Every year I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to shoot family portraits for a number of great families at this beautiful beach.
The best part about shooting at Point Pleasant beach from the photographer perspective is the number of unique places that we can find just within a few blocks.
If you live in this area, the beach is probably a huge part of your life. I know while I was growing up, it was where I wanted to be as much as possible. So for a lot of families, the Point Pleasant is a meaningful spot. It conjures up memories of childhood, family vacations, fun, excitement, maybe romance, and a lot of other great experiences.
In addition to all that shore history, Point Pleasant is a spot I love as a photographer. There is so many options.
Of course, the beach itself is great. There are natural rock jetties to pose on, a great pier by Jenkinsons for a backdrop, and fireworks at night if you’re looking for something more unique.
It’s also one of the few beaches in NJ that maintains palm trees right on the beach itself!
But the beach isn’t all that Point Pleasant has to offer for great family photos.
The Boardwalk
I love shooting family photos on the boardwalk. Whether your kids are young or old, they probably love the boardwalk. Games, rides, arcades…all great locations for fun portraits that are often overlooked by many photographers that just go for the same old posed shots. That’s not my style at all.
I want to make sure we capture the real emotion, excitement, and personality of the kids (and the adults too). You may not realize it at first, but your most treasured photos hanging on your wall will be the ones you never planned. Places like the boardwalk, the games, and the arcade are perfect places to have some fun, maybe win a big stuffed animal, and create some great images to decorate your home for many years.
Sunset Views at The Inlet
One of the underrated parts of shooting at Point Pleasant Beach is the sunset views by the inlet.
We’re on the east coast here and no one likes getting up early for sunrise, especially if the whole family is involved! So sunset views aren’t easy to come by. But if you catch it at the right time, you can get some beautiful sunsets by the inlet.
In addition to the great views, there are always boats headed out to the ocean and back in again. If the timing is right you can incorporate one of the cooler-looking boats into your photos.
“How does this work?” is right up there with “what should we wear?” for the most popular questions I get asked.
Were you just about to ask that?
Don’t worry, it’s all here.
Here is what you can expect if you book a family portrait session with me.
1. Book Your Date
First things first, let’s get that date booked for the shoot.
Contact me via email, phone, or the contact form right here on my website.
There’s no obligation to book a session at that point so feel free to contact me and ask questions about whatever you want to know from locations to pricing to print products that I offer. I try to put as much info as I can here on the website but there are always new questions that I haven’t thought of and I am happy to answer them.
At this point if you decide to go forward and book a session, we can work out a date right there and then. I do most of my outdoor sessions within a few hours of sunset so that you can have the best possible lighting conditions. Because I want to make sure every client has the opportunity to get great conditions, I rarely book more than two portrait sessions in a day.
Not all sessions have to be outside at sunset though. I work with flash gear as well to ensure you get the best photos in any condition. If you had something else in mind, just ask.
Most clients typically book on weekends so those dates tend to go faster.
After you choose a date, I’ll send you an email with the session fee and payment options. You can pay by credit card right from your smartphone or computer or you can mail a check.
2. Pre-shoot Design Session
I don’t know if a lot of photographers do this but I think it’s the most important part.
Every client and every photo session is unique. When we have the pre-shoot consult, which I call the “Design Session,” we will talk about your expectations, the type of images you want to create, and where you want to hang the photos in your home (as well as any other questions you might have).
We can do this in your home, over the phone, or even at meet at a cafe or coffee shop. But if you are looking to decorate your home with photos of your family, then meeting at your home and showing me the space where you want to hang the photos can be very helpful.
I’ll also ask you for a photo of the wall or walls where you plan on hanging the photos (or take it myself if I’m there). Read on and you’ll see why this is an important step to make sure you get exactly what you need for your home.
I want to make sure we create the kind of images you had in mind. We will talk about locations for your shoot, wardrobe choices, poses, the style of images you want to create, and anything else that we can do to make your images uniquely you.
At this point, we can also schedule a time after the shoot for me to show you the photos. More about that later…
3. Portrait Session
This is the fun part.
At this point, we’ve figured out a great plan for the shoot so all you have to do is show up.
My portrait sessions are always fun. We had (almost) everyone showing their mean faces in this one!
