Beach Family Sessions in the East Bay: How to Prepare for Beautiful, Real Moments

If you’ve ever packed up snacks, sunscreen, and sand toys for a so-called “relaxing” family beach outing, you already know that chaos can arrive before you even unbuckle the car seats. And yet, some of my absolute favorite family sessions happen in this wild, sandy terrain.

I’m going to share this sweet, candid beach photography session from an East Bay family. Mom, dad, and their five-year-old son were ready for a different look from their family photos. They’d done the fields, the Mt Diablo foothills, and the Martinez waterfront. They wanted something new! So I suggested this quiet beach cove.

This family was ready to have a relaxed, candid photography session. We played in the sand, strolled along the water’s edge, and found countless seashells! There was this effortless presence they shared that made everything feel natural. No one worried about getting a little messy, and because of that, the session was full of connection and movement. We got the classic “everybody looking” photo, of course, but the magic came through in the playful in-between moments – sandy fingers, soft giggles, silhouettes against the setting sun.

That’s the beauty of beach family photography in the Bay Area. It’s not about getting perfect pictures. It’s about showing up in your real, sometimes windswept, always deeply connected way – and letting your family story unfold.

Why Families Love the Beach (And Also Worry About It)

As a Midwesterner, when I would think about the beach, I imagined golden light, soft waves, and carefree barefoot laughter – and yes, we often get all of that. But what I didn’t realize is how different the West Coast beaches can be. Wind, fog, chills even in July – thank you, Bay Area microclimates.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need perfection for a photo session to be meaningful. Some of my favorite images have come from sessions where a child refused to pose, or the wind decided to blow the wrong way. What matters most is how you show up and how willing you are to let your kids just be themselves. That’s when the good stuff happens.

I have a few tips that can take your beach session from chaos to connected perfection.

Tips for a Connected, Calm, and Comfortable Beach Session

The beach is not a formal setting, and sessions here look (and feel) different from being in an Oakland redwood grove or the foothills of Mt Diablo. Whether we’re shooting at the waterfront in Martinez, a cove in Benicia, or a tucked-away shoreline near Walnut Creek, here’s what I always share with my families ahead of a session.

1. Bring Layers… Always

Even if it’s sunny where you are, the coast is unpredictable. We sometimes experience a 30-degree difference between inland and coastal locations that are just 30 minutes apart. When checking weather, make sure to check your destination. For coastal sessions, I recommend:

• Cardigans, shawls, or a sweater for each person in your family. You might not need it, but if it’s chilly you’ll be glad you packed it!
• Tights or leggings for little girls.

2. Dress for the Setting (Not Like You’re Headed to a Gala)

We’re walking on sand, maybe running through shallow waves, collecting shells, crouching to explore seaweed. Your wardrobe should reflect that playful movement:

• Flowy fabrics like cotton, linen, or soft tulle photograph beautifully at the beach
• A simple sundress for mom, linen pants with the cuffs rolled up and a rolled-up button-down for dad look polished but totally fitting
• Go barefoot if you can – truly, it’s the most natural and beautiful look. But if that’s not comfortable, opt for cute sandals. Please skip the heels (yes, I’ve had someone try once)

3. Let the Kids Be Kids

There is absolutely no expectation that your toddler will stand still and follow directions. In fact, I’d much rather they didn’t. The beach is a playground, and a big part of our session will be letting your kids play freely. That gives us:

• Genuine laughter and connection
• Sweet parent-child moments, like letting you child sit on your shoulders while watching the sailboats or exploring tidepools together
• Natural pacing. Full sessions can follow their energy, not force a rigid schedule

When a toddler needs moment, we pause. When someone needs a snack, we break. No pressure, just presence.

4. Timing is Everything

Generally, we’ll aim for golden hour – that last hour before sunset – when the light is soft and warm. If you need an earlier time, I would recommend a session in the winter or fall when the sun sets much earlier.

5. Trust the Process

Honestly, the families who walk away with the most heartfelt images are the ones who let go a little. Who stop trying to control the kids’ every move. Who sink their toes in the sand, scoop their babies up when they cry, and just love on them anyway. That’s where the magic lives.

Why Beach Sessions Matter Beyond the Photos

There’s something about families at the beach that strips away the noise. You just… exist together. And in those sandy, splashy, sometimes chaotic moments, you see what really matters.

That’s why I love getting families out to these locations near Martinez, Walnut Creek, and across the East Bay. It’s a way of saying, “This season you’re in (even the messy, overwhelming parts) is worth remembering exactly as it is.”

Every grain of sand, every half-smile from a bashful toddler, every squinty-eyed laugh caught in the wind… it all tells your story. And it’s one worth preserving.

Ready to Hit the Sand? Let’s Talk Beach Sessions

If a beach family session has been sitting in the back of your mind, consider this your gentle nudge. I offer family photo sessions in Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek, and coastal East Bay locations that bring out the best in playful, connection-centered photography.

You don’t need perfect outfits or perfectly behaved children. You just need to show up, be present, and trust me to guide the rest.

Let’s capture your real, beautiful, windswept story.

Visit jennchenphotography.com to inquire or learn more about my East Bay family photography sessions.