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Step 1
Bring everything you need. A camera, a tripod if possible, and even a photographer if you choose.
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Step 2
Decide ahead of time if the portrait will be casual or formal, and dress for the occasion.
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Step 3
When you arrive at the beach, make taking the photo your first order of business. Especially if you don’t want wet, sandy kids in your photo!
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Step 4
Plan for the right time of day. If you want the ocean behind you, you should go in the morning on the west coast, or the evening on the east coast. The sun setting behind you might be a great mental picture, but it will leave your family as shadows in the portrait.
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Step 5
Position yourselves so that you are not in front of a gaggle of surfers or a volleyball game, unless you want those elements in the background.
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Step 6
Be prepared to edit stray people out of the final shot when you get home, or ask the photographer to do so.