Most portrait sessions take 45-90 minutes (mostly depending on the attention spans of the kids…or the adults), but I block off two hours for every portrait shoot. If we are doing the shoot in the evening for that great sunset light, I only book one shoot per evening, so if you are having fun and want to try making some nighttime images, let’s go for it!
If you think you need more time, we can always work that out ahead of time.
We will meet at the location and take a few minutes to go over the plan and I’ll try to point out the spots that we are going to go to first. Depending on the location, we may stay in one smaller area or we may be covering a lot of ground, but you’ll know all that ahead of time.
Young kids have short attention spans so I’ll get all the shots that involve posing done first, after that it’s best to let the kids have some fun and get those candid photos that everyone loves.
4. View Your Photos and Purchase Wall Art Pieces and Prints
The shoot is the fun part, but this is the exciting part.
I’ll come to your house and either plug into your TV or use my laptop to let you view all the photos.
We’ll start with a slide show of all the photos, so you can sit back, maybe grab a drink, and enjoy the photos. Most of my clients ask to see the slideshow twice!
After that, we will go through them one by one and you can pick your favorites.
Then the exciting part.
At this point, we will use some really cool design software and let you see exactly how your favorite photos will look on your wall. I can even show you exactly to scale what a specific size print will look like on your wall. This can be incredibly useful when you want to incorporate new wall art into existing pieces already on the wall or if you want to create a cluster or collage of various sizes to fill the wall space.
Wall clusters are the most popular choice.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take a look at physical examples of canvas, metal, and acrylic prints.
Once you choose exactly what you want, we can place the order right there to minimize any delays in getting your pictures on your wall.
5. Enjoy Your Photos For Many Years
If I did everything right then this part will be easy!
I use a high quality professional photo lab to create all my prints and wall art. I also have all my gear color calibrated to the specs of the print lab so there are so surprise red faces or purple skies (unless you like purple skies…then we can totally do that). This ensures that you get the best quality available to pro photographers and prints and wall art created by highly skilled photo technicians. These prints are archive quality and will last long enough to pass down to future generations.
I personally inspect every piece that my clients order to ensure there are no defects. If there are, I deal directly with the lab to ensure you get a perfect final product, even if I have to order another print, canvas, or metal print at my cost.
After that I will deliver them to your home and even provide wall mounting for you if you need some help with that. My goal is to ensure that your photos look their best hanging on your wall and to do everything I can to make that happen.
As a NJ family photographer…shooting portrait sessions at the beach are among my favorite.
Every summer I get the opportunity to shoot family and individual portraits at the amazing Jersey Shore beaches.
My Jersey Shore Beach Photography Sessions
The pure joy of winning a prize at the boardwalk games.
I shoot a number of beach sessions every year and we always have a great time whether it’s on the sand, in the water, or even playing games on the boardwalk.
So I wanted to write this post and let everyone know all about them.
Beach sessions are by far my most popular and book up quickly.
The best times to shoot at the beach are right before sunset or just at sunrise. Those are the times when light is just right to make everyone look their best.
Since getting the whole family up before the sunrise is pretty much impossible, the sunset time slots are certainly the most sought after.
Any beach with a boardwalk is perfect for a family portrait. Even after the sun goes down, there are plenty of incredible photo opportunities. We can spend some time playing boardwalk games. We can hang out inside the arcade and get some cool action shots playing skeeball. We can even get on the rides and try some creative photos with all the boardwalk lights.
The beach is also perfect for larger groups or big families. There is always enough room for everyone.
What Makes Jersey Shore Photography Unique
There are a lot of things that make a beach portrait unique. The setting itself is almost always beautiful, but there are some difficulties.
The weather conditions are usually more extreme near the ocean. If it’s windy at home, you an be there will be a lot of wind at the beach. With the wind comes sand and mist off the ocean which can really affect both you and the camera itself. There’s nothing worse than finishing a portrait session and then finding out your photographer’s lens was covered in mist spraying off the ocean!
Light is another important concern. The beach is very different from a photography studio. It’s important for your photographer to understand the light and know how to make it better. Natural light can look great but it is not dependable. I make sure to always have multiple flashes available (yes even out there on the sand) so that a dull sky doesn’t result in dull photos.
