6 Tips for Gorgeous Girly Beach Senior Portraits | Tampa Senior Portrait Photographer
- Nina Bashaw
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
6 Tips for Stunning Girly Senior Portraits at the Beach
by Nina Bashaw | Tampa Senior Portrait Photographer
As a Tampa senior portrait photographer, I absolutely love beach sessions. The soft golden light, the sound of the waves, and the endless natural backdrops make for portraits that feel both elegant and relaxed. Over the years, I’ve learned a few key tips that help my clients look and feel their best during their beach senior photos. If you’re planning your own senior portrait session, here are my top six pieces of advice to make the most out of your experience.
1. Plan for Golden Hour
Lighting is everything in photography, especially at the beach where the sun reflects off the water and sand. The best time for your Tampa senior portraits is during golden hour, about an hour before sunset. The light is soft, flattering, and creates that dreamy glow that makes your skin look incredible.
2. Choose Outfits that Complement the Location
As a senior portrait photographer in Tampa, I always suggest wearing outfits that flow beautifully with the coastal setting. Think soft fabrics, earthy tones, or light colors that move gently in the breeze. A flowing dress, linen shirt, or casual denim outfit all photograph beautifully against the ocean backdrop. If you’re doing multiple outfits, bring one casual look and one slightly more dressy to give your senior portrait gallery a lot of variety.
3. Be Mindful of Hair and Wind
The beach can be breezy, and while that movement looks amazing in photos, it helps to prepare. Loose curls or half-up hairstyles tend to photograph best in the wind. Bring a brush and some extra hairpins just in case. You can also embrace the wind—it often adds a carefree, natural touch to your senior portraits.
4. Go for Soft Glam Makeup
A little more makeup than your everyday look will help your features stand out in senior portrait photos. Opt for soft glam rather than heavy makeup, and skip any products with SPF since it can cause flashback and make your face look lighter than the rest of your body. Bring your lip color with you for quick touch-ups between shots.
5. Bring the Essentials
As someone who photographs senior portraits around Tampa’s beaches often, I can tell you that preparation makes a big difference. Bring a towel to sit on, a bottle of water, and flip-flops for walking between locations. You might also want to bring a small mirror and compact powder to touch up before close-up shots.
6. Have Fun and Be Yourself
This is your moment to celebrate such an exciting time in your life. Don’t worry about posing perfectly, I’ll guide you through everything so your photos feel natural and authentic. Laugh, run, twirl, and just enjoy being yourself. Those candid moments always end up being everyone’s favorites.
My Goal As Your Senior Portrait Photographer
As a Tampa senior portrait photographer, it’s my goal to create images that reflect your personality and tell your story beautifully. Whether you choose Fort De Soto Beach, Clearwater, or one of Tampa Bay’s hidden gems, your beach senior portraits will be timeless, full of light, and uniquely you.
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Nina Bashaw is a Tampa senior portrait photographer serving Sarasota, St. Pete, and the greater Tampa Bay area. She specializes in timeless, light-filled portraits for high school and college seniors who want their senior photos to feel joyful, effortless, and uniquely them.
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