Shaw’s Cove is a free family portrait spot on the beach

A successful photographer must know the local areas well in order to advise their clients on a location that meets their objectives. Shaw’s Cove is a beautiful location for family portraits on the beach in Laguna Beach. The best part is that unlike other local beaches, like nearby Crystal Cove, shooting at Shaw’s Cove is free. Local photographers would do well to offer a session at this free beach portrait venue for several reasons:

1. It is easy to access. To get to the Cove, simply take Pacific Coast Highway between Newport and Laguna Beach. Turn south on Wave Street. Wave drop until it becomes Cliff Drive. Find a parking space on Cliff Drive.
2. parking is free. Many Newport and Laguna Beach photo spots charge for parking (there are no parking meters as common at other Orange County beaches). Just make sure your customers don’t park near fire hydrants or private driveways. If not, they are likely to get a ticket.
3. Access to the beach from the street is convenient.. Many of the smaller OC beaches require walking down a dirt or rocky path. To reach Shaw’s Cove, a client simply needs to walk down a set of stairs and a narrow paved path. The path is abundant with foliage and therefore a photographer can get great shots against green backgrounds even before she and her clients reach the beach.
4. On the beach there is a beautiful retaining wall with vegetation in the background. Not all of your shots need to be in the sand. This area offers a beautiful garden aspect.
5. There is a Gazebo at the top of one of the cliffs which provides a vintage look.. This little white structure far outshines the stucco houses seen in the background of other Orange County beaches.
6. There’s a abundance of marine life for young children (and some not-so-young adults to explore). Part of a successful family photo shoot is making sure the family enjoys the process. Young children enjoy looking for seashells, sand dollars, and other marine life. Many people come to Shaw’s Cove from out of state. They are there, to a large extent, not only to have their portraits taken, but also to enjoy the beach along which they have traveled a significant distance (many of them).

There are several great photo spots in Laguna Beach. Shaw’s Cove is an option that a photographer should take into account when advising their clients on the preparation of a photo shoot.