Searching for the perfect beach location in Northern Indiana and lower Michigan can be quite a challenge. I’m here to help you think outside the box. Years of experience photographing families, high school seniors, couples, and maternity beach photo sessions have taught me a great deal.
Planning Your Beach Photo Session? Let’s Make It Easy and Fun!
Accessibility:
- If anyone in your group has difficulty walking or uses a wheelchair, consider renting a sand wheelchair.
Best Time of Day:
- The magical hour is about one hour before sunset. (But heads up—this might be late for little ones!)
- Cloudy days? No worries! We can shoot earlier, but too many clouds might mean rescheduling.
Weather Check (because Indiana is moody!):
- Too hot and humid? Makeup melts and shiny skin isn’t camera-friendly.
- Too cold? Goosebumps aren’t exactly stylish.
- Windy? Sand in the eyes isn’t fun (trust me).
- Keep an eye on forecasts the week and day of your shoot.
Choosing Your Season:
- Fall brings neutral tones and pretty dried seagrass.
- Spring and Summer boast vibrant greens and lush foliage.
- Weekdays are best—beaches are packed on weekends.
- Holiday weekends? Best to avoid unless you’ve got private beach access.
Home Decor Friendly:
- Your beach portraits will hang proudly for decades—let’s create classic, timeless photos you’ll always love!
Family & Groups:
- If weather’s tricky and you can’t reschedule, my studio (just 25 minutes from Michigan City and New Buffalo, MI) is a fabulous backup.
- Coordinating outfits is key! Our pre-session style meeting ensures everyone looks amazing and matches your home or lake cottage decor.
Now for the fun part! Here are my favorite beaches in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan, not in any particular order. Which beach is your aesthetic?
New Buffalo Beach, Michigan (Smaller beach with wooden boardwalk and stairs)
Weko Beach, Bridgman, Michigan (More remote and quiet, also had wooden boardwalk and stairs)
Warren Dunes State Park (Tower Hill), Berrien County, Michigan (Very rustic and has lots of woods, beaches, wooden stairs, and fallen trees for posing)
Washington Park and Beach, Michigan City, Indiana (Epic lighthouse, smaller beach, more urban area)
📸 Let’s turn those Lake Michigan vibes into artwork for your walls!
Grab your favorite people and let’s make some memories.
Book your session here before those summer dates fill up!
💌 Not ready to book just yet?
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