Choosing the right beach for a family photo session can make a huge difference to the final photographs. Around Exmouth, we are lucky to have several beautiful coastal locations, each offering something slightly different.
As a professional photographer, I don’t simply choose a beach because it looks beautiful. I consider the light, tide, weather, number of people around, available backgrounds and, importantly, how comfortable the family and children will feel during the session.
Over the years, I’ve found that some beaches work particularly well for certain types of family photography. Whether you’re looking for wide-open landscapes, varied backgrounds or something more dramatic, there are some fantastic options around Exmouth.
Here are my personal recommendations for the best beaches near Exmouth for family photo sessions.
Sandy Bay Beach for Wide-Open Family Photography
Sandy Bay is one of my favourite choices when a family wants photographs with a large, open landscape.
The beach can provide a huge amount of space, particularly when the tide is low. This gives me much more flexibility as a photographer because I can move further away from the family and create photographs with a much greater sense of scale.
The open landscape can make the family appear small within the wider coastal environment, which can create a really special and distinctive photograph.
Why I recommend Sandy Bay
From a photography perspective, some of the advantages include:
- A large, open landscape
- Plenty of space for children to move around
- Excellent opportunities for long-range photographs
- Beautiful natural coastal scenery
- Particularly impressive possibilities when the tide is low
- Great potential for sunset photography
I particularly like Sandy Bay when the tide is low because it can dramatically increase the amount of usable space on the beach. I can take both wider photographs showing the surrounding landscape and closer photographs of the family.
My Sandy Bay family photography experience
One of my most memorable family sessions took place at Sandy Bay on a beautiful sunny evening.
There was no rain and the sun was shining, although there was a little wind. The family had two children who were proving quite challenging during the session, but we didn’t let that stop us.
With a little patience, we pushed through the session and eventually created a magnificent set of twelve photographs.
The tide was very low, which gave me a huge amount of landscape to work with. I was able to stand a long distance away from the family and capture photographs with a completely different perspective.
Because the session took place in the evening, we also had the sunset working in our favour. The combination of the low tide, open landscape and evening light gave the photographs a magical quality.
The family ultimately had the photographs edited and framed, which made the experience particularly rewarding.
For me, this session is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t assume that children need to behave perfectly for a family photo shoot to be successful. Sometimes you simply need patience, flexibility and the willingness to keep going.
Exmouth Beach for Variety and Different Backgrounds
Exmouth Beach is another excellent option, particularly if you want more variety from your family photo session.
Unlike the huge open landscape you can find at Sandy Bay, Exmouth Beach feels more compact. However, that can actually be an advantage because there are different features and backgrounds that can be incorporated into a single session.
The stone walls can provide an interesting backdrop, while the sand dunes and areas further up the hill can give the photographs a completely different appearance.
Why Exmouth Beach works well for family photography
I particularly like Exmouth Beach when a family wants a mixture of photographs rather than one consistent style.
Depending on the conditions and where we position ourselves, we can create photographs featuring:
- The beach and sea
- Interesting stone walls
- Sand dunes
- Different textures and patterns
- Waves and coastal scenery
- Closer family portraits
- Wider environmental photographs
This variety can be particularly useful if you want a collection of photographs that don’t all look the same.
A family might start with some photographs on the sand before moving towards the walls or dunes for a completely different backdrop.
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Dawlish Beach for Dramatic Family Photographs
If you’re looking for something more dramatic, Dawlish Beach is one of my favourite choices.
The beach can provide a much stronger sense of drama, particularly when the waves are crashing and the weather is more atmospheric.
Of course, dramatic weather needs to be approached sensibly. You don’t want to choose unsuitable conditions simply for the sake of a photograph. However, when the weather is right, the combination of the sea, waves and surrounding stone structures can create some very striking images.
When I would choose Dawlish Beach
I’d particularly recommend Dawlish when a family wants photographs that feel a little more dramatic and powerful.
The crashing waves can add movement and energy to an image, while the large stone walls provide another strong visual element.
It can be particularly beautiful on the right day, but this is one location where getting the weather right is important.