If you want your family portrait at the beach, it is important to have a photographer that has experience with beach photography.
Just because the conditions are tough doesn’t mean you should settle for average photos.
Wall art from your beach photos is the perfect addition to any home.
I’ve done a lot of beach sessions. When done right, a family photo at the beach is something that you’ll want hanging in your home for years.
Beach Photos Should Be Fun!
The key to great beach photos is to have fun. No one ever goes to the beach and doesn’t have fun! So when I bring clients to the beach for their photos, we have fun. Especially with kids, if everyone isn’t enjoying themselves, then the pictures will show it. But if they are having fun, then we are going to capture authentic emotion.
The Jersey Shore beaches have always been special places to me growing up and it is the same for many families whether they are locals or come down here on summer vacation. So my goal is to give my clients a photography experience at the beach that leaves them with great memories as well as beautiful photos to hang on their walls.
It’s also important to dress appropriately for the beach. Remember that the sand is all one color, so if your clothes are the same color, we might lose you in the photo! Don’t be afraid to add a little color to your wardrobe to stand out. Check out my What To Wear Guide for some more tips on that.
Capture What Makes You and Your Family Unique
Authenticity is important to me. I want to capture a family’s real personality. If you want a couple more formal posed shots, no problem, we can do that too and make it look great. But we are going to have some fun too. I’ll get those candid moments in between shots too. Those always tend to be the favorites.
If you liked this post about my annual beach sessions or know someone that is looking for a jersey shore photographer, use the social media buttons below and share with friends. Thanks!
If you would like to chat about having your own custom-designed and planned family portrait session on the beach, use the form below to get in touch…
As a New Jersey portrait photographer that works primarily in Monmouth, Ocean, and Mercer counties, it can be pretty important for me to know the best photo spots in those areas for my clients.
So if you are looking for a great spot for your next photography session or looking for the perfect engagement photo location, I hope this helps you find a great spot.
If you want to learn more about my Jersey Shore photo sessions, CLICK HERE.
1. Asbury Park, NJ
There is no specific spot listed here for Asbury Park because the entire stretch of shore-front in this town is the perfect setting for individual and family portraits. It’s as if someone took a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood and dropped it off at the beach to enjoy the sun. You can start the day at Convention Hall. It’s an amazing piece of architecture that sits right on the boardwalk. As long as it’s not too crowded when you are there, this can serve as a great backdrop for some group photos.
Take a short walk south and you’ll get to the Asbury Park Casino which is now just a shell of the old building but the doorways right on the boardwalk work great for framing portraits. It will give your photos an interesting cross between the casual beach and urban looks. Head back north along the boardwalk and you can’t miss the amazing murals on the sides of the buildings. Some photos leaning up against these walls will make others think it was a high end, on location, fashion shoot.
You can’t miss the Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen rose to popularity. If you have any interest in the history of rock and roll, you’ll want to try and feature this location in some of your photos. Vintage shops, restaurants, and bars like the Wonder Bar round out the rest of the great photo spots in this town.
2. Long Branch Beach – Long Branch, NJ
Long Branch Beach is like a tiny taste of Miami on the Jersey Shore. Ok, so it can’t compare to the real thing but with the addition of Pier Village and some high-end hotels, there is a decidedly modern feel to this part of the Jersey Shore.
Long Branch Beach has a lot of great opportunities for unique images. During this shoot there were huge tide pools for the kids to play in.
Start on the boardwalk to the right of McLoone’s. There is a gazebo that is frequented by weddings and portrait photographers alike. Most of the construction in this area is very new and looks amazing in photos. The gazebo is great for framing a family group shot or even just one of the kids dangling their legs off the boardwalk over the sand.
Moving onto the beach, it is like most beaches in the area. There is a nice jetty for some background elements. It can get a little crowded during busy times so be aware that you may have to do some creative framing to isolate your subjects from the rest of the crowd.
As the sun goes down, move back onto the boardwalk where there are a couple of outdoor nightclubs that make for excellent blurred light backgrounds. If your photographer has some skill with flash photography then you can get some beautiful “Miami-esque” shots with these bars and clubs in the background.
You can check out some of my Long Branch family portrait shoots HERE.
