10th Street Newport Beach Family Photographer – Beach Portrait Session

There is something that happens the moment a family steps onto the sand at 10th Street Beach in Newport Beach.

The shoulders drop. The kids take off running. And the parents, who showed up hoping everyone would just cooperate for a few good photos, start to breathe again.

That is the beauty of a beach portrait session in Newport Beach. It gives families space to relax, move, laugh, and actually enjoy being together.

If you have been searching for a Newport Beach family photographer and wondering where to take family photos near the water, the 10th Street area is one of those locations worth knowing about. It feels coastal, simple, relaxed, and full of that classic Newport Beach charm families love.

At Gilmore Studios, we believe family portraits should feel polished but still genuine. A beach session should not feel like everyone has to stand still and smile on command. It should feel like your family, right now, in this season of life.

Why Is 10th Street One of Newport Beach’s Best-Kept Secrets for Family Photos?

Have you been looking for a Newport Beach family photo location that feels beautiful without feeling overly crowded or complicated?

That is one of the reasons families love the 10th Street area for beach portraits. It offers the things people want from a coastal family session, soft sand, ocean views, beautiful light, and room for kids to be kids.

Many families think of Newport Beach and immediately picture the busiest parts of the boardwalk or pier. But the 10th Street area can feel a little more relaxed, which is a huge gift when you are trying to photograph young children, extended family, or parents who do not want the session to feel rushed.

The setting gives us natural movement, coastal texture, and a clean beach backdrop that works beautifully for family portraits.

A Beach Location That Feels Easy for Real Families

What if your family photo session could feel less like a task and more like an evening together?

That is always the goal.

The beach naturally helps families relax because there is something to do. Kids can walk, run, play in the sand, look at the water, hold hands, and snuggle close when the wind picks up. Parents do not have to spend the whole session begging everyone to smile because real moments start happening on their own.

This is especially helpful if you are worried about little kids cooperating.

At 10th Street Beach, the session can include:

1. Walking portraits along the shoreline.
2. Candid images of kids playing in the sand.
3. Sweet parent and child moments near the water.
4. Classic family portraits with the ocean behind you.
5. Soft sunset images as the light changes.
6. Relaxed barefoot photos that feel natural and timeless.

The best family portraits usually happen when everyone stops trying so hard. That is where the real connection shows up.

What Makes 10th Street Different From Other Newport Beach Family Photo Locations?

Newport Beach has so many beautiful places for family photos, so why choose the 10th Street area?

It has a simple coastal feel that keeps the focus on your family. Instead of competing with a busy background, the sand, water, and sky create a clean setting that photographs beautifully.

If you love the idea of a beach session but do not want the photos to feel overly staged, this location is a wonderful option.

It gives your family room to breathe.

It gives your kids space to move.

It gives your gallery a timeless Newport Beach look.

If you want to see more coastal family photo inspiration from Gilmore Studios, you may also love this Newport Pier Family Photography Photographer session and this Newport Beach Family Photographer at the Pier blog.

The Real Goal of a Beach Family Session

Here is what I tell every family before we begin.

The goal is not perfection.

I know that might sound surprising coming from a photographer, but the images families love most are usually not the stiff, perfectly posed ones. They are the images where your child is leaning into you, your family is laughing at something unexpected, or everyone is walking together with sandy feet and windblown hair.

Those are the images that feel like your actual life.

One evening at 10th Street, we began with classic family portraits while the ocean was glowing behind the family. As the light softened into twilight, the kids loosened up completely. They started laughing, playing in the sand, and making silly faces as the sky shifted into soft blues and pinks.

Those candid, unscripted images ended up being the family’s favorites because they showed exactly who they were in that season.

That is what a Newport Beach family photography session should do. It should not just show what your family looked like. It should help you remember what this season felt like.

Best Time of Day for Family Photos at 10th Street Newport Beach

When should you schedule a beach portrait session in Newport Beach?

For most families, the best time is close to sunset. Golden hour gives the beach that warm, flattering glow, while the light after sunset can create softer colors and a calmer feeling.

I always recommend planning your session so we can photograph through the changing light instead of rushing to finish too early.

Here is why timing matters so much:

1. Golden hour creates warm, flattering skin tones.
2. Sunset gives the ocean and sky more color.
3. Dusk can bring soft blue, pink, and lavender tones.
4. The beach often feels calmer later in the evening.
5. Your gallery has more variety when we photograph through multiple stages of light.

Many of the most emotional family portraits happen in those last few minutes when everyone has relaxed and the light has softened. how your child fit in your arms, how they laughed at the waves, and how your family felt in this exact season.

What Should Families Wear for 10th Street Beach Photos?

Are you wondering what to wear for Newport Beach family photos?

For a 10th Street beach session, think coastal, comfortable, and coordinated. The beach already gives us a beautiful setting, so your outfits should support the location instead of competing with it.

