OC Beach Portrait Tips
Managing local assessment fees, local tides and the unique opportunities each of the various beaches are key activities a professional Orange County photographer must do to provide his clients with stunning beach portraits.
Fees The operators of some of the best OC photography beaches are well aware of their attraction for photographers.
An example of a terrific beach for taking portraits that charges is Crystal Cove State Park located a couple miles west of Newport Coast.
To bring in extra money to pay for their operations, they require a professional photographer to pay a fee each time they shoot on the beach.
Obtaining the license takes time.
Therefore, if your client wishes to book a session there within the week, you may not have time to obtain the license and should so advise the client.
Additionally, unless your business strategy allows you to recoup this fee by marking up your prices, you should advise your client that they will be responsible for the fee if they choose that particular beach.
Local Tides Most beach locations have a number of terrific settings in which to shoot.
However, many a photographer has arrived at her destination and to her horror realized that to utilize the terrific backdrop she had in mind her client must stand in three feet of water (please do not suggest that your clients do this - unless that is the look you want and it is the last pose of the day!).
When you are at a beach and are observing the available opportunities, note the time of day and the date on which you observed these opportunities.
Then, when you get home you will be able calculate roughly how high the tide was at that time and find the time of day the tide will roughly be the same height on the day of your shoot.
This will made for a more relaxing experience for both the photographer and her client.
Unique Beach Portrait Opportunities Before shooting at a particular location for the first time, identify the locations that will provide the look you are seeking.
Visit the location and note the terrain.
Visit the blogs of other photographers and see what has worked for them when shooting in that particular location.
For example, at Woods Cove in Laguna Beach there is a terrific stone wall which many photographer use as a backdrop.
The wall provides a rustic look that works well with black and white and sepia prints.
At Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach, there is a stone walkway which is surrounded by flowers much of the year.
This is a perfect spot to take shoot a standing couple or a sitting toddler.
At Victoria beach there is a stone structure that looks like the tower from a medieval European castle.
A terrific shot for this involves the subjects stand below the tower while the shot is taken from a distance.
Preparation is the key to a successful OC beach portrait session.
A professional photographer should manage the local fees, local tides and unique location opportunities!
Fees The operators of some of the best OC photography beaches are well aware of their attraction for photographers.
An example of a terrific beach for taking portraits that charges is Crystal Cove State Park located a couple miles west of Newport Coast.
To bring in extra money to pay for their operations, they require a professional photographer to pay a fee each time they shoot on the beach.
Obtaining the license takes time.
Therefore, if your client wishes to book a session there within the week, you may not have time to obtain the license and should so advise the client.
Additionally, unless your business strategy allows you to recoup this fee by marking up your prices, you should advise your client that they will be responsible for the fee if they choose that particular beach.
Local Tides Most beach locations have a number of terrific settings in which to shoot.
However, many a photographer has arrived at her destination and to her horror realized that to utilize the terrific backdrop she had in mind her client must stand in three feet of water (please do not suggest that your clients do this - unless that is the look you want and it is the last pose of the day!).
When you are at a beach and are observing the available opportunities, note the time of day and the date on which you observed these opportunities.
Then, when you get home you will be able calculate roughly how high the tide was at that time and find the time of day the tide will roughly be the same height on the day of your shoot.
This will made for a more relaxing experience for both the photographer and her client.
Unique Beach Portrait Opportunities Before shooting at a particular location for the first time, identify the locations that will provide the look you are seeking.
Visit the location and note the terrain.
Visit the blogs of other photographers and see what has worked for them when shooting in that particular location.
For example, at Woods Cove in Laguna Beach there is a terrific stone wall which many photographer use as a backdrop.
The wall provides a rustic look that works well with black and white and sepia prints.
At Shaw's Cove in Laguna Beach, there is a stone walkway which is surrounded by flowers much of the year.
This is a perfect spot to take shoot a standing couple or a sitting toddler.
At Victoria beach there is a stone structure that looks like the tower from a medieval European castle.
A terrific shot for this involves the subjects stand below the tower while the shot is taken from a distance.
Preparation is the key to a successful OC beach portrait session.
A professional photographer should manage the local fees, local tides and unique location opportunities!