Watching kids grow up in front of my lens is hands down one of the best parts of what I do. I’ve known these two sweet girls since before they even took their first breaths. I shot their mom’s maternity session out at Crystal River, visited them in the ICU for their newborn photos when they were tiny preemie babies, and now I’ve captured practically every milestone since!
From Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day to their birthdays, Brown & Brown’s Fall Festival in Ocala, and Christmas, I get to see these girls all the time.
Every September, right after school starts back up, we make the drive over from Marion County to Daytona Beach for their annual family shoot. Doing a beach family session in September is the ultimate sweet spot: summer crowds are gone, the beaches are practically empty, and the Florida weather is incredible.
Why Early Morning Beach Sessions Work Best for Toddlers
Instead of fighting late bedtimes or cranky evening meltdowns, we hit the sand early in the morning while the sun is coming up over the Atlantic. The morning light at Daytona Beach is soft and stunning, and two year olds actually have the energy to run around and play before naptime hits.
And these two could not have been more different in how they wanted to tackle the ocean!
Once we got the family portion of the session done where everybody was in matching outfits and looked all pretty, we switched right over to the relaxed, magical moments where the kids got to just play and be themselves. That is why I love shooting at the ocean so much. We are there to make real memories, not just take photos!
Coraline turned out to be a straight up wave junkie. The second her feet touched the foam, she was done for. She didn’t care about staying dry; she just wanted to splash, jump, and ride every single wave that rolled in.
Meanwhile, Adalyn was completely in her element parked right in the shallow water, happy as could be with her bucket and shovel, building sandcastles and doing her own thing.
Authentic Family Photography over Stiff Posing
That’s the beauty of doing a lifestyle family session at the beach. It isn’t about standing in a straight line, wearing matching outfits, and stiffly smiling at a camera while somebody yells “cheese.” It’s about letting your kids be who they are in that exact season of life, whether that means running wild into the surf or getting covered in wet sand.
When you look back at these heirloom photos years from now, you aren’t just going to remember what the ocean looked like. You’re going to remember Coraline’s fearless belly laugh every time a wave hit her, and Adalyn’s quiet focus as she scooped sand.
Because these girls see me so often, we have the best bond. When kids know you and feel safe around you, they don’t freeze up. They just play, and I get to capture the genuine magic.
(Side note: Kayla gets hooked up on her sessions because she’s a real one who keeps coming back! I love taking care of the mamas who trust me with their whole story. Want in on exclusive loyalty perks, early access, and special rates? Get in my VIP group and on the newsletter list! I’ll include the link below.
Book Your Central Florida Beach Family Session
If you’ve been putting off getting your family photos done because you’re worried about your toddlers getting tired or not sitting still, take a breath. We bring them out in the fresh morning light, let them play on an empty beach, and let me handle the rest.
Ready to get your family’s authentic moments on the calendar? Reach out to Jennifer M Gifford Photography today and let’s plan your session.
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