Oceano Dunes
Oceano dunes is a magical location for photos! No matter the weather - it always feels like you’re on a different planet. It provides a gorgeous neutral background so you as a subject will definitely “pop”.
Pros: A location that’s super unique to the central coast, dunes can keep us shielded from the wind if needed, kiddos can generally run free, safely
Cons: can be a little exhausting since the walk to this location is a little long along with trekking the sandy hills, it can get super windy & misty here at times, no access to water
Gallery examples:
brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2022/9/7/oceano-dunes-maternity-portraits-shell-beach-family-portraits
Grover Beach
Grover Beach is my home base! I just just 1/2 a mile away from it, and spend a lot of time there. It’s one of the least crowded beaches here on the central coast! It has amazing, open ocean views. So, if you’re looking for photos with just the sand, water, and sky - this is your spot! THere also are some super cute small sand dunes (hills) covered in succulents that can add a variety to your photo session, if you’d like!
Pros: Great for classic beach photos that are very complimented by the ocean. The waves are very calm here so if you’re thinking about getting your feet in the water it’s very safe & easy. Also, the small dunes are a unique feature to this location.
cons: Honestly, I can’t think of any cons! except that sometimes it may be foggy here. But that comes with every beach location :)
Gallery examples:
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2022/9/8/the-welch-family-grover-beach-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2022/6/5/keara-amp-finn-wedding-portraits-grover-beach-ca
Pismo Beach, CA - Pismo Pier
The pismo pier is a really pretty spot for photos! The large underside of the pier provides a unique structure and framing for portraits, while the water washing up next to it makes great for photos of you walking/running in the water.
Pros: Great framing for photos, water & sand photos are great for that classic beach book
cons: usually a lot of people which means you’re more likely to have an audience, parking isn’t convenient
Gallery examples:
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2020/9/3/mia-2020
PISMO BEACH, CA - SEACREST OCEANFRONT HOTEL
This beach has a moon-like feel to it with it’s one of a kind bright white cliffside rocks! I have not seen these type of rocks anywhere else on the central coast. They make a great background for photos! The beach is very vast & open, making it easy for your pup to run around and for us to get action shots. Water washing up on the shore is usually gentle, so we can get some easy photos of you walking in the water. Fun staircase on the rocks, great for some sitting photos!
Pros: Easy access, not much people around, high tide won’t affect this location, super unique rock structures, gentle water to walk in
Cons: lots of stairs to climb up when leaving, not the best for landscape/shore photos, can be windy
Gallery examples:
brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2022/12/3/the-family
Pismo Beach, CA - Inn At The Cove
This beach is a cove, with lots of pretty rocks & thick sand with pebbles! What makes it most unique is that it has greenery which can give us more options for the backdrop. Usually is a very quiet beach, and the water washes up on the shore beautifully.
Pros: Not many people, dog friendly, pretty landscape/shore photos, option for greenery backdrop, big rocks for added texture, usually not windy
Cons: tons of stairs to climb that will definitely be a workout when leaving.
Gallery examples:
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2020/8/7/the-bianchini-family-shell-beach-ca
SHELL BEACH, CA - ELDWAYAN OCEAN PARK
This beach is super unique with its thick, red-tinted sand and beautiful rock structures! Probably the best location to get a variety of photos walking with the ocean washing up on the shore with the cliffs for added texture, and great for landscape photos - which are both somewhat of a rarity.
Pros: Small beach, very easy access, few people, very dog friendly, landscape photos looks awesome, usually not windy
Cons: If the tide is too high, we won’t be able to shoot here. Also, water is usually pretty rough so it’s not always the safest/splash friendly to walk in.
Gallery examples:
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/10/3/the-woodards-family-shell-beach-ca?rq=woodards
Shell Beach, CA - The Cliffs Resort
Shell beach is another one of my popular locations to shoot at! The beach is moderately quiet, and dog friendly. The background/landscape photos with the mountainscape can turn out great but also sometimes washed out. The sand is soft and the cliffs provide a good backdrop! Water is super friendly to walk in/along. Pretty tidepool area makes a unique spot for photos with the ocean. Also the cliffs resort hotel just above this beach has really pretty tropical plants to take photos with if you want to add that vibe into your shoot!
