Engagement Session at Fred Howard Beach: What Wind Taught Us About Photos, Planning, and Letting Go

You know those Pinterest-perfect engagement photos where every strand of hair is in place and not a soul is in the background? Yeah… this was not one of those days.

When Cayley and Chris showed up to Fred Howard Beach for their engagement session, they were glowing, adorable, and ready. What we weren’t ready for? The wind. (Picture “Gale” from Frozen 2, but with a personal vendetta against hairdos.).

What We Learned (The Breezy Way)

Cayley and Chris were sweet, stylish, and completely up for anything. Cayley wore a super cute, short dress (which looked amazing in the calm moments) but quickly turned into a Marilyn Monroe moment the second the breeze hit. Thankfully, she came prepared with shorts underneath. A genius move I now recommend to every bride planning a beach session.

We also had a bit of trouble with her hair. The wind would whip into her face, then into Chris’s face, and then both of them would just crack up. It was a comedy scene straight out of I Love Lucy. When the breeze refused to cooperate, I had her hold it back near her ear, which worked perfectly. In the photos it looks like she’s casually running her fingers through her hair. Crisis averted, photo saved.

When things really got intense, my brilliant husband (and second shooter) whipped out our reflector and used it as a makeshift wind shield. Not only is he a photographer, he’s also an engineer, so he's always finding mechanical solutions to all my problems

Windy Day Engagement Photo Tips that Actually Help

This session was such a good reminder that beach shoots require a little extra thought. If you're planning one, here’s what I recommend:

• Bobby pins or a strong clip for backup hair support

• Skip the lip gloss. It looks great until your hair sticks to it

• If you're wearing a short dress, wear shorts underneath. Or better yet, go with a long, flowy dress. They photograph beautifully and don’t try to flash the camera

• Pack water and stay hydrated

• Use a hairspray that holds without turning your hair into a helmet

• Talk to your hairdresser. A half-up style or chic updo might save your sanity

• Consider magnetic dress weights to help keep things grounded

Best Time for Engagement Photos at Fred Howard Beach

We timed the session for sunset, which is always my favorite time to shoot. The light was dreamy, the water was glowing, and the rocks on the shoreline looked like a painting. Of course, that’s also when the tourists show up in full force. It turns into a little game of "avoid the photobomb," but with some patience, we got everything we needed.

We kept shooting right up until the beach patrol casually rolled by. We took the hint. But as we walked back to the cars, I couldn’t stop snapping because that last bit of light was pure gold and I knew the best shots were happening right then.

So, Should You Still Do a Beach Session?

Absolutely. Beach engagement sessions are some of my favorites. The colors, the laid-back vibe, and the sense of adventure you can’t quite fake it all photographs beautifully.

But you do need to plan ahead and expect the unexpected. A little preparation can make all the difference. And let’s be honest, a strong hairspray doesn’t hurt either.