


Huntington Beach Photographer
Why Shoot Portrait Photography in Huntington Beach, California?
The weather is Huntington Beach, California is perfect for photography, no matter the variety. While imperfect weather (like rain or even snow) can lend a quality to portraits, nothing beats the simple and fair weather of Huntington Beach. You can shoot all day without worrying about a drop of rain. And more than likely, plan a shoot well ahead knowing perfectly well that it’ll be a dry and sunny day.
Most of all, Huntington Beach is well known for its surfing—with that comes beautifully photogenic beaches and piers that serve as the perfect backdrop or location for a shoot. Sunsets fade to the pastel colors of cotton candy as the evening cools down. And even noon, with its intense sun, can do magical things to a person’s highlights and shadows. Huntington Beach in Orange County is probably my favorite place for outside portrait shoots!
What You Can Wear for Portraits in Huntington Beach, California?
Wear whatever you want—I’m not one to judge your wardrobe and clothing is very much contingent on your look and what you are trying to achieve. With that said, Huntington Beach, California is very much a surf town. If you want a look that will fit in, choose something fashionable but relaxing. Huntington Beach locals are well with the term “athleisure”. Whether or not you want to embody that look is up to you.
I’ll help you choose a wardrobe or give you some advice if you need it. Sometimes you want to fit in and sometimes you don’t. We’ll discuss your wardrobe and come up with a plan that makes you happy. At the end of the day, you want to be comfortable in your own skin.
Best Spots Near Huntingon Beach, California for Portrait Photography
If you’re a surfer, swimmer, or beach lounger then you can find a beautiful spot for your Hunting Beach portrait shoot while blindfolded. But there’s plenty else to find in and around the city.
Huntington Beach Pier
You can’t shoot photography in Huntington Beach, California without visiting the pier at least once. It rises from the ocean like a centipede, where it floats almost ephemerally against the flat horizon. On the beach, the water glazes the sand like glass, reflecting the sky in its mirror-like finish.
Pacific City Mural
Murals are always a great backdrop for streetwear photos or clients that are looking for something artistic and/or colorful. Considered by many as one of the best murals in town, the “Pacific City” mural shows a scene of crashing blue waves and beach flora.
The “Flip-Flop Wall”
I don’t normally consider businesses as “locations” for photoshoots, but you can’t beat the creativity and color of the “flip-flop wall” found at the Paséa Hotel & Spa. The artistic creation looks like it was painted by Van Gogh—colorful flip-flops come together to make a colorful abstract rendering of the water at sunset. It’s a great place for a fun shoot that brings with it a bit of elegance as well.
Palm Avenue
Much like Abbey Road, sometimes a street becomes something more than a street thanks to its cultural significance. Palm Avenue is no exception—lined with spindly, looming palm trees, the street comes right out of a Hollywood movie. At sunset, the palm trees become silhouetted against an orange-and-blue sky—the pallet is almost magical and works well with portraiture.
Why Choose Me as Your Huntington Beach Photographer
I am a longtime Huntington Beach resident and no stranger to Huntington Beach and what it has to offer. I understand the nuance of the HB sunset—the purples, pinks, oranges, and blues that’ll peak out for those previous 20 minutes before evening falls. Capturing a portrait in so little time takes experience and intuitive, which I’ve cultivated over the years.
Because I’m from the area, I’ve also developed an understanding of street and beach culture. I tell my clients to come as they are—we’ll figure out a look on-the-spot and search for those spontaneous moments or we can plan ahead and be deliberate and strategic. My photography fits both methodologies and I’m not afraid to mix the two.
Facts About Huntington Beach, California
Here are just a few things I find interesting about Huntington Beach as a photographer.
Who let the dogs out?
Huntington Beach, California is the only beach in Orange County that allows our canine pals to roam the shores.
What’s in a name?
Huntington Beach was named after a 20th-century railroad tycoon by the name of Henry E. Huntington. Huntington was integral to developing much of what we know as Los Angeles today.
“Tin Can Beach”
The popular beach known today as “Bolsa Chica” was once colloquially named “Tin Cap Beach” because it was a popular spot for hobos and free spirits, who used the beach as their own personal boozy hangout.