Top 10 Tips for a Fantastic Jersey Shore Summer

🌊 Top 10 Tips for a Fantastic Jersey Shore Summer (with Photos You'll Treasure Forever)

From Brigantine to Cape May, these Jersey Shore beach sessions capture the joy, connection, and laughter of summer on the sand.

If you're heading down the shore this summer, welcome to one of the most magical places on the East Coast! From Brigantine and Atlantic City all the way south to Cape May, the Jersey Shore is packed with summer adventures—and some seriously gorgeous backdrops for photos. Whether you're a local or planning your first beach week, this guide is here to help you make the most of your summer... with some unforgettable portraits to prove it.

Let’s dive in!

A magical moment between mother and daughter under the Atlantic City sky—captured right in front of the iconic Steel Pier Ferris wheel.

1. Catch a Sunrise (and Book a Sunrise Photo Shoot!)

There’s nothing quite like a quiet Jersey Shore sunrise. Soft pastels. Calm surf. Just you and the ocean. My favorite time for dreamy portraits—especially for families and maternity—before the beaches get crowded.

📍 Available in Brigantine, Ventnor, Margate, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Cape May!

Soft skies, salty air, and a little girl dreaming big at sunrise—Jersey Shore mornings were made for moments like this.

2. Plan a Night on the Boardwalk

Whether you're riding the tram car in Wildwood, eating fries in Ocean City, or checking out the casinos and arcades in Atlantic City, boardwalk nights are pure summer fun. They're also perfect for spontaneous, joy-filled family photo sessions full of color and energy.

📸 Add a mini session before dinner for fun, candid portraits right on the boards.

Because the best family portraits don’t always involve posing—just pure laughter and love on the beach in Atlantic City.

3. Explore a Local Festival or Craft Market

Towns like Stone Harbor, Sea Isle, and Cape May host everything from art shows to seafood festivals. They’re the perfect place for impromptu adventures (and adorable photo ops with your kiddos holding lemonade and oversized beach hats).

Bold, beautiful, and full of movement—this Jersey Shore portrait is all about strength and magic in the waves.

4. Plan a Flower Field Portrait Day

Yes, we’ve got beaches—but don’t sleep on the flower fields! South Jersey boasts sunflower fields, peach orchards, and more. These magical spots make for the perfect summer portrait sessions, especially for little girls twirling in couture dresses.

🌼 Ask about wardrobe styling and seasonal flower locations near you!

From sunflowers to spring blossoms, these Southern New Jersey flower sessions are pure magic—perfect for dreamy portraits in nature’s most beautiful spots.

5. Try a Magical Mermaid Experience

Calling all ocean princesses! Our Magical Mermaid Portrait Experience is a client favorite—complete with real tails, high-end dresses, and either a forest or beach location. We even offer unicorn sessions with Drifter, the unicorn from a Lionsgate movie.

📍 These sessions are available in beach and private orchard locations near Cape May, Brigantine, and Ocean City.

Our Summer Mermaid Experience brings fairytales to life—complete with custom costumes, beachside magic, and memories that sparkle forever.

6. Whale Watching in Cape May

Cape May is one of the best spots for dolphin and whale watching on the East Coast. Turn your family boat day into a full experience—with optional photos before or after your tour when everyone's still buzzing from seeing those flippers splash.

🐳 Pro tip: Bring a change of clothes if you're booking a shoot after!

Big smiles, sandy toes, and sweet snuggles—this Jersey Shore family portrait is what summer memories are made of.

7. Beach Bonfires & S’mores Nights

Some South Jersey towns allow evening bonfires on the beach (with permits). Whether it’s Strathmere, Sea Isle, or a private beach rental in Avalon, these nights are about connection—and we can recreate that same cozy magic with a golden hour session beforehand.

Soft evening light and a little glow—this portrait captures the magic of Jersey Shore evenings and quiet moments by the sea.

8. Dine Alfresco on the Water

From the bayfront in Somers Point to dockside crab shacks in Wildwood Crest, there are so many family-friendly (and photo-worthy!) spots to dine outdoors. Dress up, enjoy dinner, and sneak in a few beautiful portraits right before you order.

📸 We offer short pre-dinner sessions for couples, maternity, or families.

Spinning into summer magic—this sunset twirl on the Jersey Shore is pure joy captured in motion.

9. Visit the Lighthouses

Explore the iconic lighthouses of Cape May, Absecon (Atlantic City), and Hereford Inlet. Perfect for adventurous families or couples looking for something a little different. They’re also stunning backdrops for more editorial-style portraits.

Wind in her hair, magic in the air—this portrait celebrates the wild, beautiful spirit of the Jersey Shore.

10. Slow Down and Make Space for Spontaneous Joy

Ice cream meltdowns, sandcastle fails, giggle fits, and impromptu twirls... those are the real moments that make a summer magical. You don’t have to stage perfection to get beautiful photos—you just need a photographer who knows how to catch those moments while keeping things fun, stress-free, and relaxed.

Twirling through summer days in Wildwood—where every spin feels like pure joy by the shore.

Ready to Make Summer Memories You'll Never Forget?

Whether you're in Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Sea Isle, Wildwood, or Cape May, I’d love to help you turn your family vacation, beach week, or day trip into a gallery of images that feel like summer. 🌞

From unicorn sessions to flower fields, boardwalk twirls to beach bonfire snuggles—this summer is full of stories waiting to be told. Let’s tell yours.

Pure happiness in motion—this twirling moment on the Atlantic City beach captures the carefree spirit of summer.

Dee
Shooting Star Photography
Serving Philadelphia, Mainline, Northern Delaware, Brigantine, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Sea Isle, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Wildwood, Cape May, and all of Southern New Jersey.

Check out some more Jersey Shore Beach Photo Shoot Magic Below!