How to Get Dreamy Skies in Your Charleston Beach Family Photos 

Tips to Create the Magical Portraits You’re Dreaming of During Your Beach Session

Planning a family photo session on a Charleston beach this summer? Our beaches are some of the most beautiful in the area and they’re always so perfect for portrait sessions! In fact, many families plan their sessions here because they LOVE our cotton candy skies in the evening. But, as they begin planning, they realize how late in the day their session has to be for those dreamy skies. Today, I want to share how to get dreamy skies in your Charleston beach family photos – both as a family photographer and a mom myself. 

Timing Your Session

To get the dreamy cotton candy skies at Isle of Palms or Folly Beach (two of our most famous beaches), you have to pick the right time of day. That usually involves getting up before the sun rises or as it’s setting. Timing is where the issue comes in for many families – their little ones aren’t up or aren’t able to stay up. I absolutely get it.. however, if we plan things just right, we can make it happen. There’s definitely tricks to make it happen, but starting off with the right time is key! 

Before sunset, your sky won’t be quite as dreamy but it’s still usually pretty calm. Right before sunset, you’ll start to really see those colors pop up! Below, you can see how the sky changes as time passes!

Plan Some Distractions

If your session is a little outside your comfort zone as a family, there’s a few distractions you can plan for to make the wait for those cotton candy skies better. First (and most importantly), you can snuggle a little more during your session, which makes for the sweetest photos. There’s nothing like snuggling up together on the blanket watching the sun rise (or set). Plan to bring bottles of water or snacks to tide everyone over if it’s late. I’m also a huge fan of bringing something that will help your kids stay occupied… like their favorite songs or shows. Bring a favorite toy, too! Not all of these options are fail proof but they do help tremendously with the wait!

Cotton candy skies can absolutely be a reality in your beach family photos this summer with some careful planning and thinking ahead! Work with your photographer to figure out the best time for your family – and then bring along some of their favorite things to make the wait a bit easier. Happy summer!