3. Spring Lake – Spring Lake, NJ
No, I didn’t accidentally write the name of the town twice! The lake itself in this beautiful town is also named Spring Lake. Just a few blocks off the beach is a pristine lake that is the perfect setting for family photos.
Also located here is St. Catherine’s church. While more of an attraction for wedding photos this spot is nonetheless a great spot for family portraits as well. If you are luck with some interesting skies during sunrise or sunset then the background of the church can make for an incredibly dramatic photo.
Just across the street is the lake itself. You can start on the side of the lake under some of the trees or on a park bench. However, what I love about this location is the bridges. There are a couple very interestingly designed bridges crossing over sections of the lake. Whether you stand in the middle of the bridge to frame the shot or opt for an angle looking over the bridge, you can’t go wrong.
PRO TIP: Try a bunch of different poses and angles on these bridges, they are beautiful and interesting from any side and you’ll want to make sure you get some shots you like. Ask your photographer to help you plan out some ideas ahead of time. I make sure I talk to all my clients in a pre-shoot consultation so we can have a plan going into the shoot and they get exactly what they want hanging up on their walls.
4. Allaire State Park – Wall Township, NJ
Allaire is a park that has all the standard “park things” but then throws you a surprise like a big old train right in the middle of the park! Its a really cool place and although you may need to do a little driving to hit all the great spots, it’s well worth it.
Antique buildings are always a great place because they give your photos a timeless feel.
Allaire is the first place I would suggest to someone that wants a woodsy feel to their photos. Not only is it a huge park with many places to choose and trails to explore, but there are also a number of very unique spots in Allaire. There is the Historic Village with a number of very old homes and buildings that are perfect for that old country feel to your images. You can also visit the Museum of Transportation and have your shoot in front of the trains. If all that isn’t enough, then bring a picnic basket and a blanket and stage the perfect family picnic for your family portrait. Bring some actual food though, Allaire is big and your photographer may get hungry!
PRO TIP: Allaire is also a great place to go for winter family portraits. Many of the spots that look good for photos are accessible by car without much walking so it is perfect to visit after a snowfall. You can make some images that look like something out of a movie.
5. Gateway National Recreation Area – Sandy Hook, NJ
This covered a big area and there are a number of options you can take to shoot at Sandy Hook. But all of them are good options!
If you are interested in history, you should check out Fort Hancock, home to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. There is, of course, the lighthouse itself. You can climb to the top for a great scenic overlook.
More interesting to me is the small group of homes that dot the area. Of special note is officers row, a group of houses perfectly lined up along the water’s edge. During sunrise and sunset, they make for quite a dramatic background. Also interesting are the concrete bunkers built along the beach in some areas. You have to take a very short hike to get to some of them but that is something that you don’t typically see in a family photo. If you are a family of history buffs or a military family, you will definitely find this area interesting.
There is more to Sandy Hook. As well as Fort Hancock, it has some beautiful public beaches. For those in northern Monmouth County, this would be a great choice. There are plenty of areas where you can get more “traditional” beach photos, such as lifeguard stands, lifeguard rowboats with the beach’s name on it, jetties, and even some areas of tidal pools if you’re lucky. These are great for getting some very cool reflection shots.
6. Navesink River – Red Bank, NJ
Red Bank along the Navesink has almost a New England kind of feel to it.
You can start off right in the streets of Red Bank. With brick sidewalks in some areas and beautiful buildings, it is the perfect combination of city and seaside. Then you can head down to the marina. I would suggest shooting there during sunrise or sunset to capture some dramatic images and beautiful skies against the backdrop of the boats.
Before the sun sets and the light goes away, find a spot where you can take some photos riverside.
7. Keansburg Amusement Park – Keansburg, NJ
This is the classic old school looking amusement park that really lends itself to great photography.
Before heading to the amusement park, you can visit the fishing pier for some interesting “under the pier” photos. But don’t spend too much time there because the real beauty of this location is in the amusement park. It doesn’t have the most up to date rides and games. Some would even call it a little old. But when it comes to making beautiful and interesting photos, that is exactly why Keansburg is a great spot.
It’s almost as if it got trapped in time around the 80s or 90s. Those who grew up then and now are raising kids of their own will feel right at home. The classic look will add a movie like quality to the images. A good photographer can use these elements as part of the portrait rather than just background. Get there as the sun goes down and the lights on the rides and games go on and you might end up with some unique and special family photos.
