You’ve been working out and tanning up for sun worshiping at the beach, make sure your summer beach memories are as hot as you remember with these simple photo tips for beach goers. 

Photographing at the beach can be a lot of fun, but taking your camera to the beach can be scary with all of the sand and salt water. It's definitely worth it though for the memorable photos you'll take. Make sure you have a camera or wrist strap on and use it so you don't accidentally end up with your camera in the surf or sand. Bring a zipper top baggie with you that is large enough to hold your camera so when you're not shooting it's protected from the sand that ends up in your bag.

Setting Your Camera

Many cameras have a Beach Scene Mode that makes it easy to get just the right exposure while on the beach. Waterproof, or cameras built to withstand just about anything from dirt and sand to ocean water are great for the beach. I think these are some of the best cameras for families since you can't crush them, freeze them, drown them, and they can take a pretty good fall and survive.

Remember if you are standing close to your subject, within 10-15 feet, and it's a really bright sunny day, you can turn on the flash and fill-in the harsh shadows that would otherwise hide faces in your beach photos.

© Tracy Mack

Use Your Zoom Lens

Sometimes the photos will be a lot stronger and make more of an impact if you simply zoom in to capture the most interesting part of the scene. In the photo below, there was a funny expression on his face, but shooting it on a wide-angle setting didn't capture the moment. By zooming into his face, the photo conveys a true moment.

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

Look for the Action

Action shots are easier to take when your lens is set at wide-angle. Take advantage of being in a beautiful environment and include as much of the surroundings as possible. You will not only capture the action in your photo, but also tell the story of where the action took place. Try to move yourself closer to your subject so they don't get lost, and the background will appear secondary.

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

Change Your Point of View

Where you take a photo from can make all the difference. Not just your location, but where you position yourself as well. Do you take all your photos from a standing position... most people do. They never think to see the world from another perspective. Squatting down, even sitting on the ground, or going as far as getting on your belly will give your photos a wonderful new perspective. Getting taller can be challenging, but just keep in mind that a different perspective can often take a photo from OK to fabulous!

© Tracy Mack

Get Close

Don't forget about portraits just because you're on the beach. If you have a beach tent or umbrella set up, shooting a tight portrait will give you soft light resulting in beautiful portraits. Take advantage of that along with wet kids wrapped in towels. The combination can be priceless.

© Tracy Mack

Capture the Unexpected

Have your camera ready at all times. You never know when something special is going to happen and those pictures often become the most memorable. Spontaneity is one of the best things that can happen to your photography.

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

Watch Your Horizons... Sometimes

The horizon becomes an important part of the photo when you're at the beach. Sometimes, it actually becomes the photo and your subjects are merely decoration for the scenery. Make sure you keep the horizon straight unless you deliberately tilt the camera to get a fun feel to your photo.

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack

© Tracy Mack