One or twice a year, I like to make a blog post looking back at some of my favorite family, maternity, and senior portrait pictures from the past few months. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook , you can see these pictures and many more right after I finish working on them. The Spring and Summer of 2023 has been one of my busiest ever. It seems like Myrtle Beach keeps increasing in popularity.
My usual location for family pictures is the Huntington Beach State Park. Even in the busy summer, it’s less crowded than other areas on the beach. The beach there is also huge, so there are many ways to escape the crowds. The park’s many sheltered areas are also helpful on windy days. We had a lot of damage to the dunes from a hurricane last year. So I’ve switched some of my “family sitting together in the sand” pictures from in front of the dunes to the greenery-covered beach path behind the Atalaya Castle. This is a beautiful spot and an excellent alternative to dunes pictures. I hope the dunes recover by next year, and the sea oats return, but I will still use this spot when it’s not too crowded.
I also had many repeat clients, which I always love to see. One of my wedding couples from two years ago came for pictures with their cute new baby boy. Another of my previous wedding clients came to me for maternity portraits, and I’m sure I’ll see them again soon with their new baby. I did a lot of other maternity portrait sessions this year. I especially liked one at the Pelican Inn in Pawleys Island. This was a very sweet couple, and she proudly showed off her baby bump for the pictures. I like it when couples have the baby slippers, ultrasound images, or other things to hold together.
Of course, I had my usual struggles with grumpy two and three-year-old toddlers. You can’t force smiles at that age, so I just let them run around, make their families do silly things behind me, and try to keep everything fun and relaxed. I always get some excellent smiles no matter how long it takes, even if the parents are worn out by the time we are done. I got some new Sony cameras recently with more advanced AI autofocus to help track and keep the kids in focus as they run around on the beach.
I took a lot of senior portraits this year as well. I even had a group of 5 crazy teenage girls and their mothers for senior portraits all at once in the Myrtle Beach State Park. They had a great time, but I was worn out after that session. One of my senior portraits was for a family I’ve taken pictures of many times over the years. She was seven when I first did their family photographs, and now all grown up. It was making me feel really old. We took the pictures at the Conway Riverwalk, which turned out beautiful. I did several family sessions at the Conway Riverwalk this year as well. It’s an excellent alternative if a family wants to get away from the beach.
Of course, I took pictures at locations up and down the Grand Strand from Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island and even Debordieu in Georgetown. I’m always happy to come to your location if you have a nice spot on the beach. I did a couple of sessions under the beautiful mossy oaks at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club in Pawleys Island. This is a great location, but I don’t recommend it in the summer because they close at 5pm, so we have to take pictures in the hot and sunny time of the day, and it can be pretty crowded. It’s beautiful for off season pictures and times when it’s a bit cooler.
I hope you enjoy the look back at some of my recent pictures. If you are planning family, maternity, or senior portraits in Myrtle Beach please get in touch.
