Jon Hauge-Family beach photographer serving Dauphin Island. Dauphin Island is a destination for families that want the beach experience and get away from the hustle and bustle of bigger beach destinations. Because of this the backgrounds will be more natural without tall condos in the background. We can have the session where you are staying or go to several locations on the island. The east and west ends of Dauphin Island have beaches suitable for sessions, and there is an old fishing pier in the middle of the island that can give a unique look to your session.

I have several years of experience doing family beach photography so I am prepared for just about any condition. I would like to order up bright beautiful days but that isn’t the reality. The beach determines the conditions. Because I use studio lights I am not as dependent on natural light. This means we can shoot well past sunset when the summer temperatures are not as hot and the sun isn't blinding to the eye. My technique preserves the detail and beauty of the Gulf Coast beaches. For small families to large family reunions I can help you preserve your family beach vacation memories. Sometimes you may have only one day the whole family is together so there isn't a makeup day.

Start time for the sessions will be about an hour before sunset. During the summer this is around 7 pm. I get asked if sessions can start earlier. I no longer schedule sessions any earlier than sunset unless the weather prevents a sunset shoot that day. Starting any earlier presents problems that I cannot fix in post editing. This will be harsh shadows on the beach, squinty eyes, windy conditions, sweaty foreheads, not to mention really hot humid conditions. About an hour to sunset the sun is lower on the horizon and the wind usually gets calmer. We are at the mercy of the beach. The best and most dramatic looking conditions start about 15 minutes to sunset. If you go with the hour long family session you will get the brighter look at the beginning and then the more dramatic looks at sunset. The only time I will make exceptions are for large multi-family reunions and if it does look like it will be overcast the evening of the session. Mini-sessions are not available for Dauphin Island.

In case of bad weather I usually have a day during the week we can reschedule. However, sometimes there is not an option to reschedule so the shoot has to happen that day if possible. This is when we look at the hourly reports that day and I will make exceptions to shoot earlier. If the priority is getting pictures because this may be the only time the family will together, we can make it happen. Most condos have a lobby that we could use and beach houses will have cover. It is rare we will have a day that it rains the whole day. In the rare event a weather event cancels the session the deposit will be refunded.

With my years of experience photographing young children I have found it is best to not bribe children with treats or promises. When you do that, once I take a few pictures they think the session is over. I typically start the session focused on the toddlers and small children. Even during the mini-sessions I take breaks so the children can play at the beach and I can get some candid family interaction photos. Even the best behaved children can have a meltdown during the session. Sometimes the candid portraits turn out to be the best ones from the session.