I am a huge advocate of candid photos when kids (and other family members) are just having fun and being themselves. They are the most authentic.
8. Turkey Swamp Park – Freehold, NJ
Turkey Swamp Park is one of those places I never heard of or thought to shoot at until I visited it and saw all the great locations. Turkey Swamp Park is 2,266 acres of wooded areas, trails, and playgrounds. There is also a 17-acre lake where you frequently find people boating and fishing. It’s the quintessential spot in central Monmouth County for a nature or park styled photoshoot.
While it is a great place to have photos taken at any time of the year when the weather is nice, this place really stands out in the Fall. The combination of the lake and beautiful Fall colors can be a perfect setting for your family photos. Just make sure you have dressed appropriately. The reflections of the leaves on the lake just add to the magic. The many trails will let you find a secluded spot away from the crowds too.
9. Manasquan Inlet – Manasquan, NJ
Since we live on the east coast, it can be hard to find a good place to see a stunning sunset. This is one of them. If you go to the Manasquan Inlet and head back inland along the inlet, you will discover Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area. Aside from being a cool park and a gathering place for dog owners, this is an amazing place to watch the sun set. Portrait and landscape photographers both love this place.
Before the sun sets, make sure to visit the beach and get some photos along the jetty by the inlet. If the lifeguards have left you can use the downed lifeguard stand as a perfect prop to lean on. If Manaquan is a little too calm for you, remember, Point Pleasant is just across the inlet.
10. Point Pleasant Beach and Boardwalk – Point Pleasant, NJ
Heading south from many of the spots above into Ocean County and you’ll get to my favorite boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Residents and out of town visitors all love this place, and it’s just an awesome location for family or individual portraits, I would be doing a disservice to you if I left it out!
First, let’s talk about the beach. It has all the characteristics you would want on a beach for family or individual portraits. It has palm trees. These are not abundant in New Jersey, even at the Jersey Shore.
Start out down by the inlet, just across from our previous location in Manasquan. If you are there on a weekend (which is when I do most of my shoots) then it will be less crowded over there. You can get some cool images near and around the palm trees. For the most part, they keep these palm trees in great condition considering this isn’t exactly a tropical climate.
Then head down to the water. Over by the inlet, there is a jetty that you can sit on. I like to have a family with older kids all sit on different rocks on the jetty and try to look cool. They either succeed in looking cool and it’s an epic photo or they all crack up from trying to look cool and its a beautiful family moment. Either way, it works.
As you walk back towards Jenkinson’s, you can get some great photos with the pier and the bustling boardwalk in the background. Don’t end it there, though. Once back on the boardwalk, you have even more options. Point Pleasant is one of the iconic boardwalks in New Jersey, so don’t miss out on it. Everything from rides and games to arcades and ice cream stands are right there for the perfect summer vacation feel in your photos. You can even try to get some shots playing skee ball.
Talk to your photographer about getting some unique photos here. Whether you are a local or on vacation and want some professional photos to commemorate the occasion, the boardwalk is the perfect place for that family portrait.
PRO TIP: Let the kids play some games and go on the rides, especially if you are there as the sunsets. A skilled photographer can make some amazing images with all the flashing lights and the looks of happiness and joy on your kid’s faces will be genuine rather than the forced, “Ok now everyone says cheese…”
Do you have a favorite portrait photo spot in Monmouth or Ocean County? Let me know.
You’ve got the session booked but you have no idea what to wear for a family photo shoot!?
“What should we wear” is the most common question I hear from my clients.
It’s important, but it doesn’t have to be all that difficult.
Just use these basic guidelines and your whole family will look great.
Think About It Ahead of Time
A family portrait is an investment. You are investing your time and money to create a lasting piece of artwork that will hopefully be hanging on your wall for years to come. Don’t wait until the night before to pick out some clothes for everyone in the family.
Your photographer is a great resource. Don’t forget to use them. I am not an expert on fashion, but I can tell you what colors look great together in photos, what patterns look weird, and whether the outfit you picked seems to be a good fit for the type of portrait you had in mind. Some of my clients even send me photos of potential outfits they have chosen for their kids or themselves. I am always happy to take a look and offer some insight. In fact, it almost always turns out that the discussion makes the portrait better overall. Even if I don’t suggest any changes to the clothes, it helps me know the kind of look the client is going for and I can plan accordingly.
