When Is The Best Time Of Day To Take Beach Wedding Photos?

One of the most iconic wedding shots is the happy couple holding each other on a beautiful beach. As a wedding photographer, these are the kind of memorable moments I strive to capture. Luckily, I call Cronulla home, so I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to stunning beaches. Pretty much everywhere you turn in this part of the world there’s a stretch of silver sanded magic, just waiting for a married couple and an eager photographer to shoot there. However, I often get asked, what’s the best time of day to take beach wedding photos? Depending on when you shoot, the quality of the photos can vary wildly. So here are my do’s and don’ts for a perfect beach wedding photoshoot!

Making Time for the Shoot

The first thing you have to factor in is time. I’ve shot a lot of weddings, and at every one, somebody’s always under some kind of time pressure. Totally understandable, it’s a big day! However, it can really pay off to schedule in a good chunk of time for the photoshoot. All too often, couples don’t realise how much time is needed to capture amazing shots. Yes, there’ll be loads of spur-of-the-moment shots during the lead up and the wedding itself, but for those all-important couple shots, the more time we have the better. Especially if you’re planning to shoot on a beach; unless the ceremony also happens to be there, it’ll take time to get to the location and actually shoot some magic.

The Importance of the Couple Shot

The posed couple shots are probably going to be the defining photos of your wedding. I always try to tell the whole love story of a couple through these shots, and I consistently aim to capture the unique connection between a bride and groom. In my opinion, a beach wedding photoshoot in Cronulla should be all about making the best of the natural landscape for the coolest shot possible. I always advise my clients to set aside enough time on the wedding day schedule to capture some really stunning images on one of the city’s many beautiful beaches. They’re a unique feature that not a lot of weddings get to show off; we should shoot them as often as possible!

When Should I Take My Beach Wedding Photos?

The best time of day to take shots on a beach is undoubtedly sunset. There’s something special about a long, orange Cronulla sunset; it just adds that extra pinch of magic into a shot. One of the reasons why it looks great is the natural lighting it provides. It’s a subtle, soft source of light, which makes skin tones light up and really pop in the final shot. Photos taken at sunset usually have a cinematic edge to them, making them really dynamic and memorable. Plus it’s easy to make everyone look gorgeous when they’re lit by a sunset! There’s an added bonus too: As the day draws to a close and the sun goes down, you’re likely to have a lot of the beach to yourself. This is a major benefit when you’re shooting wedding photos, as it gives you room to think and enough time to try out some interesting, unique shots.

What If the Schedule Doesn’t Allow for a Sunset Shoot?

If a sunset session just won’t work with the schedule for the big day, the next best time you can shoot on a beach is anytime there’s a bit of cloud cover. This will diffuse the direct sunlight and create a more balanced spread of natural light. If you happen to get married on a totally cloudless day (lucky you) I always try and find some shade and shadow to shoot in. Direct sunlight might make for a glorious ceremony, but it definitely doesn’t provide a great light source for photos. It will over-expose the skin tones and make the whole image look very harsh. Shooting in shade or under cloud cover gives me a chance to control how much light I’m using, so I can adjust the image as required. 

Beach is Best!

In case you hadn’t guessed yet, the beach is probably one of my favourite places to shoot new couples. There’s just no beating sunset wedding photos in Cronulla; some of the best snaps I think I’ve taken have been shot there. There’s so much beauty and rawness at the local beaches that it’s easy to be yourself and just let loose. When you’re surrounded by the crashing of the waves, the sand at your feet and the easy breezy atmosphere of the beach, any stress of the big day melts away. Just focus on being a happy couple in love and leave the rest to me!

The best beach wedding in Cronulla needs an experienced photographer to make the most of it. I can use my local knowledge to advise on the best spots for the sweetest shots, making your big day as memorable as it deserves to be. If you like the sound of what Cronulla and I have to offer, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can start getting to know each other! Capturing your day in a collection of stunning shots is my passion; the beach provides the perfect backdrop to tell that story.