The best Outer Banks Beach for your OBX Family Beach Portraits
Planning your OBX family photos and wondering which beach is best? The Outer Banks is full of stunning locations, but not every beach photographs the same. Below, I’m breaking down my favorite Outer Banks beach for family photos and why it’s worth the visit!
The Preferred OBX Beach for Family Portraits
Have you been dreaming of your family photos taken at your favorite vacation spot? It’s time to make it happen. The Outer Banks is known for its natural beauty, making it the perfect setting for family beach portraits during your OBX vacation. With miles of coastline to choose from, selecting the right beach for your family photos can feel overwhelming.
“When your family feels comfortable, the images naturally flow.”
As an Outer Banks family photographer, I’ve photographed sessions all along the coast, and today I’m sharing my favorite OBX beach location for relaxed, beautiful family photos — plus a few tips for making your session the best experience possible.
Why location matters
Why I Choose Coquina Beach for my OBX Family Beach Portraits
Choosing the right beach sets the tone for your entire OBX family photo session. Coquina Beach allows space to breathe, move, and connect – creating an experience that feels relaxed, unrushed, and truly enjoyable. And when your family feels comfortable, the images naturally follow.
Part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Coquina Beach offers a quiet beach access with wide-open space, rolling dunes, and a landscape that perfectly captures what most people imagine when they think of a quintessential Outer Banks beach.
As a lifelong OBX local, I have a deep appreciation for our coastline. While every town has its own unique stretch of sand, there’s one beach that will always be my preferred location for photography — and that’s Coquina.
why we love it
Not all OBX Beaches Photograph the same.
It’s true — not all beaches are created equal. Choosing the right beach for your Outer Banks family photos is about more than a pretty backdrop. It’s about light, space, and a setting that allows your family to relax and be fully present together.
My photography style is rooted in capturing genuine connection while thoughtfully incorporating the natural beauty of the Outer Banks. I want your photos to not only look like you’re tucked away on your own private beach — I want them to feel that way, too.
Because of its secluded location, Coquina Beach is free from towering rental homes, power lines, and the visual distractions often found at more populated beaches. The result is clean, timeless imagery that keeps the focus where it belongs — on your family.
Things to consider
Variety, Light & Flexibility — Even on those Windy Days
One of the things I love most about Coquina Beach is the variety we can achieve simply by moving through the landscape. We always begin our sessions in the dunes, where we can create more structured groupings in soft, flattering light. Tucked among the rolling dunes, with golden light filtering through the sea oats, this setting is truly something special.
Outer Banks weather can be unpredictable, but the dunes give us flexibility in every direction. Even on windy days, we’re able to find protected spots and beautiful angles, ensuring gorgeous images no matter what the conditions bring. With it’s wide open dunes, and wide open stretch of flat sand by the water – you truly get the best of both worlds. You can still get those ocean photos, without having to sacrifice gorgeous dunes.
Ending at the Water’s Edge
We always save this for last — because once the water is in sight, it’s hard for little ones (and big ones… I’m looking at you, dads) to resist.
This is where we loosen things up and lean into candid moments. With gentle prompts to keep kids engaged, we focus on natural interactions — a little running, a little splashing, and lots of laughter. The goal is simple: to capture the joy of being together, just as you are, on the beach.
Let’s Connect
Ready to get your outer banks family portrait scheduled?
Fill out the contact form with your vacation and dates and let’s get your family beach portrait on the books!
