Family Photos by the Sea

— Section one

A few favourite local spots

We are spoilt for beautiful settings close to home. A few I love for family sessions:

• —Mona Vale Beach. Soft sand, gentle dunes and easy parking — lovely and relaxed for families with young children.
• —Warriewood Beach. Quieter at the southern end, with rock shelves and warm afternoon light.
• —Bilgola Beach. Calm, pretty and sheltered — a gentle choice for newborns and toddlers.
• —Newport & Bungan. Open sand and headland views, beautiful as the sun drops.
• —Long Reef & Turimetta. Wide, flat sand and rock pools at low tide — room for children to roam.
• —Not sure which suits your family? Tell me where you are based and the feel you are after, and I will suggest a spot and a time.

— Section two

The best time of day

Light is everything at the beach. The hour before sunset — golden hour — gives soft, warm, flattering light and gentle shadows. The hour just after sunrise does the same, with quieter beaches.

• —Golden hour. Plan to start around an hour before sunset and let the light soften as we go.
• —Skip midday. Avoid the middle of the day — harsh overhead sun causes squinting and strong shadows.
• —Mind the tide. A quick check of the tide helps — lower tides give more open sand and calm rock pools.

— Section three

What to wear

Coastal sessions suit soft, natural tones that sit well against sand, sea and sky.

• —Lean into cream, oatmeal, sand, sage, dusty blue, terracotta and warm rust.
• —Choose light, flowing fabrics — linen, cotton and soft knits move beautifully in the sea breeze.
• —Coordinate the family within the same palette. Tones that sit together look better than everyone matching.
• —Go barefoot — it suits the setting and keeps little ones comfortable.
• —Avoid neon brights, large logos and busy patterns; they pull the eye from your faces.

— Section four

Keeping little ones happy

The secret to relaxed family photos is letting children be children. I photograph gently, around the play, rather than asking for stiff poses.

• —Rested and fed. Come after a nap and a snack, so everyone is rested and fed.
• —A little help. Bring a favourite toy and a small treat for a happy reset if needed.
• —Follow my lead. Let me lead the games — children warm up quickly when there is no pressure to perform.
• —Keep it easy. Plan for the session to feel like a walk on the beach, not a photo shoot. The best images come from that.

— Section five

What to bring

• —Water, and a snack for the children.
• —A favourite toy or comfort item for little ones.
• —A towel and a change of clothes — sand and water happen.
• —A warm layer for after sunset, when the breeze picks up.
• —Yourself, relaxed and unhurried. I will take care of the rest.