Here's Why I Say Yes

One of the questions I hear most often when families inquire about a beach session is:

"Our kids usually go to bed early. Do we really need to schedule photos so late?"

My answer is almost always yes, and I promise, it's worth it.

The soft, warm glow that so many families fall in love with in beach photos doesn't happen all day long. That dreamy light comes during golden hour, the hour or two before sunset, when the sun sits lower in the sky and creates flattering light, creamy skin tones, and the beautiful golden glow that makes beach sessions feel so magical.

During the summer months in New England, that often means starting your session around 6:30 or 7:30 PM. I know that can sound intimidating when you have babies or toddlers with early bedtimes.

But here's what I've learned after photographing so many families...

Kids almost always do better than their parents expect.

They're at the beach. They're digging in the sand, collecting shells, watching the waves, chasing seagulls, dipping their toes in the water, and exploring somewhere new. The excitement alone is usually enough to carry them through an extra half hour or hour before bedtime.

In fact, I can count on one hand the number of children who have truly struggled with a later beach session. More often than not, they're simply having too much fun to notice the time.



This sweet family was the perfect example.

They were vacationing in the Newburyport area with their two-year-old son and three-month-old daughter while visiting the children's grandparents, who live locally. Wanting to capture everyone together, Dad also invited his sister to join the session, making it a wonderful opportunity to document three generations all in one place.

We started just slightly earlier than my ideal golden hour timing, but only by about thirty minutes. That small adjustment still allowed us to take advantage of the beautiful evening light while making the evening a little easier for the little ones.

We began in the dunes, where the light was soft, gentle, and incredibly flattering. As the sun continued to lower, we made our way to the shoreline. The light became a little more contrasty by the water, but it was still beautiful, giving us a wonderful mix of timeless portraits and genuine, candid moments.

Some of my favorite photographs weren't the ones where everyone was looking at the camera.

They were the little in-between moments.

A toddler running toward the waves with his grandparents close behind. Mom snuggling her baby daughter while Dad made their son laugh. Tiny hands reaching for seashells. Grandparents soaking in every second with their grandchildren.

Those are the moments that tell the story.

While Mom and Dad paused for a diaper change and a quick break, I asked the grandparents if they'd take a short walk together.

They held hands as they strolled along the shoreline, laughed together, and shared quiet conversations between the sound of the waves.

Watching them was incredibly moving.

This entire family, the children running through the sand, the babies being cuddled, the joyful chaos of an extended family gathered at the beach, exists because of the life they built together.

It was such a beautiful reminder that family photography isn't just about documenting what your family looks like today.

It's about preserving your family's story.

One day, these little ones will look back at these photographs and see more than just a fun evening at the beach

They'll see how their grandparents looked at them. They'll see the way their parents smiled as they held them close. They'll see the love that surrounded them during this season of life.

Those photographs become part of your family's legacy.

As a photographer, those are the images I hope will be treasured for generations.

If you're wondering whether it's worth stretching bedtime just a little for beach family photos, my answer is yes.

It's one evening.

One slightly later bedtime.

The routine will be back to normal tomorrow.

But the photographs you create together will be part of your family's story forever.