What to Expect During Your Long Island Sunset Beach Portrait Session
- Lisa Combs
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Long Island’s beaches provide a naturally beautiful and relaxed setting for portraits. Sunset sessions are ideal for families, maternity, and engagement photography, offering soft light, wide-open spaces, and a peaceful atmosphere just minutes from home.
To help you get the most out of your session, here’s everything you need to know in advance.
Why Sunset Timing Matters
The success of any outdoor session depends heavily on light. The most flattering light happens during the last hour before the sun dips below the horizon—often called “golden hour.” At this time, sunlight becomes soft and warm, reducing harsh shadows and giving skin a gentle, natural glow.
Earlier in the day, the sun is higher and much stronger, casting unflattering shadows on faces and causing people to squint. On top of that, beaches tend to be crowded during the daytime, filled with umbrellas, towels, toys, and beachgoers—much of which ends up in the background of your photos.
Sunset sessions allow us to avoid these challenges and focus on you and your story, with clean backdrops and soft light.
Flexibility and Punctuality Are Key
Because I work with natural light, we’re on nature’s schedule. Some days the light shifts quickly; other days we may need to wait just a bit for the sun to drop into that perfect spot. This is completely normal and part of the creative process.
Please be on time for your session. The light we’re aiming for is fleeting, and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. If we miss that key window, we lose the best opportunity for beautiful, glowing images.
A Note for Parents of Young Children
If your child tends to need a little extra time to warm up to new environments or people, I highly recommend arriving 10–15 minutes early. This gives them time to explore the surroundings, get familiar with the beach, and feel comfortable before we begin shooting.
Why Spring and Fall Can Be Even Better
While summer sessions are always popular, spring and fall offer incredible advantages. The beaches are less crowded, the air is cooler and more comfortable, and the days are shorter—allowing us to begin shooting earlier in the evening or even in late afternoon. This can be a big help when working with young children or avoiding late bedtimes.
What to Expect at the Beach
Beach sessions are meant to feel easy and playful. Expect to get a little sandy, maybe even a little wet. Walking barefoot along the shore, splashing in the waves, or letting the kids dig in the sand are all part of the fun. Ocean breezes are embraced as part of the setting, and some of the most memorable images come from candid moments that unfold naturally.
What to Wear: Simple, Timeless Style Tips
While I encourage everyone to dress in a way that reflects their personality, here are some general guidelines to help you look your best:
Avoid loud prints, neon colors, and solid black, which tend to dominate the scene or reflect light harshly.
Soft neutrals like cream, ivory, white, tan, gray, pastels and tan photograph beautifully at the beach.
Jeans, linen, flowy dresses, and bare feet always work well.
Coordinate rather than match. Choose tones that complement each other without looking too uniform.
Floppy hats are a great beach accessary
If you’d like help picking outfits, I’m happy to give feedback ahead of time.
What to Bring to you Beach Photo Session
Comb, brush, ponytail holder; Long Island beachs are breezy.
Light jacket or sweater; weather is unpredictable. Even in the heat of the summer the beach can cool down fast.
Water bottles; staying hydrated is important
Easy slip on/off shoes or sandals
Keepsake personal items such as ultrasound photos for maternity sessions
Favorite toy, comfort item or snack for little ones.
Let’s Make the Most of Long Island’s Coastline
We’re incredibly lucky to live near so many beautiful beaches, and it’s a privilege to be able to use them as a backdrop for your family’s story. Sunset sessions capture more than just images—they preserve a feeling, a season, and a connection.
If you’re ready to plan your session or have any questions, just reach out. I can’t wait to create something beautiful with you.
