It seems like there isn’t a time I don’t like looking at photos taken on the beach. Personally, I love everything about the beach. Years ago, I was a sun worshipper and spent very long days basting and turning under the Jersey rays. That was until the big sun cancer scare. Now, I am pretty much limited to cooking my skin to a few short days. I do, however, do many beach sessions on the beach of families and children.
As a professional photographer, my greatest fear is damage done to the camera by sand. As careful as I can possibly be, I photograph families without ever letting my camera touch the ground or come in contact with towels, client’s purses or any thing that can attract those miniscule pieces of danger. I wear my camera around my neck rather than use a tripod. I never, ever, change lenses on the beach. I don’t bring a camera bag on the beach. I put on my lens of choice at home, a fill flash and an 8 or 16 gb card. Making sure I have fresh batteries, I venture out to make awesome photos about an hour before sunset.
Upon completion of the session, the camera does not get cleaned off until I get home. Opening the trunk and exposing the inside of the camera to any possible sand blowing is a huge no-no in my book.
So, what if you would love to take vacation photos on the beach? Here are my recommendations. First, put your camera in something clean other than a camera bag. I always suggest bringing a small plastic soft cooler. The kind that you might take your lunch in. It must have a zipper.
Take the camera out to take some photos with clean dry hands and immediately zip the cooler back up. Have fun taking close ups and cool angles. Watch for sun glare. If you have to move to one side to have your subject stop squinting, I would do so. Watch for people in the background.
Try if you can to not use the zoom feature if you don’t have to. Sand is everywhere and if any gets in the motorized area of your camera, your trip just got very expensive. The price to fix the camera may be close to getting a new one!
After taking photos, immediately put the camera back in the soft sided cooler. Place cooler out of the sun. Batteries melt. It is best not to put your camera in with the towels because someone always needs a towel!
Years ago, it was very common to take photographs on the beach. I have photographs of my grandfather wearing one of those one piece men’s suits! Of course I wasn’t born then, but it is definitely cool to see style trends of that era. Then for a very long time, no one brought their cameras to the beach. Thankfully, the fear has died down a bit and I am seeing more and more fun pictures of beach vacations.
Remember to treat your camera carefully with the right common sense. You will be rewarded with great memories for yourself and treasures to pass on for years.
Questions? Email me at my studio… Lerephoto@gmail.com . Follow the studio craziness on Facebook @ Donna Lere Photographer or for even more madness, follow my ramblings on Twitter @donnalerephoto.
