Is this a Southie Beach or South Beach, Miami?

If I didn’t know any better, I would think this adorable family is strolling the shores of South Florida. Au contraire! This Southie Beach is right down the street from their townhome in South Boston and I am uber jealous that this is literally their “backyard”.

This Mama and I go way back to my pre-kid days where we used to work together at Longwood Events. I left the company in 2014 after I gave birth to my first son and shortly after began my family photography business. Fast forward 6 years and Amanda has a one year old and is killing it at event sales AND motherhood.

I love a good front stoop picture.

We began their family session in their Southie neighborhood in front of their adorable townhome. A few family snuggles on the front steps never hurt anyone. I also love how personal a front stoop picture is. Your front stoop is unique to your family and there’s something so classic about that photograph.

On to South ….errr Southie Beach!

After some giggles and tickles on the front steps, we strolled down their adorable South Boston street and headed towards their local park. If you’re ever worried about a one year old’s ability to handle themselves at bedtime for a family photo session- incorporate a beach! Seagulls, sand, and water. What more could a child want?

Part of being a lifestyle photographer is figuring out how to make the average place look spectacular.

In my opinion, no one would ever know that this was a tiny neighborhood beach in Southie and not a gorgeous beach in a touristy location. How does one do that? My three major tips are:

• Shoot when the light is beautiful (golden hour)
• Work those angles to your advantage
• Shoot wide open (lower f-stop) so the background becomes beautifully blurred
• Bonus Points: secure an adorable subject!

I could continue posting pictures of this beautiful family all day but I’ll leave you with the attack of the seagulls!

XO-Lyndsay