How to prepare for your family beach session on Hilton Head Island, SC:

I and the many other wonderful Hilton Head photographers are always getting asked an array of questions by clients on how to best prepare for their family beach session here on Hilton Head Island, SC. I thought it would be best to compile my top tips for not only my clients but for those who are preparing for their next trip here to Hilton Head.

When scheduling a photography session, there are many things to take into account! For instance;

• What beach is best?
• What should my family and I wear?
• How many people are participating in your family beach session?
• What time does the sun rise or set?
• What about children’s bedtimes?
• What about the coastal weather?

Thankfully, I am about to give you all of the answers to these most asked questions above!

What beach is best on Hilton Head Island?

When booking a beach session with me, I do my best to cater to my Cliental and their beloved families. Depending upon where you’re staying and what you’re looking to get out of your family beach session, I always come to you! It truly is such a convenience for my clients to just be able to use the beach access at their resort, condo or private residence. Especially when booking an extended family beach session, it’s wonderful to just be able to retrieve back to the house when your turn is done and the children just want to relax or go down for their bedtime. You can’t go wrong with any of the beaches here at Hilton Head as each one uniquely has so much to offer! I know the many other wonderful photographers at Hilton Head would agree!

How many people are participating in your family beach session on Hilton Head Island?

Knowing how many people will be partaking in your family session is so important. When working with larger families, and I have worked with many! Not only is it truly a blast! But, you do need to take time into consideration. When booking me as your photographer for an extended family session, not only do I get the big group shots, I tend to work generationally! Making sure to get as many important group shots as possible. Once that has been accomplished, I break everyone into their individual families and each family receives a small mini session. Timing of these sessions is especially important, as we need to make sure that we don’t lose the light! Once the sun begins to set, it sets rather quickly!

What to wear for your beach session on Hilton Head Island?

I sincerely love when my clients ask me, “What should my family and I wear for our session?” As an added bonus, all of my clients receive an exclusive, Client Experience Guide. In that guide, it gives detailed information on how to best dress and select outfits that compliment and coordinate with one another. For best results, and also achieving the personal aesthetic for my “light and airy” brand, I always tell my clients to wear soft blues, soft greens, pastels, and neutrals. That specific color palate really gives your images a dreamy and romantic feel.

What time does the sun rise and/or set on Hilton Head Island?

Some of the best times to have your family beach session is during the infamous golden hour! The colors of the beach give off a stunning glow and at times, the water looks like glass. For sunset, golden hour occurs 1 1/2-2 hours prior to sunset. For sunrise, golden hour occurs backwards, from sunrise until about 90 minutes past that. When wanting that true, “light and airy” style to your photos, I would shoot earlier than sunset on the beach as having the sun a bit more present in your images will help to give that timeless, light and airy feel to them. In the height of summer the sun rises early, around 6:30am and sets later around 8:30pm.

What about kids bedtimes?

If you have littles with early bedtimes, then you can always have your family beach session earlier in the evening, at the start of golden hour. However, if you’re worried that may be cutting it close, I always offer other stunning Lowcountry back drops for your family session that would offer more flexibility in the timing of your session. Another great option if you have littles is to have a sunrise family beach session since little kids always tend to get an early start on the day!

What about the weather on Hilton Head Island?

Being that I’m located in a coastal area, I am always watching the weather very closely! I always let my clients know the day of what to expect as our session draws near and make weather calls a couple of short hours before. The weather here can say that there is a fifty percent chance of rain and not rain at all! Or, there can be a fast passing unexpected shower. I do my best to roll with the punches and always accommodate my clients with a complimentary rain date.

Having a family session whether on the beach or at another stunning Lowcountry location takes planning and finding a Hilton Head photographer who best fits your needs! I am so thankful for all of the wonderful families who continually entrust me to capture their families and I really hope this post has helped to guide you for your next family beach session on Hilton Head Island!

Book your next family beach session with me, today!

Enjoy some beautiful images from my recent family beach sessions!