Colors that photograph beautifully at Newport Beach include:

1. Cream.
2. White.
3. Tan.
4. Soft blue.
5. Denim.
6. Sage green.
7. Dusty rose.
8. Navy.
9. Warm rust.
10. Muted earth tones.

Coordinating is better than matching. Instead of putting everyone in the exact same outfit, choose a color palette that feels connected. For example, mom might wear a cream dress, dad might wear tan pants and a blue shirt, one child might wear denim, and another might wear a soft patterned outfit that ties the colors together.

Try to avoid neon colors, large logos, and outfits that feel too stiff. Beach portraits work best when clothing can move naturally and everyone feels comfortable.

Should We Go Barefoot for Beach Family Photos?

Yes, most of the time, barefoot is best.

Bare feet immediately make a beach session feel more relaxed. Kids can run, parents can walk along the water, and the whole gallery feels more natural. Shoes can sometimes look too formal on the sand, especially for casual family portraits.

For 10th Street beach photos, I usually recommend:

1. Wearing easy shoes for walking to the session spot.
2. Taking shoes off once we begin photographing on the sand.
3. Rolling up pants if your family wants photos near the water.
4. Bringing a small towel for sandy feet after the session.
5. Choosing outfits that still look good without shoes.

Little details like sandy toes and rolled-up cuffs often make the images feel more honest and personal.

How to Prepare Kids for a Newport Beach Family Session

Worried your kids will not cooperate for family photos?

That is normal. It is also why choosing the right location and the right photographer matters.

Kids usually do better when they are allowed to move. A beach session gives them space to explore, which can make the experience feel easier for everyone.

Before your session, I recommend:

1. Feeding everyone before you arrive.
2. Giving yourself extra time for parking and walking.
3. Keeping expectations simple and positive.
4. Letting kids know they will get to play and walk on the beach.
5. Bringing a small snack or water for after the session.
6. Avoiding too many reminders to smile.
7. Trusting that real expressions often happen between the posed moments.

The more relaxed the parents are, the more relaxed the kids usually become.

Can 10th Street Work for Extended Family Photos?

Yes, 10th Street can be a beautiful location for extended family portraits, especially if your family wants a beach setting that feels classic and meaningful.

Extended family sessions need enough open space for groupings, but they also need a relaxed flow so the session does not feel overwhelming. The beach gives us room for large group photos, grandparent photos, individual family units, cousins, siblings, and candid moments.

For extended family photos, we usually plan a simple structure:

1. Full group portrait first.
2. Grandparents with grandchildren.
3. Each individual family.
4. Sibling combinations.
5. Couples portraits.
6. Candid walking or playful images.
7. Final sunset images if the light allows.

This helps us get the important portraits while still leaving room for natural connection.

Make It a Full Newport Beach Evening

A 10th Street beach session can easily become part of a full family evening.

Since you are already dressed and together, it can be fun to grab dinner nearby after your portraits. This is also a great way to make the session feel like an experience instead of just another thing on the calendar.

A few nearby Newport Beach restaurant ideas include Lighthouse Cafe, Mama D’s Italian Kitchen, Bear Flag Fish Co., and The Cannery.

If you have young kids, dinner afterward can also be a helpful reward. Everyone gets through photos, then you head out for food together while the evening still feels special.

Why Choose Gilmore Studios for Newport Beach Family Photography?

Choosing a Newport Beach family photographer is about more than finding someone who knows a pretty beach.

You want someone who understands light, timing, movement, posing, and how to guide real families. You want someone who can help your kids feel comfortable, help parents relax, and create images that feel natural without leaving everything to chance.

At Gilmore Studios, we have been photographing families, children, newborns, weddings, and milestones since 2002. Our sessions are guided, calm, and designed around connection.

We serve families in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Orange County, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and the East Valley.

If you are a photographer hoping to build stronger family sessions and a more sustainable photography business, Jennifer also teaches through Photographer’s Roadmap.

Ready to Book Your 10th Street Newport Beach Family Session?

If 10th Street Beach is calling your name, I would love to help you plan a family portrait session there.

I will guide you through timing, outfits, posing, and the natural flow of the session so you do not have to figure it all out on your own. You can simply show up, enjoy your family, and trust that the real moments will unfold.

You can learn more about Gilmore Studios Family Photography or contact Gilmore Studios to start planning your Newport Beach family photo session.

Because the best time to be in the photo is always now.

Similar Gilmore Studios Sessions You May Love

If you are interested in a Newport Beach family photo session, you may also enjoy these similar Gilmore Studios blog posts:

1. Newport Pier Family Photography Photographer
2. Newport Beach Family Photographer at the Pier
3. Newport Pier Family Photographer Foggy Beach Session
4. Newport Beach Family Photographer Gilmore Studios
5. Little Corona Beach Minis for Family Photos

Each location has its own feeling, but the goal is always the same. Natural, timeless family portraits that feel like you.