Capturing timeless family moments across Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
Welcome to Jon Hauge Photography. I will work with you to turn your vacation moments into lifelong memories. Specializing in high-end family beach portraits, senior portraits, surprise proposals, and coastal weddings, I know exactly how to work with the unique lighting of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Whether you are staying at a turquoise-water condo in Orange Beach, exploring the dunes of Gulf Shores, withdrawing to a quite beach house in Fort Morgan, on a getaway at Dauphin Island, or visiting the quiet shores of Perdido Key, my goal is to capture the authentic connection of your family against the backdrop of our world-famous white sands. If you are staying at one of the larger condos like Turquoise Place or Phoenix Resorts, we can have the session there or I recommend Johnson Beach with it’s pristine beaches if you want a more natural look.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beach Photography
What is the best time of day for an Orange Beach photo session?
The best time for a beach photoshoot is during "Golden Hour"—which is the hour right before sunset. The Gulf Coast sun is incredibly bright during midday, causing harsh shadows and squinting. Golden hour provides soft, warm, and flattering light that makes your portraits look magical.
What should our family wear for beach portraits?
Light, breathable fabrics look best against the white sand and blue water. Coordinating colors works much better than perfectly matching outfits. Neutral tones, soft pastels, whites, tans, and shades of light blue complement the natural beach scenery beautifully. Avoid heavy patterns or large logos.
How do you handle unpredictable Gulf Coast weather?
Coastal weather can change quickly, but passing summer rain showers usually clear up just in time for an incredible sunset. We keep a close eye on the local radar on the day of your session. If we face persistent rain or dangerously high winds, we will work together to reschedule your session to the next available clear evening during your vacation.
Why Choose Me as Your Beach Photographer?
Experience with the ever changing conditions on the Gulf Coast
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Conditions can literally change from one minute to the next. Wind can start gusting and really bright sun can cause glare and uncomfortable conditions. I factor these in during the photo session. I use a combination of natural light and flash photography to maximize your experience and portraits. I also encourage my clients to watch the hourly reports over the daily forecast. The most beautiful sunsets can happen when the forecast calls for 100% rain for the day but the hourly report shows it clearing by sunset.
Creating a comfortable environment
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Most clients do not know how to pose. I try to keep it simple and suggest poses that flatter the subject. However I strive for natural and authentic moments so there is time for candids and improvisation which sometimes turns out better than posed portraits.
Flexibility
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When you book me, you get my afternoon. This means if I do not have a makeup day, we can watch the hourly weather reports and adjust the time of the session. Sometimes you may have only one day everyone is together. This means if it’s a rainout, we can turn the inside of the condo into a studio or find a big enough area so we can at least get something.
Quick Turnaround
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You will typically get the photo gallery the next day but I give myself two day turnaround. It is rare I take longer that but it may happen. I am a full time photographer so I do not have another job taking up my time.