Family Photography
Ryan Smith Photography’s portrait prices and information
Including Sunset Family Beach Portraits | Maternity Portraits | High School Senior Portraits & More
I specialize in candid and creative family beach photography for Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand. My beach photography sessions are fun and relaxed, and I’m happy to try any ideas and family groupings you have in mind. I do a small number of appointments each week, typically around sunset time. As a small local business, I handle everything myself, from photography to picture adjustments and touch-ups. I’ve been doing family photography in Myrtle Beach for over 15 years, so I’ve experienced every type of family situation imaginable.
My style as a Myrtle Beach family photographer
What I do is different from a typical inside studio portrait photographer. While I suggest traditional poses and family groupings, I take hundreds of shots in an hour or so session to capture the best moments and natural expressions. My favorite photos look like a family enjoying the beach together. I stay focused on keeping families happy and being patient, no matter what happens. Being patient and calm is often the most crucial aspect of being a great photographer.
We can do any family groupings you like. I usually take full group pictures, couples, families, grandparents with their grandkids, groups of kids, individual portraits, and anything else you’d like. I also take each group in multiple locations, so we have plenty of opportunities to capture some great shots. I’ve had many clients tell me it was the nicest experience they have had with a photographer. I hope I can make you feel the same way.
What makes my family photos stand out from other photographers in Myrtle Beach?
I prefer clear, crisp, pure color or black-and-white images, which I create with the best lenses and an expert understanding of lighting and flash. Some photographers say they can take their best pictures at any time of the day. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years, and nothing compares to the light of a sunset. This is why I only schedule one family photo session per day to take advantage of the ideal time and lighting. You will see the difference in my photo galleries.
I use the same high-end equipment for family pictures that I use at weddings for incredible clarity, ultra-fast focusing, and dreamy backgrounds. My powerful off-camera studio flash gives my photography a distinct look, setting it apart from “natural light only” or “light and airy” family beach pictures. You will see the colors of beautiful skies and a sparkle in my subject’s eyes. I include a reasonable amount of artistic and general touch-up Photoshop work at no charge. Make sure to check out my family photography gallery for more examples.
High School Senior Portraits
The pricing and information on this page also apply to high school senior portrait sessions. I like to keep these pictures fun and low-stress as well. I’m always happy to try any ideas for poses that you like. I love it when clients have ideas they want to try, such as things they have seen on Instagram or Pinterest. I also try to be helpful with poses and positioning so you look your best. Props are also great for senior portraits. I’ve had an artist bring her canvas and paints, a basketball player with his ball and jersey, and even an athlete do the hammer toss for a picture. Make sure to check out my high school senior gallery here.
Make sure to view my Family portraits or High school seniors photo galleries.
Latest features on my blog
Latest Family Portraits Sessions on Instagram
All-Inclusive Family Photography Prices for Myrtle Beach
This information includes family photography sessions, maternity portraits, and high school senior portrait sessions. I personally photograph all sessions.
Since my prices change over the year and I can offer discounts depending on availability, I now send my price list on request. I have very reasonable prices, so please click below and let me know your available dates, and I will send you more info. Thanks!
Includes:
Sunset Photo Session
Full-resolution digital files with copyright release
Credit for ordering prints
More Details
Time and Location: This photo session can be anywhere on the Grand Strand, from Pawleys Island to North Myrtle Beach. I travel to many more locations, but a small additional charge may apply. I like to plan the sessions about an hour or so before sunset. I only conduct one photo session per day to capture your pictures in ideal lighting. You can see the difference between my work and photographers who do sessions in harsh light by checking out my family gallery, senior portrait gallery, and my blog. View sunset times here. Please note that I cannot guarantee beautiful colors in the sky. Sometimes, the sky will be overcast or flat with no clouds, and at other times, it will have a bright glow when shooting into the sun. However, I will always ensure that my subjects look great and are correctly exposed. This is another reason I recommend state parks for their diverse background variations.
All-Inclusive Family Photography Package: There are no sitting fees or hidden charges. Please contact me for my current package price. I typically take 300-400 shots in about an hour or so (See note for parents below). This includes downloading the full-resolution digital files from the session (with copyright release), which is perfect for making your own prints of any size. These are not “straight from the camera.” I adjust each picture for color, lighting, and artistic quality. You will also get a print credit for ordering prints through your gallery. For example, a $75 credit could get you one 16×20 and four 8×10 prints. Shipping is not included and varies from $8 for standard prints and up, depending on product and location. Check current print prices here. If we do the pictures at one of my preferred State Park locations, I also have passes for two cars to get in at no charge.
Note for parents with small children: I have parents write me frequently saying they can’t do an hour session because they have small children. I’ve found that it’s the opposite. I need more time with small children rather than less. Sometimes, they start out smiling for the camera, and everything is great. More often than not, we have grumpy moods or difficult, sleepy starts. This is not a studio session where you sit in one spot. We are active, moving to different locations and taking action shots. Getting the type of great photos, you see on my website and social media can take a lot of patience and time, so I like not to be rushed for the pictures and always leave at least an hour for the session.
Another frequent request is to do the pictures earlier in the day. I know many toddlers are asleep by sunset time in the summer. But I’ve also had many parents who give the kids a nap during the day and keep them up late for one special evening. It makes such a huge difference to take pictures at sunset vs. earlier in the day. There is less heat, no sweaty faces, harsh shadows, and squinting eyes. Kids usually wake up and get in better moods once they get to the beach, even if it’s after usual bedtime.
Other Recommendations: If you are very concerned about your hair’s look, I highly recommend Huntington Beach State Park. There is a lovely beach that can be windy, but also a castle and trees area that are more sheltered. Or an off-the-beach location like the Conway River Walk. Also, think about what your outfits will look like if there is a strong wind. See more recommendations here.
Deposit: To book your photography, I request a $200 deposit, deducted from your total session price, that can be paid by CashApp, Venmo, Check, or Credit Card. Please see the Q&A section for details. This deposit is refundable up to 3 months from the session date. After that, I can’t refund the deposit for cancellation, with the exception of rain. If it rains and we can’t reschedule during the week, you will get a full refund. Rain is often in the forecast in Myrtle Beach, and it ends up nice at the session time, so I can’t cancel based only on the forecast.
Most of the questions people ask me about the photo sessions I’ve answered on my Q&A page. Please click below for much more detailed information.
Latest Family Portrait Reviews – Click here for more
I hired Ryan Smith Photography in August 2024 to photograph my family during our vacation in North Myrtle Beach. It was a last minute trip and I contacted Ryan less than two weeks in advance. He was immediately responsive, communicated clearly, and was(...)
Our family planned a summer trip to North Myrtle Beach and thought this was a perfect opportunity for family photos. On a Google search and then by reviewing Instagram, we liked Ryan’s photography and reached out to see if he was available. He spent a full hour(...)
We loved our beach pictures!!! Ryan was easy to work with, communication was professional, and his photography is exquisite. He was friendly, energetic, and focused throughout the session. Thank you for capturing beautiful photos and lasting memories for our family!
We had such a great experience with Ryan for my daughters senior photos. He was so accommodating by coming to us and making the experience easier and smooth for us. He is a natural behind the camera and got some great shots at the best time of day. We could not(...)