5 TIPS FOR THE BEST SUNRISE BEACH PHOTOSHOOT
A photoshoot during golden hour is my favorite time to create dreamy portraits, especially if it's on a beach at sunrise! It was 5:30 on a July morning at Dewey Beach in Delaware. We arrived to find the sands completely empty, while the waves gently lapped on the shore. Meanwhile I reflected on what helps me utilize that unique light to create a wide variety of shots. So here are some tips for your next sunrise photoshoot, which can be applied to any setting, including a beach or even indoors at home!
Take portraits using back light
To me this tip is the one that will make the biggest difference. Because after all, photography is essentially about capturing the light! And the easiest way to create that soft lighting I adore is to position the subjects with the sun behind them. Combined with the warm tones of golden hour, it’s a dreamy photo waiting to be captured!
Arrive early to shoot during the entire golden hour
Make sure to be at your location early enough so that you can shoot during the entire sunrise (or sunset), around 30 minutes to 1 hour beforehand. Practically speaking, this will help you for several reasons. Firstly, you're able to assess the environment and lighting conditions, set up your scene, fix your camera settings and do test shots. Next, shooting during the full sunrise (or sunset) means the light and colors are constantly changing. And in the end, it provides you with amazing variety in your photos!
Bring multiple outfits
For your photoshoot, think about how the garments complement the colors of the sunrise or the beach landscape. Consider flowy fabrics that illustrate the light breezy feeling of summer. And once again, you want as much variety in your photos as possible. So bringing multiple outfits is an easy solution, as opposed to capturing the same model in just one outfit. In the photos below, my sister's cream crochet dress on the left echoes the warm tones of golden hour. While on the right, her beige silky skirt reflects the muted colors of the sand and morning clouds.
Set up a scene and utilize props
This tip allows you to get really creative! Because you can easily tell a story through your photos by having subjects interact with props and their surroundings. Think about a particular mood, or imagine a scene. There are countless ways to use the beach and golden light to your advantage. In this shoot, my friends and I opted for a sunrise picnic with fresh summer fruits! Anything can add visual interest, from the mix of produce laid out on the blanket, to the vintage picnic basket.
Capture movement
When I think back to my childhood beach trips, I remember how fun it was running along the sands and playing in the water. To recreate that feeling during our beach photoshoot, the girls channeled their carefree spirits and splashed around in the waves at sunrise. More ways for your subjects to create movement are playing a sport, or dancing along to music!
Tip: In order to freeze motion, use a faster shutter speed (ex: 1/500). And to blur motion, use a slower shutter speed instead (ex: 1/15). Though keep in mind that it will depend on the rest of the camera settings, so just experiment!
Bonus tip: Photograph a variety of different subject matter
While the tips in this post relate mostly to portrait photos, it's always a good idea to shoot other subjects besides your models. Take landscape photos of the sun rising above the ocean. Or capture the small details of the scene you've created. You can even play with depth of field to create more abstract images. These will also contribute to the overall story you're telling in this photo series. Just have fun with it!
