Half Moon Bay Family Photos | Iris and Lace Photography | Bay Area Family Photographer

Family Photos at Half Moon Bay

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, we are so lucky to have so many beautiful beach locations to choose from. Having shot at 4-5 different beaches over the last year, I like to weigh the pros and cons of different locations and explore all my options! This location in Half Moon Bay is one of my favorites. It has the most accessible parking situation and most accessible coastline of any of the beaches I’ve shot at so far! It’s basically only a two minute walk to the water’s edge, which makes it perfect for families with babies, so they don’t have to hike too far from the parking lot to the coast.

This mama brought her beautiful baby boy into the world in the middle of the pandemic, so we weren’t able to get tiny fresh newborn photos, but even so, I love photographing babies at this stage & age! At this stage, baby is a bit more responsive and aware and is holding his head up a bit more, which makes the experience even easier.

And oh my GOSH can we please talk about how unbelievably adorable this little guy is?! Seriously one of the cutest babies I’ve ever photographed! Even though I was wearing my mask (as I do in all my photoshoots), he gave me the biggest smile even though I was totally a stranger. He was so easy and mellow and laidback the whole photoshoot!

Tips for Photos on Cloudy Days

Shooting at a Bay Area Beach in August is like a guarantee for a cloudy, overcast day. When we first arrived for the photoshoot, I know these parents were understandably a bit concerned that the lighting would be terrible for their photos— many people ask that question on overcast, cloudy days. But here’s the big surprise: cloudy days are actually great for photos, as you can see from the finished gallery! When the sun is shining brightly, I have to be very strategic and hyperaware of my light while shooting. I can only shoot at certain angles in relation to the sun. But when it’s foggy and overcast, the clouds act like a giant softbox, softly diffusing light. The white colored sand bounced up more light from below, acting like a reflector. The result is beautiful, soft, even lighting, without squinty eyes. Cloudy days are more of an advantage than you would think!

Tips for Family Photos with a Baby

When doing family photos with a baby, it’s important bring layers. I generally recommend that babies wear a neutral, soft onesie, in colors like white, cream, or baby blue. I also recommend a blanket or swaddle to help keep them warm and diversify the looks in the gallery. It is often a good idea to bring snacks and water so baby can be comfortable all during the photos.

What to Wear for Beach Family Photos

This mama did such a great job planning her family’s outfits! I love that dad & baby were wearing neutral clothing that coordinated perfectly, and mama represented a warm splash of color with her red dress. I find that women photograph especially well wearing warm colors like red, magenta, sienna, orange, and yellow. These colors bring warmth and life into the gallery and help focus the viewer’s eyes on the pop of color. Dad and son’s white outfits provided a neutral, clean, modern canvas, so the focus of the photos could be drawn into the beauty of these moments, their connection, and their expressions.