It is that time of year for my family’s annual photo at the beach. We based what we would wear on what most of us had in our closets–white shirts and blue jeans.

A couple of problems with the family facing the lighting would have been 90º to their right—. First, the background was busy with all the people on the beach, and second, the wind would be at their backs and blowing everyone’s hair to the front.

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 100, ƒ/8, 1/640

Here is the setup and my daughter’s videotaping the event for her YouTube channel.

Nikon D5, Sigma 35mm ƒ/1.4 DG Art, ISO 100, ƒ/16, 1/200

Here without the strobes firing, you can see the strong shadows.

We are adding the strobes to clean up the photo with the light on our faces.

Nikon D5, Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art Lens, ISO 100, ƒ/16, 1/200–2 Alienbee B1600s

Here I am with my two sisters and parents.

My recommendation is to be sure and use strobes when doing portraits on the beach. The strobes help clean up those harsh shadows.