Kiawah Family Photographer: Bercegeay Family
Vacationing on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, is a perfect opportunity to schedule a portrait session with a Kiawah family photographer like me. Families vacationing on the island find it easy to adjust to a relaxed mindset, truly internalizing those beach vibes. This energy always creates an ideal atmosphere for Kiawah family photos. The Bercegeay family always brings this energy to their family sessions, and I was so excited when they reached out to have another Kiawah family portrait session.
Kiawah Family Photographs
Every few years, the Bercegeay family visits Kiawah Island. This is a chance for siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren to gather together. Since extended family visits are so special, it makes perfect sense why they schedule a family photo session during their stay.
This is the third time that I have photographed this extended family. It has been a joy to see how the family has grown over the years. From newly engaged couples to expanding families, these are the moments I’m honored to document in the visual history of a family.
Kiawah Beaches
Kiawah Island is like stepping into a vintage postcard. Its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and serene surroundings make it an idyllic locale for creating lasting memories with loved ones.
Kiawah Island is known for its natural beauty, and its ten miles of serene, private beaches are the main draw to this luxury resort. Stretching as far as the eye can see, the sandy shores are adorned with rolling dunes topped with sea oats swaying in the salty breeze. The Atlantic Ocean, with sediment-rich waves, adds to the stunning beach backdrop.
Kiawah Island is Nature’s Delight
We chose a late afternoon for the Bercegeay family’s photo session, but not “golden hour.” That may come as a surprise, but an earlier summer portrait time sometimes works best for a family.
This is often the case when there are little ones. Since it’s common for children under 5 to have an early evening bedtime, a summer sunset time conflicts with that. Therefore we need to schedule an earlier time.
For late afternoon sessions 1.5 to 2 hours ahead of sunset, I always advise a two-location session. Preferably, we start family photos where there is tree coverage, which helps diffuse and soften the light. Then the second location is the beach. Often, the beach is better to do last for a few reasons:
- The sand is like a massive light reflector. The earlier the session, the brighter the beach is for photos.
- Brighter light is difficult for the eyes. To avoid squinting, I need to backlight people. This means the sun is behind folks. However, this means the sand dunes will be the backdrop instead of the ocean.
- Beach winds can reach crazy speeds. All that time put into perfect photo hair is quickly gone once it’s on the sand. So it is always a balancing act to find the perfect positioning that blows hair back and keeps the bright sunlight out of eyes.
Many of these obstacles are minimized when a session can be scheduled closer to sunset. But that is not always a practical option for families. I try to educate clients on the differences to expect in the final images due to a brighter time of day. If the final look is the top priority, then I encourage a sunset session. If the session goals are more about capturing nice family photos with authentic interactions, then the session time becomes secondary.
Preparing for the Session
Planning a family photo session requires some preparation. The Bercegeay family selected outfits that complement one another and the natural backdrop of the beach. Sticking to the same color family offers flexibility in attire while maintaining a cohesive look. These light, airy colors of neutrals and blues blend seamlessly with the beach’s hues.
On the photography side, I always send a questionnaire for portrait sessions. This is a great way to learn a family’s vision for the portraits and inform me of must-have portrait combinations. I have a reorganized version of this list with me at the session so that we can move efficiently. The faster we get through those traditional photos, the more time we have for beach fun and candid, playful moments.
Pivot in the Moment
I arrived early to head to the beach. The sky was slightly cloudy but still quite bright. The gusts of wind felt high, and my hair was blowing in my face. I knew we would need to pivot to create quality photos.
Once everyone was on the beach, we discussed options. Between sun-induced squinty eyes and strong wind gusts, we decided to do a quick series of photos on the beach before going back inland for a second location.
For everyone’s comfort and for the quality of the photos, I chose to backlight everyone. With the sun behind them, eyes could open wider. It also worked out that the wind was blowing mostly in that direction. This meant hair was mostly blowing back instead of into people’s faces.
The second location was outside under a canopy of trees just outside one of the families’ vacation homes. This created a clean backdrop that softened the light. There was also minimal wind, which meant no hair frantically blowing around. No wind also meant we could hear each other again, which made gathering different groups for pictures easier.
Takeaways from a Kiawah Family Photographer
A family photo session on the beach at Kiawah Island is always an adventure! It’s a timeless location. The various natural elements are perfectly photogenic, enriching the capture of the beauty of the island and the special moments of your vacation. Whether you’re posing for a classic family portrait or embracing candid pics of playful interactions, these special moments will shine in every photo. So, next time you’re vacationing on Kiawah Island, take the time to have these precious memories documented by a Kiawah Island family photographer —you won’t regret it.
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