Are you looking for a 30a beach photographer? I’ve been photographing beach clients for over 18 years over on 30a. I photograph a lot of families at Watercolor. It is such a gorgeous location without the huge condos in the background. It is the most gorgeous community on 30a if you ask me. Check out my website to see more fun things to do in that area. Robi and her family chose to photograph during the evening session as she felt the baby would do better during that 5:45 time slot.
I am always extremely honest with clients and let them know this will be a more candid session. The sun is still extremely bright during that time. The shadows are tough too. But the water is usually gorgeous and I do understand as mother also how tough that 7:00 golden hour is for little ones. We got really lucky on this day as there was beautiful clouds covering the sun for most of our session. The clouds are like a free filter when you are out there on our white sandy beaches. I always tell clients that I am praying for clouds on their session evenings and they look at me so weird.
Why is a cloudy day good for portraits?
While sunshine might seem ideal for beach photos, a cloudy day can actually be surprisingly beneficial for portraits, especially on the bright white sands of 30a. Here’s why from a 30a beach photographer:
- Soft, Diffused Light:
No Harsh Shadows: The clouds act as a giant natural diffuser, scattering the sunlight evenly across the scene. This eliminates harsh shadows on faces, which can be unflattering and emphasize wrinkles or blemishes.
Even Skin Tones: The soft, diffused light creates a more even illumination on your subjects’ faces, resulting in smoother and more flattering skin tones. You won’t have bright highlights and dark shadows competing for attention.
- Comfortable Shooting Conditions:
No Squinting: Bright sunlight forces people to squint, which is not ideal for portraits. Cloudy days allow your subjects to keep their eyes wide open and relaxed, leading to more natural and engaging expressions.
Cooler Temperatures: Especially during the warmer months in Santa Rosa Beach, a cloudy day can offer a welcome respite from the intense heat of direct sun, making everyone more comfortable and less likely to be sweaty or uncomfortable during the shoot.
- Richer and More Saturated Colors:
Less Washed Out: Direct sunlight can sometimes wash out colors. On a cloudy day, the colors in the scene – the emerald green of the water, the white of the sand, and the colors of your clothing – can appear richer and more saturated.
True Colors: The diffused light allows the true colors of everything to come through without being overpowered by bright highlights.
- More Versatile Shooting Locations:
No Need to Chase Shade: On a sunny day, photographers often have to strategically position their subjects in shaded areas to avoid harsh light. A cloudy day provides even lighting across the entire beach, giving you more flexibility in choosing your background and composition.
- Dramatic Skies (Potentially):
Interesting Backdrops: Depending on the type of clouds, you might get a beautiful and dramatic sky as a backdrop, adding visual interest to your photos. Think soft, textured clouds or even the moody atmosphere before or after a light rain shower (though you’d want to be mindful of the weather).
- Easier on the Photographer:
Consistent Lighting: The consistent, diffused light makes the photographer’s job easier as they don’t have to constantly adjust for changing sunlight and harsh shadows.
More Creative Freedom: With even lighting, photographers can focus more on composition, posing, and capturing genuine moments.
Of course, there are nuances:
Overcast vs. Stormy: So a completely dark and stormy day might not be ideal. The best cloudy days for portraits are those with soft, even cloud cover that still allows plenty of ambient light.
White Balance: Photographers will need to adjust their white balance accordingly to ensure accurate color rendition under cloudy skies.
In conclusion, don’t be disappointed if your beach portrait day on 30a turns out to be cloudy. It can actually provide the perfect soft, flattering light for beautiful and timeless photographs. To see more on Watercolor, Florida head on over to their website. Be sure to hire me as your 30a beach photographer.
