Planning my first destination senior shoot in 30A was both exciting and a little nerve wracking- that’s a lot of weight on your shoulders! It’s something I took very seriously and wanted to make sure I gave it my all! When you’re photographing in a place that isn’t your home base, it’s important to make sure you’re doing things the right way — respecting the area, the community, and the local photographers who work there regularly.
Here are a few things I did to prepare for my first 30A destination session.
1. Make Sure You Understand the Local Rules
The first thing I wanted to do was make sure I was respectful of the city and the area I was photographing in. Every beach town has its own rules when it comes to professional photography, permits, and commercial use.
I spent time researching the local regulations and looking into the city laws and permit requirements. I also reached out to a local agency to confirm some of the rules, especially around how they define commercial versus non-commercial photography. You might be surprised how differently those terms can be interpreted depending on the location.
Taking the time to understand the rules ahead of time helps protect both you and your client, and it shows respect for the community you’re working in.
2. Connect With Local Photographers
Another thing I did was reach out to a local photographer in the area. I simply asked if there was anything important I should know or be aware of when photographing in 30A, and if they had any recommendations for hair and makeup artists.
They were incredibly kind and generous with their advice.
Building relationships within the photography community is so important. Whenever possible, I always try to show appreciation — whether that’s through kind words, a small thank you gift card, or referring clients that I’m unable to photograph myself.
Supporting each other helps strengthen the entire photography community.
3. Do Your Location Research
Before arriving, I spent time doing a lot of research on possible shoot locations.
Some of the ways I did this included:
searching Instagram hashtags for the area
using Google Maps to explore streets and neighborhoods
looking at potential beaches and nearby towns
researching location ideas online
Doing this ahead of time helps you arrive with a plan instead of starting from scratch once you’re there.
4. Plan for Extra Wiggle Room
Whenever I plan destination sessions, I always give myself extra flexibility in the schedule.
Weather can be unpredictable, especially in coastal areas. Having wiggle room allows you to shift the shoot if needed without feeling rushed or stressed.
This buffer time can make a huge difference in the overall experience for both you and your client.
5. Consider Planning a Sunrise Session
One of the best decisions I made was planning a sunrise session.
There are a couple reasons sunrise works so well in places like 30A:
1. There are far fewer crowds early in the morning (during certain times of the year, certain places can feel impossible to shoot due to the crowds)
2. The beaches feel calm and quiet
3. You have more flexibility if weather changes later in the day
During my time there, I quickly learned that the weather can change pretty fast along the coast. Starting early gives you more options if adjustments are needed.
6. Arrive Early to Scout Locations
Even though I researched locations ahead of time, I still made sure to arrive early and explore the area before the session.
This allowed me to:
-confirm the locations I had researched
-find new hidden spots I hadn’t planned for
-look for beach access points that were less crowded
Sometimes the best locations are the ones you discover while simply walking around and exploring.
Bringing It All Together
Planning a destination senior session takes a little more preparation, but it is completely worth it. Taking time to research the area, respect local guidelines, connect with photographers in the community, and scout locations ahead of time can make the entire experience so much smoother and more enjoyable.
Another piece that helps everything come together is having a consistent editing workflow. When I travel for sessions, I want to know that no matter the location, lighting, or weather, my images will still have that same light, bright, colorful look that my seniors love. That is one of the reasons I created my presets for senior photographers. They help keep colors vibrant and skin tones natural so every session still feels cohesive with my brand.
When you prepare well ahead of time, both with your planning and your editing process, you can arrive at the session feeling confident and ready to focus on what matters most, creating beautiful images for your senior.
