Family Photography
Ryan Smith Photography’s portrait prices and information
Including Sunset Family Beach Portraits | Maternity Portraits | High School Senior Portraits & More
Make sure to view my Family portraits or High school seniors photo galleries.
Latest features on my blog
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 glad to try any ideas and family groupings you desire. I do a small number of appointments each week, typically around sunset time. As a small local business, I also do everything myself, from the photography to the adjustments and touch-ups of the pictures. 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 sometimes the most important part of being a great photographer!
We can do any family groupings you like. I usually take full group pictures, couples, families, grandparents with grandkids, groups of kids, individual portraits, and anything else you want. I also do everything in multiple locations, so we have plenty of opportunities to get 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.
Quality of finished pictures
I prefer clear, crisp, and pure color and black-and-white images that I create with the best lenses and an expert understanding of lighting and flash. I use the same equipment as at my weddings, like expensive prime lenses and powerful off-camera studio strobe lighting. This gives a different look from ordinary “natural light only” family beach pictures. 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 when clients have ideas they want to try, such as things they have seen on Instagram or Pinterest. 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.
All Inclusive Family Photography Prices for Myrtle Beach
These prices include family photography sessions, maternity portraits, and high school senior portrait sessions. All sessions are done by myself personally.
$400 March Session Special Price
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, April | $500
May, Sep, Oct, Nov | $600
Jun, Jul, Aug | $800
Includes:
Sunset Photo Session
Full Resolution Digital Files
$75 Credit for Prints
More Details
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 there may be a small extra charge. I like to plan the sessions about an hour or so before sunset. Check out sunset times here.
All-Inclusive Package: There are no sitting fees or other charges. This includes the photo session with no set limit on pictures. I typically take 200-400 shots in about an hour or so. This also includes a download of the full-resolution digital files from the session (with copyright release), perfect for 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 $75 credit for ordering prints through the gallery. Additional prints can also be (optionally) ordered through your online client gallery at very reasonable prices. 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.
Additional Large Group Fee: If you have more than 10 people in your group, it’s an extra $50 for every additional 5 people over the first 10 (maximum $150 additional fee for huge groups, for example, over 25 people). Keep in mind everyone in the group can download the pictures, and we can take lots of photos with each family unit in the group as well as the whole family together.
Sales Tax: SC requires a sales tax of 8% added if you are a resident of SC.
Other Recommendations: If you are very concerned about the look of your hair, I would highly recommend Huntington Beach State Park, where there is a beach and a castle and trees area that is more sheltered. Or an off-the-beach location like the Conway River Walk or Caledonia Golf Club. The beach can be very windy. Also, think about what your outfits will look like if there is strong wind. See more recommendations here.
Deposit: To book your photography, I request a $200 deposit, deducted from your total, 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. Once you have booked a date, I can’t book anyone else, which is why I am asking for the deposit. Of course, I will refund you for rain if we can’t reschedule during the week.
Most 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
We had a wonderful experience with Ryan! Days before the photo shoot, we had horrible weather come in. On the day of the shoot, it was raining hard, dark sky and didn’t look so good. I sent him an email and(...)
Ryan was fantastic! He handled our incredibly cranky and fussy toddler so well and still got some great photos! With teens, teen's friends, toddler, and all of us. Photos are stunning. Definitely keepsakes for(...)
Ryan was incredible working with our family. It's not easy to shoot a family with 7 kids 10 and under but he did an excellent job. If you are looking for a photographer, you can't do better than Ryan!
Ryan was awesome to work with for our family photos. Everything turned out so well it’s hard to pick what to print!