Shooting on the beach.

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Having crossed this planet filming for the making of, MOWP, and MOWP 2, I have on a number of occasions had the opportunity to film some of the best in the industry shoot on beach locations. Predominantly though this has been in places where said locations have been on the doorstep, (so to speak), and have therefore been accessible to both photographer and client.

Strange though it may seem, it is easier for a photographer to meet up in this kind of location in Australia or in Los Angeles than it is in the UK.

That said: I have the opportunity to shoot on a great beach most every wedding that I do.

Ireland,( where I am based), is a small place and on the west coast, beaches are blessed with the white coral sands carried on the gulf stream and washed ashore from North to South and since Ireland is a small island the furthest you can be away from one is about an hour and a half drive.

They do however come with their own set of problems. Glaring white coral sand can play havoc with meter readings not to mention the wind blowing sand all over the place, so watch out if you have to change lenses lest your sensor ends up with more spots than a cheetah with chicken pox.

Better off to take two bodies already locked and loaded with the glass that will see you through the beach shoot.

The weather on the day also plays a big part in the type of images you may end up with and although this is true wherever your location is, it seems that the weather can make an even bigger difference when working on a beach. Apart from the obvious like wet sand not blowing in your face, the light can change quite dramatically between bouncing off the sand as well as the sea itself.

I do,(despite the problems), like the prospect of beach shots; it makes a change from the church and the reception venues and the photographer has licence to be a little more creative with the client and with various backgrounds too, be it the beach itself the sea or sky.

On the last beach shoot I did, we even managed to talk the car driver into taking the car onto the sand.