Good communication always produces better results and the same is true when choosing what to wear.
Show Off Your Family’s Style
Your family or individual portrait is about you and/or your family. Make sure the results reflect that. Many of my clients give great consideration to the location, making sure its a place that means something to them, but they forget to do the same with their attire. If your family personality is jeans and hooded sweatshirts, then go for it! There is no rule that a portrait has to be formal. In fact, choosing clothes that reflect who you are will result in better photos that have more meaning to you.
Try To Coordinate Instead of Match
Everyone in the family does not have to have matching shirts. They don’t even have to be wearing the same color, although that can work really well. However, it is important that the colors and styles go together. This is one specific area where your photographer can help. Selecting colors that go well together is something every good photographer should be well versed in. If you want to learn more about how different colors blend together, do a web search for “color theory in photography.” It can be a little technical, which is why its helpful to ask your photographer, but just a little knowledge on the subject can go a long way.
You also want the styles of clothing to go together. Don’t dress the children in more formal clothing and then have the adults in jeans and a t-shirt. Again, this doesn’t mean everyone should be wearing the same thing, just that you should give some consideration to whether or not they belong in a photo together.
Be Comfortable
You can’t look your best if you are uncomfortable. Especially with young kids, you may want to rethink the elaborate and potentially uncomfortable outfits and go with something that the kids will want to wear for more than 15 minutes. Also, keep in mind that the best photos of children usually happen when they are unaware of the camera and just playing and being themselves. Uncomfortable clothes prevent that from happening.
Avoid Crazy Colors
Have a neon green shirt that you love? Maybe leave it out of the family portrait. Ok, so its not the 80s anymore and the chances of a family showing up to a portrait session completely decked out in neon colors is pretty slim, BUT I feel like I should mention it. Even if it isn’t neon, some really bold colors just don’t work all that great on camera.
If you plan to go with some really bold colors, let your photographer know. I would never tell a client that can’t wear colors that they want, but if I know ahead of time, there are certain things I can do to (mostly with the way I will light the shots) to make sure the photos turn out the way you want them to.
Keep The Designs Simple
Keep it simple! Your family or individual portrait should be about you, not about the clothes. Crazy patterns or huge logos turn it into a photo of the outfit rather than a photo of the person. This might be great if you’re modeling for a fashion designer, but not really what you want for the family photo canvas on your wall.
Get Clothes that Fit
This goes without saying for the adults, but it is also important to keep this in mind for the kids too. It’s pretty common to buy clothes a little oversized so that your children can grow into them. Try to avoid that when choosing kids’ clothes for the portrait. You don’t want big baggy clothes on the kids for that canvas that will be hanging over the fireplace for the next 10 years. Too small is no good either, but that is usually more obvious.
The Location
When choosing the clothes, remember to take into consideration where the shoot will be taking place. Shorts and t-shirts may look great on the beach, but not so much in a park with the leaves changing colors. Similarly, jeans and sweaters look out of place on the beach, even if you are shooting at the Jersey Shore in November.
You also want to consider the colors in the location you are shooting. A beach, for example, is mostly neutral colors like beige sand and light blue water and sky, so you can add some bold colors to your wardrobe and it will look great. But add those same bold accents to a fall shoot with orange, red, and yellow leaves and you will have the opposite effect. Your goal should be to make the people in the photo stand out against the background.
If you need some help finding a great location in Monmouth County, check out my Top 10 Portrait Spots.
Add Accents
Bold colors are great and can really add a dynamic look to a portrait. But too much of a bold color can dominate a photo and take the attention away from the people in it. This is why I always encourage my clients to pick neutral colors to wear and add bold colored accents such as a scarf for women, a shirt that is covered by a blazer or jacket for men, or a bold pair of shorts with a more subdued shirt. There are probably hundreds more options that you can think of. Feel free to add a comment below to share your ideas.
I hope this helps you plan for your next family portrait. You can learn more about my portrait sessions HERE.
If you think there is something I can add to this list or you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
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