My Weekend at Seagrove Beach, Florida

Being a photographer, I am almost never without a camera. This past weekend, we joined my extended family for some fun in Seagrove Beach, Florida. Ever since my nephew was born six months ago, we just can’t get enough time with him. Between his dad and me, I think he has to be the most photographed baby of all time!

Let’s be honest. ALL babies are not equally cute. I understand that their parents may think so, but the camera does not. In my case, this little guy is so photogenic I think I could get him work in Hollywood.

Okay, so I’m just a little biased but this is one happy baby! Does he cry? Of course he does. That’s how mommy knows it’s time to feed him again. So far, he has been breast or bottle fed. On this day I was in for a real treat. I’m so glad I had my camera close by. Momma and daddy decided it was time to try some soft food by spoon. At first there was more food going on baby (and daddy who was holding him) then into baby. But as I stood shooting this somewhat hysterical event, I realized that I had just witnessed one of the miracles of human life. The ability to learn. Within just a few minutes, baby had learned to open his mouth and swallow the food. Not having children of my own, I found this quite amazing.

Apparently baby found this rather humorous. Look what a mess he was. Not only was he getting his belly full and learning to eat soft food, but he was having a great time doing so as you can see below.

No family trip to the beach would be complete without a group portrait. I started scouting locations on our first day but when a baby is on board, the world revolves around him and his needs. Between that and the weather, it wasn’t until our last day that we had everything just right for the shot I wanted. Tripod, camera, remote trigger, bounced flash and Golden Hour lighting. Add some dunes and a few sea oats and you have the perfect recipe.

With a lot of help from a friend of the family who so graciously made a fool of himself dancing and “walking like an Egyptian” just behind the camera to get baby’s attention and hopefully a smile, everything came together to produce a smart family portrait (if I do say so myself).

Lighting was a little trickier against the setting sun, but this time of day makes for brilliant sky backgrounds when the sun makes the clouds glow with golden light. Again, dancing behind the camera gets baby’s attention. What happens behind the camera stays behind the camera…

Not a lot of time for many more photos before the sky goes dark, but I was able to catch a few quick groupings.

Making memories is such a precious thing to me. Baby’s first trip to the beach. Baby’s first taste of sand. Baby’s first time playing with the waves as they rose up on the shore. Baby’s first time being spoon fed. One day he will look back at these photos and although he won’t remember those events, his parents certainly will. And so will I.

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