Will Wind Ruin Beach Photos?
Preparing for Wind: A Fenwick Island Family Photographer’s Guide
As a Fenwick Island family photographer, this is one of the questions I hear most before a session. Wind is part of beach photography on the Delaware coast, and it’s nothing to stress over. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare.
Will wind ruin my beach photos?
Nahhh. A little wind will not ruin your photos. Some of my favorite family portraits have come from a breezy day on the sand. A few flyaways or windswept moments usually read as candid and full of life rather than messy.
How to Prepare for Wind Before Your Session
A few small things in your beach bag make a big difference:
- Headbands, hair clips, or hair ties for anyone with longer hair
- A small travel size hairspray or gel – yes, this includes for gentlemen, too
- A loose braid or low ponytail for a polished look that still moves naturally in photos
This applies to the whole family.
What to Expect on Session Day
Some wind-blown hair is normal for a coastal Delaware session. It’s part of what makes a beach portrait feel genuine instead of staged in a studio. If you’d prefer a more controlled look, let’s talk before your session about styling choices that can help.
Important Reminder: Wind happens. We are on the coast, that’s the deal.
When you’re sitting on the beach, you welcome it. It cools you off, it feels good on your skin. But the second you’re in front of a camera, you look at that same wind and think about it ruining your hair.
Mentally prepare for this now. You booked a beach photo session, none of us can control the wind, and the beach brings the wind. It’s not bad luck, it’s just where we are.
Your hair is going to move. It’s not a flaw, that’s the beach.
How I Plan Sessions Around Wind
I try to avoid shooting in anything much stronger than 13-15 knots. Above that, hair, clothing, sand movement, and standing steady on the sand can all become difficult. When the forecast calls for a breeze, I position your family with the wind coming toward your faces, which keeps hair moving away from faces instead of into them.
Delaware coast weather can shift quickly, and sometimes wind shows up even when the forecast didn’t call for it. If that happens during your Fenwick Island session, we adjust on the spot and keep things moving. A little breeze has never stopped a great family photo session yet.
Pack the hair ties, bring the hairspray, and trust that we’ll take care of the rest together on the beach.
