Getting your portraits taken while on vacation can seem a little overwhelming because you have one chance to get everything right…

I’m here to make sure our session goes as smoothly as possible and so I’ve rounded up some things that maybe you have or haven’t thought of yet and want to make the most out of your time with me.

Schedule your session two or three days before your return

Planning your session a few days before your return flight is the best way to ensure that if anything goes wrong, the weather doesn’t allow for great photos, we still have a couple of days to reschedule your session to a more ideal time.

It rains a lot and sometimes the weather can be unpredictable or the location can be closed off, especially right now with COVID where the world is still taking its time to open fully.

The sessions last about an hour and so really it’s quick and won’t take up much time from your vacation.

Bug Repellent

Bugs are really common here - especially mosquitoes. And they are a pain in you know what and having bug spray or cream works wonders.

I recently had a morning session, we’re talking about 730am! and there were mosquitoes like no other! I get bit and it seems like they look for me honestly so I always put on bug repellent in order to make sure that I’m not uncomfortable during the session.

Off and Fly Away are great ones to consider. If you forget this at home, don’t worry, the shop at your hotel or a local pharmacy will have what you need.

Baby powder

Okay, hear me out… I learned this trick through a deep rabbit hole on Pinterest and it absolutely works! Baby powder is great for getting wet or stuck sand off your feet and anywhere on your body.

Just sprinkle it on, wait a few seconds, and then rub off with a towel. It’s that simple!

Foot powder works too just make sure the mint isn’t irritating to your skin. Getting a small bottle of this can help if you don’t like sand or want to get the sand off without getting wet.

I literally never go to the beach without baby powder now and it’s saved us a lot of sand in the car and keeping sand off of faces without having to get wet. A true lifesaver if there ever was one.

Hat & sunglasses

It can be hot, especially here in Puerto Vallarta and while in the shade it’s perfectly comfortable, while out on the beach and in the sun, it can be harsh. The beaches here generally don’t have any cover or trees at the shore so it’s best to bring some sunglasses or a hat so that when I’m photographing details or other members of your family you are not uncomfortable.

They also work as great props for the session too!

Don’t be afraid to add ideas

I love it when my clients have ideas for poses and setups that help the session give them exactly what they want. If you see a great location at your hotel that you’d love to have as the backdrop to our session, let’s do it! If you see a great wall with pretty flowers you want for photos, let’s do it! If you want a photo of you sipping a great cocktail poolside, let’s do it!

Let’s do all the photos that you want! Because, and if you’ve been reading along for quite some time here, you’ll see that I repeat often that THESE ARE YOUR PHOTOS, NOT MINE.

Sure it’s cool having them to post on my website and on social media, but they aren’t going on my walls. They’re going on your walls. They’re going to sit in an album on your coffee table, they’re getting framed for your college student to hang in their dorm.

So you have full authority to tell me what you want and where and all the things. I’m here to give that to you - the best photos you want!

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Making the most out of your vacation beach portraits doesn’t have to feel like more work or overwhelming, it can be easy and smooth like an extension of your vacation. An added bonus, if you will!

Let’s do it!