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family of 5 reflecting in the water – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures after rain around the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Family of 5 sitting together by the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom portraits in a sparkly blue gown in front of the dunes – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom portraits in a sparkly blue gown in front of the dunes – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom portrait in front of the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits by the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Girl sitting on the beach with her prom dress flowing around her – Huntington Beach State Park
Girl sitting on the beach with her prom dress flowing around her – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits by the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Spinning in her prom dress – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom portraits on the beach path – Huntington Beach State Park
Prom portraits by the castle window – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Happy family by the trees in the park – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family pictures in the Spring on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
4 little brothers by the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Baby boy with huge smile – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Dad lifting baby boy in the air – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with 4 little boys on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Cute baby boy on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy little boy with mom and grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Little girl leaning against the ivy wall – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family group by the dunes – Huntington Beach State Park
Grandparents and Grandkids – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with grandparents on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family taking pictures around the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family taking pictures around the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family taking pictures around the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family taking pictures around the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family taking pictures around the Atalaya Castle in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Mom and dad doing a surprise proposal with the kids – Huntington Beach State Park
Mom and dad doing a surprise proposal with the kids – Huntington Beach State Park
Mom and dad doing a surprise proposal with the kids – Huntington Beach State Park
Mom and dad doing a surprise proposal with the kids – Huntington Beach State Park
Mom and dad doing a surprise proposal with the kids – Huntington Beach State Park
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Family portrait in front of the oaks at sunset – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Brother giving a silly pose with his sister and cousin – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Beautiful family pictures in front of the mossy oaks on the river – Wachesaw Plantation
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Big family group on the beach – Garden City Beach
Mom Lifting little boy into the air with a big smile – Garden City Beach
Baby boy sitting by the ocean – Garden City Beach
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Early spring on the beach with a family of four – Huntington Beach State Park
Leaning by the ivy wall – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Girl in pink dress standing under the oaks by the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Portrait on the beach path – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits on the path to the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Laying on the beach with hands framing the face – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portrait in front of the ocean on a cloudy evening looking off into the distance – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portraits on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Large family group on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Large family group on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Large family group on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Large family group on the beach – Myrtle Beach State Park
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Happy family behind the resort – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Sisters and mom touching her pregnant belly – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Maternity portrait by the ocean – Island Vista Resort
Windy evening with a fun family group – Island Vista Resort
Senior playing guitar by the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Male senior portrait with his guitar – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior boy playing guitar on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset at the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Little boy with curly hair by the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset at the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset at the Atalaya Castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Guys showing off their muscles – Huntington Beach State Park
Portrait standing in front of the trees – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior leaning against the pier – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portrait laying in the sand – Myrtle Beach State Park
Five senior girls holding their caps in the air – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Senior portraits with 5 girls at the same time – Myrtle Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portrait by the castle window – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portrait by the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Maternity portraits on the beach with a beautiful sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Kiss during maternity portraits standing in the edge of the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Happy father and grandfather lifting boy in the air – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family of 4 having a lot of fun together – Pawleys Island
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family with new baby boy on the pathway to the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with very cute toddler on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior girl in cap and robe on the beach path – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portrait standing in the edge of the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior girl with a hand on her cap posing in front of the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior throwing her cap in the air – Huntington Beach State Park
Senior portrait of girl laying in the edge of the ocean – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun senior portrait running through the ocean splashing up water – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Family pictures with my previous wedding clients – Huntington Beach State Park
Pulling on granddad’s beard – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Big family around the castle – Huntington Beach State Park
Kids with grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Beautiful sunset behind the dunes for family pictures – Huntington Beach State Park
Beautiful sunset behind the dunes for family pictures – Huntington Beach State Park
Beautiful sunset behind the dunes for family pictures – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy parents getting a big hug from their adult children on the path to the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with adult children on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with a rainbow in the background – Huntington Beach State Park
Family under the oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Little boy sitting by the river – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Family with two boys and a baby girl under the mossy oaks – Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Mom holding baby in the air – Myrtle Beach State Park
Guys showing their muscles – Myrtle Beach State Park
Family on the boardwalk – North Myrtle Beach
Babies by the ocean – North Myrtle Beach
Babies by the ocean – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy baby with mom and dad by the dunes – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Happy family on the beach with great grandmother – North Myrtle Beach
Grandparents walking down the beach – North Myrtle Beach
Baby with sunglasses – North Myrtle Beach
Happy baby laying on blanket by the ocean at sunset – North Myrtle Beach
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family walking from the sunset – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
Brothers having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Sunset on the beach in Pawleys Island – Huntington Beach State Park
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
Little boy sitting on the dock – Conway Riverwalk
After rain pictures on the river boardwalks – Conway Riverwalk
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Big hugs from a happy family of 7 with grandparents – Huntington Beach State Park
Happy family of 7 sitting on the path to the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Fun family with 5 kids on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park
Family with colorful outfits having fun on the beach – Huntington Beach State Park