Five years ago, my husband and I visited Turkey for the first time. Freshly married, with not a sign of baby (although we have already planned him by that time), we had all the time of the world for ourselves. One day, when we stayed as long as the sunset did, my husband set up a camera to take beach photography of us. I was never the one who liked to pose (or knew how to pose), but I was silly and careless. And a lot more casual than I am today, a first-time, always with eyes-wide opened, mother.

First photos of myself we took for the sake of this blog are pretty monotone, no charisma at all and I look so strick on them. In fact, I’m a very positive and gentle person. I hardly ever yell. Literally, happens to me once in a year. My husband figured out none of those pictures really represent me, so he suggested that I educate a bit. I tried to copy some models, some beach photography poses and nothing helped. Until I realized the future of our photoshoots depends on my inside voice only (my husband obviously knows what he’s doing).

Now let me show you what I’ve learned from my patient life partner about beach photography (and photography in general) and how you too can rock at having that pretty Instagram profile and making some family or travel journies!

The exact equipment that we use

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, but all opinions are mine and true. I won’t put anything on this page that I haven’t verified or personally used.

It’s not at all necessary that you have a high-quality camera. Especially when you’re not in a business that requires an HQ feed. But here’s what we use. Our Canon 5D Mark II is what my lifetime partner usually packs, along with the two lenses. For portraits, we use an 85 mm lens which puts a beautiful focus on a face but cannot photograph wider landscapes. However, this is our favourite lens ever because it makes so smooth and gentle photos. For landscapes and people & landscapes (read: perfect for beach photography), we use this one which can open from 24.70 mm to 70 mm (means can shoot a lot wider range).

You know they’re watching…

But learn not to care about it. Whether you are capturing beautiful landscapes, children play or yourself, let them stare if you want results. Humans don’t always stare for bad reasons. Sometimes, they are just curious or they like what they see. Stay positive and be the bravest, the inspiration and a role model. Pose as long as your body needs to bring the best out. Capture a lovely sunset moment, your legs in a crystal clear water or the body you worked hard on shaping.

I made myself proud when I did a full yoga flow on a beach with at least 10 people staring occasionally for the first time! That was, actually, the first time I ever exercised in front of anyone. I was scared and shaky at first, but as soon as I closed my eyes, there was no one worthy me giving up. You may check the flow in my Instagram post by clicking the picture below, just swipe next for videos and keep in mind I captured videos with my mobile phone and are therefore low quality. The photography, however, is captured with Canon.

The perfect beach photography timing

Shadows are tricky and can be great for artistic photo shoots, especially when you pair beautiful objects and shapes and humans all together. But it’s always better to avoid them. Shadows sometimes distort reality. On the other hand, it’s a more no way to pose when the Sun throws its rays at right angles. That time of day gives too bright pictures, with no correct shapes of reality, which is not good. Too clear and too monotone, without a tone of comfort and enjoyment.

So, once again, WHATEVER you are trying to capture, the right timing for you is early morning (a lot earlier than 10 AM) and 1 hour before the sunset. The light before the sunset is soft and gentle and emotional. We usually captured many beautiful shots by the sunset when we got outside an hour earlier or when we stayed at the beach to watch it.

Night hours have another great tone of mystery and are perfect for capturing sensational portraits or silhouettes. However, there must be enough light or you can try and play with the movements (the blurry movements photography is so sensational and beautiful).

Strike a pose

As stressful as it sounds, I kinda learned the hard way that I cannot copy models. Cause I am not a model. Wasn’t born for that. Even if I was, I snuggled the idea deep inside and I could never act like them. Those women all in a unique way know which poses to take and when, how to look stressless and free. If you are not one of them, hear me out.

Don’t screenshot their Instagram post and try to strike that pose and get beach photography like theirs (yes, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I TRIED TO DO PAST TWO SUMMER HOLIDAYS) cause it will last forever. And it’s not even your pose, it’s not you. People will notice that, but most importantly, you will notice that and it will discomfort your good vibes.

In fact, try to mind your own business when they stare at you and be as natural as you can. Don’t set up your body too much, just walk with the wind in your hair and smile gently. Or slow down to feel the moment, and then pose. We made the best photos when I wasn’t aware of the camera that much.

Kids in action tips

Some kids don’t like the sound of the camera and sometimes it’s not ok to interrupt the moment just to take a picture. Even though Milija is used to it and he enjoys it, I always ask if it’s ok for him. We never push when he says “no” cause obviously, he’s up to something bigger. Other than that, we avoid using the camera during the quality hour and for the whole day. He’s usually very cute and I’m not gonna lie, I feel the need to capture it all, but I let it go because I feel the need for being present more.

When you want to make some beach photography serial with the little one, do it in the morning or when he’s enjoying the gorgeous sunset moment. Those are usually calm moments, without too many people talking, so the kids like to play and breathe the moment in. Also, get down on your knees for the best results! Let the camera sees the kid for real and from the right corner, from which the kid stands himself.

Capture the momentum

My husband usually captures artistic movements, all so interesting and tricky. Also, when he’s not doing those, he captures life at its best (some interesting doors and windows covered with a plant, yelling at us that it’s more to live out there than we usually see). I, however, got in shape with a camera a bit, this year. I tried to capture a gorgeous sunset moment and trees.

When you’re capturing the momentum, you have to think wider than where you stand. Stop for a second and take a picture of that strange flowers that covered the entrance to somewhere abandoned. Get yourself photography by that gorgeous wall. Stay close to nature and pose as you belong there. You realize how I find it easy to bring some momentum photos of doors and trees to my Instagram profile. Really freshens the things up a lot and helps me plan it better.

The editing process

Other than Photoshop (and if you’re not pro), you may consider some mobile apps for your editing. VSCO is my absolute favourite (the filter I usually use is S1 – bright & clean) where I brighten my pictures, contrast them and pour a pinkish/reddish shadow that I find really represent my mom life. I usually don’t go any further with editing, but there’s also a similar app which you can check out too, called Lightroom. If necessary, my husband strengthens the picture in Photoshop and removes some annoying garbage. More important than your editing skills is that you use natural light in the morning and at early noon. And turn off any distractions while capturing that breath-taking beach photography.