Do you have a hard time keeping track of photos? If you’re anything like me, you’ve your family photo files are exploding- just waiting to be edited, printed, and organized. Don’t lose track of those precious memories this summer. Today I’ll show you my favorite way to keep track of summer beach photos using sand shots!
Ever since my daughter’s first beach experience in Italy, we’ve used this reliable photography method to make sure we never forget those special family beach trips. Though we live in Costa Rica, we don’t hit to beach too often so you’d better believe it’s an unforgettable adventure!
You’ve got to GOT TO take sand shots! They’re a great way to track your family’s growth and record priceless memories for free.
Here goes!
While you’ve got your camera out shooting candid beach memories, like baby eating handfuls of sand and little girls racing daddies to the surf, take a moment to carve out the specifics of your family vacation in the sand. Grab a stick or toy shovel and write down whatever you’d like to record. 
I usually choose the date and location and fill in the photo with footprints of the whole family, one of my most cherished family photo ideas. I love watching how those pudgy baby toes grow into kid toes and eventually….no, I don’t even want to think about that yet.
When pressing toes into the sand doesn’t show up well enough, I opt to outline our feet with a stick…
Or place our beachy flip flops right into the shot.
Sand-shooting is the best way to organize photos so you’ll never forget when each family beach vacation took place!
Once you’ve taken your sand photo, don’t forget to take the time to share it with all your friends and family. If it needs a little touching up, try one of these free photo enhancing sites and share away! Of course, the best way to improve your photography is to learn how to use your camera. Read your camera manual a few times through and then pick up a copy of Say No to Auto, it’s a great read that will make your family photos look better than ever this summer!
Share your story! Let me know your favorite way to capture family photos this summer. Do you have any photo traditions?
I love this idea. Thanks
Happy to share what works for us! After all, it’s a lot better than those awkward bathing suit photos anyway 😉
You know what? I’ve lived within walking distance of the ocean for about 9/10s of my life – and NEVER thought of making a picture like this! How cute! Now I can’t wait to get back to the beach and give it a try! Thanks so much for sharing such a cool idea 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! The first time we did this I just wanted to remember when and where we were since the beaches of Costa Rica look so similar on each coast. It’s really come in handy, especially when I’m filing through hundreds of pictures. Thank you so much for stopping by. How cool that you live near the beach!
We have two sand photo shots with just our initials from 2 different vacations. I wish we had done the date and our footprints, too! Great idea!
You know, Charlee Anne, I saw another version of this just today on a photography blog. Instead of just the prints and the local/date, shoot the picture from up higher and even include the feet of your family in it standing next to their prints. So cute! Thank you so much for stopping by. Hope you make tons of beautiful memories this summer.