When Is the Best Time to Schedule Your Beach Photo Session?

Timing makes a huge difference in how your photos turn out. From lighting and crowds to comfort and mood, choosing the right time can elevate your session from “nice” to breathtaking.

🌞 Golden Hour Is Your Friend

The golden hour — about an hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset — produces soft, warm light that flatters every skin tone and reduces harsh shadows on faces.

• Sunset sessions are especially popular because they give gorgeous, glowing light and often aren’t too early for kids.

• Sunrise sessions offer quieter beaches with fewer people — great if you want a more intimate feel.

☀️ Avoid Midday Sun

Midday sun (around 10 AM–4 PM) is bright and harsh. It can make subjects squint and create strong shadows — not ideal if you’re aiming for a clean, timeless look. A lot of times, parents think this is a good time for kids because it’s before bedtime, but really, the harsh sun makes kids cranky. No one wants to be blinded by the sun, it’s not enjoyable.

🌤️ Plan for the Conditions

• Check the weather forecast — overcast days can still produce lovely lighting. (I do this for you, and keep you up to date!)

• Look up the tide/wind schedule — low tide gives you more sandy space and creative posing options. Here in NJ we are very lucky with the ocean always meeting our expectations for a good session. But sometimes, the wind plays a huge part in the bugs. Since some beaches are a walking distance away from the bay, a westerly wind could bring those pesky bugs from the bay to the ocean!

Pro tip: Ask your photographer to help pick the best start time based on the specific date and location — sunset times change throughout the year! I always check my apps to make sure we schedule the perfect time of day for your session. Trust me, I see the sunset almost every night!

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Summer and early fall dates fill quickly. Sunset sessions are limited each evening to ensure the best light and experience.

If you have been thinking about updating your family portraits, this is your sign. Working with Lauren from Bokeh Love Photography, a trusted New Jersey beach photographer ensures your images feel joyful, refined, and deeply personal.

Begin your photography planning here:
http://newjerseybeachphotographer.com

Looking for inspiration? Check out some of our past beach sessions:
Magic of Generations: Extended Family Beach Portraits
Beach Portraits at the Ventnor Fishing Pier
Extended Family Beach Session

The Ultimate Guide to What to Wear for Your Family Beach Photo Session

Wear for Your Family Beach Photo Session? Planning outfits for your beach session can feel overwhelming — but with a little strategy, it doesn’t have to be. The right clothes not only look great in photos, but also help your family feel comfortable and confident during your session.

🎨 1. Pick a Color Palette

Choose 2–3 colors that coordinate well together and with the beach setting — soft blues, creams, neutrals, and pastels photograph beautifully against sand and water. Avoid neon tones and big logos that can distract from your family’s faces.

👕 2. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Matching outfits aren’t necessary! Let each family member wear something within the same palette so photos feel cohesive — but still natural and relaxed.

🩴 3. Choose Comfortable Fabrics

Beach sessions often involve wind, sand, and movement. Breathable fabrics like cotton or linen are excellent choices, and flowy dresses, tops, or shirts can add beautiful motion to your photos.

👣 4. Think About Footwear

Barefoot photos offer a classic beach feel, but sandals or simple shoes work too — just avoid anything too formal or heavy that will sink into the sand. We will be using the beach path leading down to the beach, and sometimes it is rocky. Something easy you can remove once we get to the sand is idea.

💡 5. Accessory Tips

Minimal accessories like simple hats or bracelets add a personal touch without pulling focus. Avoid large, bulky jewelry or anything that could get lost in the sand. But also think, that this is a great idea if you don’t know what to do with your hands, you can always play with your necklace.

Quick Tip: Try outfits on ahead of time and make sure everyone can move comfortably — sitting, walking, or playing.

Ready to plan your session with Bokeh Love Photography? Click here! 

Want to see some past sessions? Check them out below!
New Jersey Beach Photographer | Bokeh Love Photography
Extended Family Portraits at the Beach
The Cape May Lighthouse Family Portraits

Having your family session on Avalon Beach is a wise decision for a few major reasons! I am going to list them below, and you should totally trust me, because, well, I’m a professional!

1. A Family Session on Avalon Beach is perfect because the beaches are clean, and the sand is soft!
I know, I know! You’re probably asking yourself, “wait a minute, aren’t ALL beaches clean and soft?” Well, yes, the answer is definitely yes, but, not all sand feels the same. It’s hard to explain really, but there is something just so nice about walking on the Avalon beaches. The sand is finer, and well, that means softer. There aren’t as many shells here. Yes, there are shells, but not like you would find in North Atlantic City, which is near the inlet, and you can see Brigantine just over the water. The shells get stuck there! So, If you are looking for shells, maybe N. Atlantic City is the spot for you, but if you’re looking for soft sand, I recommend Avalon for sure!

2. The dunes are pretty.
Silly right? I mean, not if you’re looking for a beautiful location for your portraits! I try to scope out ALLLL of the gorgeous locations solely based on beach grass! Not only is it an opportunity to educate your children on our natural eco system, and how the beach grass thrives and helps animals have shelter, and help keep the dunes solid with their roots… it also looks really nice in pictures! I say YES to Avalon’s beach grass. It’s just picture perfect!

3. Avalon Beaches have amazing beach paths!
Seriously! They go on for what feels like forever! But it’s a good forever, almost like you’re on an adventure to get to some magical location… THE BEACH of course! And the walk back isn’t that bad either. The vegetation is pretty high, so it shades us from the harsh sun! That’s why I like to start on the path and work my way down to the beach. See? I have a method to my madness!

4. There is usually ALWAYS a beach cruiser to photograph!
Listen, these bikes are pretty cool. You have to admit, they’re just asking to be used as a prop! So long as we are respectful, we don’t touch it (because it’s not ours!), we can photograph them and stand in front of them, all day long!

5. After your session there are SO MANY ICE CREAM SHOPS!
Who doesn’t LOVE ice cream? And let’s talk about variety for just one moment. If you want homemade ice cream, or soft serve, Jimmies or a waffle cone, heck, they even have a spot that serves acai bowls and dole whip! You just have to figure out what you want to eat after your session! I know right, tough choice!

With all of that said, check out this super adorable Family Session on Avalon Beach! This family has been a part of the BLP Family for some time now, actually since the Mom and Dad were engaged! How about that! I have watched their little ones grow up and their family grow and it has been a beautiful experience for me as their photographer, and not only that, they’re become my friends. I am proud to say that I absolutely love what I do. Someone once told me, that if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life! When I tell you that’s not a lie, it most certainly is not!

Cheers to friendship, beautiful photography and growing families!

Love Avalon Beach? Check out these other amazing Avalon Beach Family Sessions:
Icona Avalon Family Session
Avalon Beach Portraits