Pros: Easy access, classic central coast beach look, great combo of sand/water/cliff rocks, tropical plants nearby
Cons: Can be busy, parking can be a little annoying, sometimes are a lot of dogs which can be distracting, seaweed is sometimes an eyesore here
Gallery examples:
https://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2021/9/28/the-burgos-family-shell-beach-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2020/8/15/the-sullivan-family-shell-beach-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/24/the-olivares-family-shell-beach-ca?rq=shell%20beach%20family
South Avila Beach, CA
This is the beach that I shoot most at! There usually aren’t many people, and it’s pretty dog friendly. The rocky cliffs are beautiful and make great for a backdrop! The water washing up on the shore is often gentle and makes it easy to walk in. The background is often washed out though, so not the best for landscape ocean photos.
Pros: dog friendly before 10am, tide is gentle, usually the beach location with the best weather/least amount of wind
Cons: no dogs allowed after 10am, can be very busy on weekends, ocean background is often washed out, parking can sometimes be difficult and the walk to this location is the longest
Gallery examples:
brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2022/12/3/the-billingsley-family-avila-beach-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2020/8/25/the-costa-family-avila-beach-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/15/x80cyx8e3gi4iuz7p86t1cfwwbtiqb?rq=avila%20family
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/18/t7ir2h6jd4c0vblfj77tjl9pkz40ii?rq=avila%20family
Avila Beach Pier
The avila beach pier is the best pier to take photos with - in my opinion! It’s small and cozy, and depending on the time of year and time of day, it’s a lot less busy than Pismo’s pier. The smaller sized Rustic wooden poles make great for photos at any time of the day!
Pros: dog friendly before 10am, tide is gentle, usually the beach location with the best weather/least amount of wind, very short walk to get there
Cons: no dogs allowed after 10am, can be very busy on weekends, ocean background is often washed out, parking can sometimes be difficult
Gallery examples:
https://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2021/10/20/the-gilles-family-avila-beach-ca
Los Osos, CA - Montana De Oro - Spooner’s Cove
Montana De Oro is one of my absolute favorite locations to shoot at. Whether it’s sunny or overcast, the environment always looks super beautiful/dramatic! The sand and rock structures are truly unique to the central coast and although it can be cold, it usually is never windy.
Pros: Environment stands out, tons of variety of backdrops in one small area, dog friendly (with leash only), parking is easy, not many people
Cons: Can be cold & foggy at times, longer drive to get to, if it’s busy parking can be a hassle
Gallery examples:
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2020/8/11/the-mendez-family-montana-de-oro-state-park-los-osos-ca
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/25/sfcs3hsth0vcejsntbxofdj7j6rbeq?rq=avila%20family
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/25/heather-amp-forrest-maternity-portraits-montana-de-oro-los-osos-ca?rq=heather%20forrest
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/7/26/1ebt55mqere954klhmiytxseuuq6sd?rq=cal%20poly
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2018/1/19/heidi-alex-montana-de-oro-engagement-photos-los-osos-ca?rq=heidi
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/8/17/marisa-ashley?rq=marisa
http://brandiroyerphotography.com/blog/2019/10/10/crawley-family-montana-de-oro-los-osos-san-luis-obispo-ca?rq=crawley%20montana
Morro Bay Dunes
This is a stunning location with an amazing view of the rock in the background! The sand dunes are lovely to take portraits in with the view of the ocean in the distance. The ground is covered in succulents, which add a pop of greenery to beach photos unlike any other location!
Pros: Best view of Morro Rock, easy to access, unique landscape, usually not crowded at all
Cons: Can be very windy at times, might be difficult to walk in dunes than a regular beach
Gallery examples: