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What To Bring To Your Next Beach Shoot

Iliana Alvarez
Jun 6, 2018
3 min read

So shooting at the Beach is a B 😄 lol, no, but really it's a process.

I think that's why it's common that photographers get burned out from shooting at the beach so often. I wonder if that is why famous LA-Based Australian photographer @Quby chooses rooftops, deserts, and pools for her shooting locations instead of good ol' California beaches.

Well, I want to save you from forgetting some of the major beach shooting essentials, so I've put together a list of items to bring to your next beach shoot.

I hope this helps and inspires you to get some beach shooting on!

1. Let's start with a very important item, one I wish I had on my last shoot:

https://amzn.to/2M44Idj

This collapsible booth (or something easy for you to change outfits in):

This speeds up your outfit-change times as you won't be concerned that someone may be looking, it also helps on the times that you'll be shooting several outfits and need to change on site instead of walking to the car etc.

Here's another one I'd recommend: GigaTent Pop Up Pod Changing Room

2. A portable mirror, for on set touch-ups

https://amzn.to/2LoWXgM

3. A small to medium sized towel

This item is often forgotten or left behind because they are big and bulky but they come in handy for quick drying or sitting on at the beach and on your car ride home when your bum is wet 😄

If possible get a quick drying light weigh microfiber type towel these bad boys are awesome for beach shoots:

https://amzn.to/2xOX7My

4. Comfortable Tennis Shoes

For hiking/or walking long distances especially with California beaches where parking is never close to ideal shooting locations and some hiking is often required.

The Adidas Pureboost Xpose (above) are some of my personal favorites as they are cloud comfy! https://amzn.to/2JqKdGd

5. A plastic bag

Sorry, just one. This comes in handy as the place to put used or shot in sandy wardrobe so you don't mix these with your "not shot in yet wardrobe"

6. Hygienic items

The often forgotten hand sanitizer, baby wipes, toilet paper, tissue paper, dental picks, etc. These are items that come in handy and that we forget to bring.

7. Water

Of course. I used Rebecca's tip (on the video below) and froze a little bit of water in a water bottle, so that my water remained cold longer #genius :D

8. Straws

So you don't mess up your lipstick, if you wear any.

9. A Saree

I love these! They can go from dress to bag to beach/picnic blanket in no time. See video below at minute four for instructions on turning your saree into a beach bag. You're welcome to see the entire thing for more ideas. Rebecca is freaking cute and hilarious

Here is my Amazon option but you can also find them often by near beach stores https://amzn.to/2xOV4Iv

10. Plastic wrap or a ziplock plastic bag for your phone and keys

https://amzn.to/2LsxgvT

or an actual water proof case if you have the extra dough 😁

11. Lotion/moisturizer, deodorant, and sunblock

When you are walking/hiking and going in and out of the water things like deodorant and lotion come in handy. Check with your photographer for sunblock recommendations as if he or she will be shooting with a flash the sunblock will cause flashback.

12. A few Snacks

To reduce your appetite. Something that won't make you bloated and will keep your appetite low. I like CLIF protein bars

https://amzn.to/2xOWP8z

13. A Twin Sized Bed Sheet

I like to use a bed sheet instead of a towel to set all my stuff because these are light weight and don't take up much space in my bag:

https://amzn.to/2ItmJyO

and last:

14. Baby Powder

Baby powder is a great item to bring as it removes the stuck sand from your feet and hands. All you have to do is apply it directly to the area on your body where sand is sticking and dust it off. Do not apply baby powder to your legs as it will leave an ashy look... and trust we don't want that for our perfect photos 🙂

...and that's it! To conclude my list here is a Beach Photo-Shoot Checklist for you to check and add what you see fits:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_guLvY54ZVfnxgPmfhobwSpJWRo-GjpXRub8NxZh4W8/edit?usp=sharing