Dawlish can also become very sandy and stormy in certain conditions, so I would always consider the forecast before planning a session.
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Why the Tide Matters for Beach Photography
One of the things families may not realise is just how important the tide can be when planning a beach photo session.
Personally, I often prefer photographing at low tide.
When the tide is low, you can gain a much larger area of exposed beach. This gives me greater freedom to move around and experiment with different distances and perspectives.
I can take a long-range photograph showing the family within the wider landscape, then move closer to capture more intimate family photographs.
This variety can make a big difference to the finished gallery.
However, low tide isn’t the only consideration. The exact conditions, light, weather and location all need to work together. This is why I prefer to think about the entire session rather than simply choosing a beach and turning up at a particular time.
The Best Time of Day for Family Beach Photography
In my opinion, morning and evening are generally the best times for family beach photography.
The light can be much more flattering than during the middle of the day, when strong sunlight can create harsh shadows and make photographing people more difficult.
Evening sessions have the added advantage of potentially capturing a beautiful sunset behind the family.
There’s something particularly special about photographs taken as the day comes to an end. The changing light can add warmth and atmosphere to the images and help create photographs that feel like genuine moments rather than ordinary posed portraits.
Morning sessions can also work extremely well, particularly when the beach is quieter.
Why quieter beaches can make better family photographs
The number of people around is something I consider carefully when planning a family photo session.
For a busy location such as Sandy Bay, I would generally prefer to photograph outside of the peak summer period when possible. Autumn and winter can provide much quieter conditions, meaning fewer people walking through the background or interrupting the session.
I also prefer early morning or evening sessions because these times can naturally help reduce the number of people around.
This isn’t just about getting a clean background. A quieter beach can help the family feel more relaxed and give children more freedom to move around without constantly being distracted.
Privacy can also be important for some families, particularly if they have specific clothing or personal preferences for their photographs. Choosing the right time and season can make the experience much more comfortable.
What If Your Children Don’t Behave During a Photo Session?
This is one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents.
Some parents worry that their children are too energetic, too shy or simply won’t cooperate during a photo session.
My experience has taught me that this doesn’t necessarily matter as much as you might think.
I’ve photographed families where the children have been difficult to manage, and we’ve still ended up with a fantastic collection of photographs.
Patience is more important than perfect behaviour
I don’t expect children to stand perfectly still and smile on command throughout an entire session.
Instead, I try to communicate with them and help them understand what we’re doing together.
If a child is shy or uncomfortable, I may use familiar toys or books to help them settle. Building a relationship with the children and making them feel comfortable can make a huge difference.
I also try to make the session enjoyable for them.
The goal isn’t simply to make children behave perfectly. It’s to create an environment where they feel happy and comfortable enough for their personality to come through.
Some of my favourite family photographs are the moments that happen naturally rather than the perfectly posed photographs.
How I Choose the Right Beach for Your Family
There isn’t one beach that is perfect for every family.
My recommendation depends on what you want from your photographs.
Choose Sandy Bay for large landscapes
If your priority is long-range photography and a huge open landscape, Sandy Bay would be my first choice.
It can be particularly impressive at low tide, when there is a large amount of exposed beach to work with.
Choose Exmouth Beach for variety
If you want lots of different backgrounds within one session, I would lean towards Exmouth Beach.
The stone walls, sand dunes, beach and surrounding landscape can provide plenty of variety without needing to travel between several different locations.
Choose Dawlish Beach for drama
If you want something more dramatic and atmospheric, Dawlish would be my choice.
The waves and large stone structures can create a powerful coastal backdrop, particularly when the weather provides some atmosphere.
Why Location Isn’t Everything
Although choosing the right beach is important, I believe that the photographer’s ability to work with the conditions is just as important.
The weather might change. The tide might not be exactly as expected. Children might be energetic or shy. There might be more people around than anticipated.
These things don’t necessarily mean the session has failed.
As a photographer, I need to adapt.
Sometimes that means changing where we photograph. Sometimes it means waiting for the right light. Sometimes it means giving a child a little time to settle down.
