Frequently Asked Questions

When should I book my session?

As early as you possibly can, especially for sunrise and sunset. There is only one sunrise and one sunset each day, and those slots are the first to go. Spring break, summer, and fall travel weeks along 30A book out weeks in advance. I have had families reach out on a Tuesday for a Saturday sunset and find nothing available for their entire trip. If your travel dates are set, reach out the moment you confirm. Morning sessions have more flexibility, but even those fill during peak season. I have been photographing families on these beaches for 10+ years and the one thing I hear more than anything is that people wish they had booked sooner. DM me SUNSET or SUNRISE on Instagram to check availability fast.

Where on 30A and the Emerald Coast do you shoot?

All along the corridor… Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, WaterSound Beach, Seagrove Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach, Inlet Beach, Miramar Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach. After 10+ years on these beaches I know exactly which access points have the best light at each time of day, where parking is easy, which spots stay quiet during peak season, and where to position your family for the most beautiful backdrop at each location. When you book, I ask where you are staying and recommend the best spot for your session type. You do not have to figure any of that out.

How do payment plans work?

A $250 retainer holds your date and locks in your session. The remaining balance is due before your gallery is delivered. For sessions booked within 30 days of your session date, full payment is due at booking. That is it, no complicated installment schedules, no surprise fees at delivery. Everything included in your package is listed on this page and that is exactly what you get.

How do we book for multiple families or a reunion?

For extended family sessions — grandparents, cousins, multiple family units traveling together, I offer dedicated group pricing that allows time to photograph the full group together plus individual family units separately. The standard single-family packages are designed for one immediate family of up to 6 people. For anything larger or multi-generational, see the group session pricing page for details on how that works and what it includes.

Do you come to our beach house or rental property?

All sessions are held at beach access locations, not private rental properties. This is intentional…the light, the backdrop, and the space to move around freely are all better at the beach than in a backyard or on a deck. I schedule sessions back to back during peak season, so having a consistent meeting point keeps everything running on time for every family. If you are staying in a private community along 30A, I can advise on nearby access points and help you select the best location close to where you are staying.

What happens if it rains on our session day?

Florida coast weather moves fast and most showers clear quickly. I monitor the forecast closely in the days leading up to your session and communicate early if we need to adjust timing or shift dates. In 10+ years of shooting on these beaches I have only had a handful of sessions fully rained out, flexibility and timing almost always save it. Overcast skies actually create beautiful, soft, even light that photographs incredibly well, so a cloudy day is not a bad day.

Who will be photographing our session — you or Makayla?

Both Lisa and Makayla are experienced photographers with 10+ years on the Emerald Coast, and the editing style, posing approach, and gallery aesthetic are consistent across every session we shoot. When you book, I will let you know who is scheduled for your date. For larger sessions, we sometimes shoot together as a team, which means more coverage, more angles, and more of the real moments captured. Either way you are getting the same look, the same experience, and the same level of care.

Do you guide posing or do we have to figure it out ourselves?

I direct everything. You show up, I take care of the rest. I give gentle, natural direction throughout the session so nobody is standing there stiff and awkward wondering what to do with their hands. The goal is always to capture how your family actually feels about each other…the real laughing, the kids being kids, the moments between the posed ones and I know exactly how to get there without it feeling staged. This is what 10+ years on these beaches looks like in practice.

What should we wear?

Every client receives a personalized style guide after booking with specific guidance for your family's look, the beach you are shooting at, and the time of day. The short version: soft coordinated tones in creams, blushes, sage greens, and warm neutrals photograph beautifully against the Emerald Coast. Avoid bright white, neon colors, and busy patterns that compete with the scenery. Flowy dresses and linen fabrics are especially stunning in morning and evening light. The style guide takes the guesswork completely out of it.

Why does gallery delivery take longer for some sessions than others?

Turnaround time reflects both session length and demand during peak season. Sunrise and Sunset Sessions deliver within 2 weeks because the image volume is higher and those clients typically want their galleries quickly after vacation. Full Sessions deliver within 1 month. Half Sessions deliver within 6 weeks. Every gallery goes through the same full editing process regardless of turnaround time, the difference is sequencing, not quality. If you have a specific deadline, mention it when you inquire and I will do my best to accommodate.

How does 30A Beach Photographer pricing compare to other photographers in the area?

Sessions start at $500 for a Half Beach Session and go to $900 for Sunrise and Sunset Sessions. Every package includes fully edited images, a print release, a private online gallery, and a style guide — no add-on fees, no surprise charges at delivery. What you are also getting with that price is 10+ years of location knowledge on these specific beaches, a photographer who knows where the best light falls at Rosemary Beach at 7am versus Grayton Beach at golden hour, and a session experience designed to feel effortless rather than stressful. A lot of photographers can take photos on a beach. Not many know these beaches the way I do.

How much does a 30A beach photographer cost?

Sessions with 30A Beach Photographer start at $500 for a Half Beach Session — 10 to 15 minutes, 10 to 15 fully edited images, perfect for a quick beautiful set of family portraits on your vacation. Full Beach Sessions are $700 for 25 to 30 minutes and 25 to 30 images. Sunrise and Sunset Sessions are $900 for 40 to 60 minutes and 40 to 60 images with a 2-week gallery turnaround. All packages include edited images, print release, a private online gallery, and a style guide. A $250 retainer holds your date with payment plans available. DM me SUNSET or SUNRISE on Instagram to check availability, or fill out the inquiry form and I will be back to you within 24 hours.