Family Photos in Nantucket | 5 Tips a Stress-Free Experience

Anyone else counting down the months, weeks, days and hours until you are heading to Nantucket to soak up the island’s charm and share your favorite beaches and eateries with your family?! 

I am certainly not the first person to fall in love with Nantucket and call it my “happy place”. Like many moms eager to create lifelong memories for her kids, I can’t wait to spend another summer exploring beach after beach and taste-testing all of the island’s best ice cream. Whether you will be visiting Nantucket for the first time, or have been coming since childhood, be sure to set some time for a family photo session. These pictures will become cherished keepsakes, for your entire family, for years to come!

Here are my 5 top tips for preparing for family photos in Nantucket:

Tip #1 – Plan for photos early in your stay on Nantucket

If schedule allows, it is best to plan for your family photo session early on in your stay. 

Despite our best efforts, it’s almost inevitable that someone will end up with a sunburn or awkward tan lines after a few days on the beach. To avoid capturing those unwanted souvenirs in your photos, schedule your session before you’ve spent too much time in the sun!

Additionally, planning early allows for flexibility in case of bad – Nantucket isn’t called the Gray lady for nothing! 

Tip #2 – Leave extra time to get your family to your location

Your family photo session will likely take place during the coveted “Golden Hour” – the hour or so leading up to sunset. To make the most of this magical light, plan ahead and allow extra travel time. Navigating Nantucket’s tight streets and busy downtown can be challenging, and you’ll want to avoid the stress of rushing to your session. 

Fun F-ACK-t: There are no stop lights on Nantucket!

Tip #3 – Don’t try to match your outfits

What to wear! Think relaxed, island chic! When planning outfits, the goal is for coordinated not matchy-matchy looks. Mom, consider a flowy dress or skirt – this looks effortlessly beautiful blowing in the beach breeze!

Choose colors that complement each other without matching, or distracting from the beautiful landscape. Soft, neutral tones, even pastels look gorgeous against the Nantucket backdrop!

Possibly the best thing about a beach session is that you don’t need to worry about finding shoes that look nice! So ditch the flip flops and heels – going barefoot adds to the natural, relaxed feel of the session!

Tip #4 – Prevent hangry kids (and husbands)

Make sure kids (even the biggest ones) have had plenty of snacks before the session. Well-fed family members are happier, and more cooperative, during the photo shoot.

Speaking of snacks – plan on treating everyone to ice cream at one of Nantucket’s delicious spots – a fun way to end the evening and I’m not above a bribe! Here are some great ideas of where to go, no matter where your photos are taken!

Tip #5 – Consider a location other than the beach

I love the beach! Like really love the beach! But, for my own family photos, I choose from other equally beautiful spots on Nantucket that offer the same magical charm.

If you are looking for some other ideas that are a little less sandy, consider one of these:

• Your house, hotel or rental – blooming hydrangea are quintessential Nantucket! If your house or rental has beautiful flowers, manicured lawns, really gorgeous landscaping in general, let’s capture the beauty of the island, and your family, without having to transport your crew – I’ll come to you!
• Cobblestone streets around town – Nantucket is synonymous with cobblestone streets and for good reason – they cover the downtown streets. If you have ever tried wearing heels on a night out in Nantucket – that happened once, and one time only! The foliage and flowers, along with your family’s outfits, pop in beautiful contrast against the dark gray roads and make for beautiful images that can only be from Nantucket.
• Lily Pond Park – a beautiful quiet and serene park not far from downtown. A perfect alternative to the more populated beaches or downtown area that provides beautiful natural landscapes.
• Sankaty Head Lighthouse – one of the three lighthouses found on Nantucket, and possibly the most recognizable. There is a parking lot right next to the path up to the lighthouse making this an easily accessible location. With sweeping views in all directions and the iconic lighthouse, this location is a great option for family sessions with kids of all ages.

Follow  these tips, you and your crew will be well-prepared for a successful and fun family photo session on Nantucket. I can’t wait to capture your family’s special moments on this enchanting island!

Ready to book your Nantucket family photo session? Contact me today to secure your spot and start planning your unforgettable photo experience!