And sometimes the unexpected conditions actually create the best photographs.
My Sandy Bay session with the two children is a perfect example. The children weren’t perfectly behaved, there was some wind and we still had to work through the session. But by being patient and taking advantage of the low tide and beautiful evening light, we created twelve photographs that the family loved enough to have edited and framed.
That’s what I love about family photography.
It’s not about creating a perfectly controlled situation. It’s about capturing the people, relationships and moments that make each family unique.
My Favourite Beaches Near Exmouth for Family Photo Sessions
If I had to simplify my recommendations, I’d choose:
- Sandy Bay: Best for huge open landscapes and long-range photographs, particularly at low tide.
- Exmouth Beach: Best for variety, with sand, stone walls, dunes and different coastal backgrounds.
- Dawlish Beach: Best for dramatic photographs, especially when the waves and weather create an atmospheric setting.
Ultimately, the best beach depends on the type of photographs you want and the experience you want your family to have.
As a professional family photographer, I’ll consider the light, tide, weather, crowds and the personalities of the people I’m photographing before deciding how to approach the session.
The most important thing is that you don’t need to have perfectly behaved children, perfect weather or a perfectly planned day to create beautiful family photographs.
With the right location, the right timing and a little patience, even an ordinary family day at the beach can become a collection of photographs that you’ll treasure for years.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Family Photo Sessions on Beaches Near Exmouth
1. Which beach near Exmouth is best for a family photo session?
There isn’t one beach that is perfect for every family. It really depends on the type of photographs you would like. I love Sandy Bay for wide, open landscapes, Exmouth Beach for variety and Dawlish for something a little more dramatic. Before your session, we can talk about what kind of photos you love and choose the location that feels right for your family.
2. What is the best time of day for a family beach photo shoot?
I usually prefer early morning or evening. The light is often softer and more flattering than in the middle of the day, and the beach can be much quieter too. Evening can also give us the chance to enjoy some beautiful sunset light.
3. Do we need to plan our photo session around the tide?
Yes, the tide can make a big difference, especially on some beaches. I often like low tide because it gives us more space to work with and allows me to create a wider variety of photographs. However, I always look at the whole picture, including the location, weather and light, before choosing the best time.
4. What happens if it rains on the day of our family photo session?
We will keep an eye on the weather forecast before the session. A cloudy or slightly windy day can still be beautiful for photographs, so we don’t need perfect sunshine. If the weather is very wet or unsuitable, we can discuss moving the session to another day.
5. What should we wear for a family photo session on the beach?
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable. I usually recommend choosing colours that work nicely together rather than everyone wearing exactly the same outfit. Soft, natural and neutral tones often look lovely against the beach, but I will always give you guidance before your session.
6. What if my children don’t behave during the photo shoot?
Please don’t worry. Honestly, I don’t expect children to sit still and smile perfectly for the whole session. Children like to run, explore and play, especially at the beach. I work patiently and try to make the session feel relaxed and enjoyable. Very often, the natural moments in between are the photographs parents love the most.
7. Are beach photo sessions suitable for young children?
Yes, absolutely. The beach is a great place for children because they have space to move around and don’t feel like they are stuck in a studio being told to sit still. I adapt the session depending on the age and personality of your children and give them time to feel comfortable.
8. Can grandparents join our family photo session?
Of course. Including grandparents can make family photographs even more meaningful. These are often the photographs that become more precious as the years go by. We can create photographs of everyone together as well as smaller family groups.
9. Can we bring our dog to a beach family photo session?
Yes, if the beach allows dogs at the time of year we are planning the session. Dogs are part of the family, and I am always happy to include them. We just need to check any local beach restrictions before deciding on the location.
10. When is the best time of year for a family photo session in Exmouth?
Every season can work beautifully. Summer gives us warmer weather, but the beaches can be busy. Spring and autumn can be wonderful because there are often fewer people around and the light can be beautiful. I also love quieter beaches because families often feel more relaxed and children have more freedom to enjoy themselves.
