The AirBnB is booked, new bathing suits have been ordered, and you’ve planned out every minute of your Jersey Shore beach vacation on Google Sheets down to the restaurants you’re visiting and who’s bringing what drinks to the beach on any designated day (just me?) – and then you start to entertain the idea of Jersey Shore beach photos to memorialize your family vacation. I’ve been a Jersey Shore beach photographer for years and am here to share 5 important questions to ask your photographer on your search!
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“What time of day do you like to schedule Jersey Shore beach photos?”
This is a question that will differ on your photographer and their specific style of photography. Most photographers – me included! – like to schedule sessions when the sun is lowest in the sky. Think about your last trip to the beach; if you’re like me, you put sunglasses on the second you arrived because of how bright it was. For that soft, beautiful, golden light, you’re going to want to plan for your portraits to take place 1-2 hours before sunset. Not only will the light be softer, but there will be far less people, umbrellas, and background stuff going on to distract from the focus of the portraits – your family!
I encourage families to schedule their Jersey Shore beach photos when they first arrive for their vacation; this ensures that no one shows up with a bad case of sunburn!
“Is there a specific location you prefer for Jersey Shore beach photos?”
This really depends on a few factors. Where you family is vacationing might be a big one – if you have a big group and are hoping for an extended family session, it might be easiest to keep everyone at the closest beach and have a photographer who can document your family there.
If you’re tied to the work of a particular photographer, they might specialize in a certain area of the Jersey Shore; for example, I know Cape May, Stone Harbor, and Avalon beaches like the back of my hand. Many of my families reserve their Jersey Shore beach photos with me because they want a similar look and feel to their portraits, and that really depends on the location. Wildwood beaches look much different than Cape May beaches, for example.
“What happens if it rains on our session date?”
Listen, if there is one superpower I wish I could have after all of my years as a family photographer, it would be the ability to predict and change the weather. While I don’t have that superpower, I will say that weather at the Jersey Shore can change on a dime; that’s why I like to wait until the hourly forecast becomes clear and we can look at radar to get the best picture of what’s to come for your Jersey Shore beach photos.
This is another reason why I like to schedule sessions earlier in a family’s vacation at the shore – if there is rain and we need to reschedule, we have the option of choosing a date later in the week.
“How do you approach photographing families for their Jersey Shore beach photos?”
Different strokes for different folks. It’s something that I type enough that my computer auto predicts that I’m going to type it.
Some families are into very traditional, old-school, camera-aware (everyone “CHEESE!!!”) portraits….and that’s completely and totally fine. There is a photographer for everyone! Others are more documentary style, and some are a mix of both.
You’ll want to find a photographer whose style of photography resonates with you as you schedule Jersey Shore beach photos. While I always do a “for grandma” (aka everyone smile at the camera portrait), most of how I photograph families is play based and emotive. Communicating to your photographer the type of portraits that you’re hoping for ensures that both of you are on the same page for your session!
“What experience do you have photographing large families/small children/etc?”
Photographers are generally not a jack of all trades; we focus in specific areas (branding, weddings, real estate, newborns, etc). If your Jersey Shore beach photos will be comprised of 30 people, you’ll want a photographer who specializes in large groups. If it’s just your immediate family but you have very young children, you’ll want to look for a photographer who can work efficiently with young children. Maybe it’s an engagement session? Look for a photographer who works primarily with couples!
Ask your photographer for full galleries to browse through and – I can’t say this enough – read reviews. That is the best way to get a sense of what it’s like to work with that particular photographer!
Looking to schedule Jersey Shore Beach Photos? Read these 5 top questions to ask your photographer!
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Awarded “Best Main Line Maternity Photographer” & “Best Main Line Newborn Photographer” by Main Line Parent
Veronika Paluch is an award-winning and highly sought after maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer offering luxury, organic fine art portraits and an impeccable client experience. She specializes in documenting authentic connections and simple moments of children & families and the quiet beauty of motherhood. Stripping away all of the extras – the costumes, the props, the rigid posing – leaves room for her to capture classic, timeless images that showcase love & family connection.
Veronika serves clients in her beautiful natural light studio, as well as on location throughout the Greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Exton, West Chester, Swarthmore, Media, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware.
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