While Sunrise Myrtle Beach Family Sessions are always a hit, I’ve recently fallen in love with sunrise and mid-day, harsh light beach sessions. Why?!! Because they’re the perfect way to capture the beauty of Myrtle Beach in a whole new light—literally!!! Also, I get to spend more time with my babies. 💥
I just wrapped up an amazing sunrise session with a sweet family, and let me tell you, it was pure magic!! The pastel colors they wore looked absolutely dreamy against the soft morning sky. Sunrise sessions can be a bit tricky, but when you nail it, the results are stunning!!!!
Why I love Sunrise Beach Sessions
Myrtle Beach at sunrise!? It’s like having the whole beach to yourself…. The sky is painted with pinks and oranges, and the air feels fresh and peaceful. Plus, you don’t have to worry about crowds, heat, and the wind tends to be a lot calmer in the mornings… It’s just you, the ocean, and the most beautiful light! But that is not always the case, but it was for this August morning.
How to Make the Most of a Sunrise Myrtle Beach Family Session
- Get There Early: Arriving about 15 minutes before sunrise gives us that soft, perfect light. It’s a calm time when the beach feels almost magical.
- Dress the Part: This family rocked pastel colors, and it looked so good in the morning light! Soft, neutral tones are always a win for sunrise sessions—they really make the photos pop.
- Play with the Light: Sunrise light can be tricky, but that’s what makes it fun! I love playing with shadows and highlights to create bright, happy photos that really shine!! ✨
Why You’ll Love a Sunrise Session
Thinking about booking a family session in Myrtle Beach!!? Don’t sleep on sunrise shoots! It’s a peaceful, beautiful time of day, and the light is just gorgeous. Plus, it’s a great way to start the day with your family, making memories you’ll never forget. Love this location? Myrtle Beach State Park offers a large variety of backdrops, nature, and beautiful beaches!
For my fellow photographers, if you haven’t tried a sunrise session yet, give it a shot! It’s a fun challenge and a chance to create something really special. I’d love to share my tips on how to make the most of these early morning shoots and help you capture that perfect shot.
Here are some tips for achieving that natural light, light and airy look in beach photography at sunrise:
1. Arrive Early
- Get to your Sunrise Myrtle Beach Family Sessions about 15 minutes before sunrise to set up. This way, you can catch the soft, pre-dawn light, which adds a beautiful glow to your photos!
2. Use Reflectors
- A white or silver reflector can help bounce that soft morning light back onto your subjects, filling in shadows and enhancing that bright, airy feel.
3. Shoot with the Sun Behind
- Position your subjects with the sun behind them to create a beautiful backlight. This technique helps achieve that dreamy, light, and airy look, with a soft glow around your subjects.
4. Keep ISO Low
- Stick to a low ISO (around 100-200) to maintain the clean, crisp look that’s key to light and airy photography. The morning light is usually soft enough that you don’t need to crank up the ISO.
5. Open Up Your Aperture
- Use a wide aperture (like f/1.8 to f/2.8) to create a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background, making your subjects pop and giving that soft, dreamy effect!
6. Watch Your White Balance
- Adjust your white balance to match the early morning light. You can try the “shade” setting to keep those warm tones, or manually tweak it to get the perfect color balance.
7. Embrace Soft Colors
- Encourage your clients to wear light, pastel colors. These tones complement the soft morning light and help create that cohesive, airy look in your photos.
8. Use the Sky as a Natural Light Source
- The sky at sunrise can be an excellent source of diffused light. Position your subjects so they’re facing the brighter part of the sky to naturally illuminate their faces.
9. Move Around
- Don’t be afraid to move around and try different angles. Sometimes shooting slightly up towards your subjects can enhance that airy, uplifting feeling.
10. Post-Processing
- In editing, keep things light by slightly lifting the shadows and reducing contrast. Add a touch of warmth to maintain the soft, golden glow of sunrise! Boom!!! 💥
Wanna see more of my work!? Check out my blog HERE!
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