Amy’s Family Portraits in Capitola
One of the great things about living in the Bay Area is that there are so many BEAUTIFUL places for portrait sessions. Being by the water, there are a lot of great beaches to shoot at; and perhaps my favorite beach is near the Capitola Wharf. Here are some of the fun and candid images we captured of Amy’s family portraits in Capitola.
Family Portraits Are Easier Than You Think – Trust Me
Let’s be honest, having a camera pointed at your face can be a little awkward. You don’t know what you look like, how to pose and most people are a little self conscience about how they may look. I am the same way! This is why the main focus of all of my family portrait sessions are to capture fun and candid moments that feel unposed.
There are many ways that I look to capture natural images; and it really depends on the demographics of the group. Amy’s children are 2, 6, 9, and 11. For children that are between 2 and 4, you can generally get them smiling and having fun by tickling them, tossing them in the air, or spinning them around in a circle. I have a bunch of go-to tricks to get them to open; and it works about 99% of the time 🙂 With older kids, asking them funny questions about the other members of the family is usually a good way to get them smiling and being themselves. An impromptu race on the beach also works 🙂
Sunset Is The Best Time For Beach Sessions
A common misconception is that the best time to take portraits is when it is REALLY sunny outside. This is actually not the case! Sun is good, but it depends on how high it is in the sky. When the sun is low in the sky (sunrise and sunset), it creates soft and flattering light. But when it is high in the sky, in the middle of the day, it can create harsh and unflattering lighting. There are ways around this, in most situations, but since most beaches do not have shade in the middle of the day – beach sessions are usually limited to when the sun is low in the sky. PRO TIP: cloudy days are also really great for outdoor portraits 😉
If you are looking to take family portraits, I would love to connect with you. The best way to reach out to me is through the contact form on my website. Thanks!
