Beach Photoshoot Ideas for Couples Sessions

6 BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEAS

One of the top requested locations for couples and engagement sessions is the beach. Michigan is home to the freshest coastlines! But after doing so many photoshoots in the same spots, I needed to shake things up a bit. So I put together a bunch of beach photoshoot ideas to increase the variety of images in my engagement and couple sessions. I hope these inspire you to approach beach locations just a little differently. 

BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEA #1: WORK THE DUNES

I know that most people think about the beach as the place where the sand meets water, but Lake Michigan is home to quite a few sand dunes. These mountains of sand give me all sorts of photo ideas! Couples can run down them while the photographer captures genuine smiles and lots of candid movement. They can be used in a wide shot to isolate the couple’s silhouettes in negative space. AND you’ll get a whole set of images from your beach photoshoot that don’t have water in them! If your aim is variety, this is a great idea to mix things up and get creative.

BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEA #2: TURN AROUND

Another way to get variety in your beach photoshoot is totally counterintuitive. Turn around! With the couple facing the water and all of the light bouncing off of it towards them, you’ll get great color on the sand and tall grasses. Due to water-table rising, flooding, and erosion, the beaches of Lake Michigan have shrunk significantly. But we can make the most of it! The steep angle and exposed rocks make for the perfect place for a couple to share a romantic moment looking out over the water. 

BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEA #3: WALK THE BEACH

Okay, okay. Now that I’ve given you two beach photoshoot ideas that don’t involve actually seeing the water, here’s an easy go-to that always turns out amazing. Just walk the waterline! You can get incredible background views with a wide-lens while catching super sweet moments. Sometimes, I’ll have the couple skip rocks to catch some candids. These lean more traditional, but honestly, if a couple wants the Lake Michigan beach, I feel like this is what they are imagining.

Beach photoshoot idea #4: Stay for Sunset

Lake Michigan in particular has stunning sunsets because it’s on the west side of the state. The sun goes down right over the water and I’m obsessed with the incredible tones we can capture in pictures with the amber, orange, and pink sky against the purple, blue, and turquoise water.

Beach photoshoot idea #5: Lay down

Towards the end of the photoshoot, I always ask the couple if they are comfortable lying down. Sometimes, they are partially in the water, and other times we play with driftwood for some visual texture and depth. I love this idea for creating intimate moments.

BEACH PHOTOSHOOT IDEA #6: PLAY IN THE WATER

I saved this for last because it’s always the last thing I have couples do at their beach photoshoot. If you’re feeling adventurous, get IN the water! Obviously, save this until the end so that your couple’s clothes aren’t wet for the rest of the photoshoot. But these pictures are so fun! When I think about couples looking back at their engagement pictures (or whatever the photoshoot is for) fifty years later, I firmly believe that it’s the silly moments that will make them smile the biggest. So yeah. Even if you feel ridiculous, just take the leap! Honestly, it’s my favorite of all the beach photoshoot ideas.

I hope you have some fresh beach photoshoot ideas!