Why Are Falmouth Beach Portraits the #1 Choice for Cape Cod Families and Seniors?
Where timeless memories meet the sea
If you’re interested in breathtaking beach portraits in Falmouth, MA, you’re in the right place! From golden hour glows to barefoot laughs in the sand, Falmouth is one of my favorite spots to photograph families and high school seniors.
As a local photographer who knows the Cape inside and out, I’ve spent countless evenings capturing joyful, sun-kissed moments along Falmouth’s scenic shores. Whether we’re on the quiet dunes of Chapoquoit Beach or gazing at the sunset at Old Silver, the backdrop is always stunning, and uniquely yours.
Why Falmouth?
This town is a treasure for anyone wanting portraits that feel relaxed, coastal, and beautiful. Falmouth offers:
- Wide, sandy beaches with calm waves – this beach is perfect for little ones running free
- Gorgeous sunsets that light up your portraits with warm, flattering light
- Charming beach paths, weathered fences, and grassy dunes for variety in your gallery
Beach Portraits for Every Milestone
Family Sessions: Celebrate your Cape Cod vacation with a family session that feels more like a fun beach evening than a photo shoot. I’ll guide you through relaxed poses, candid moments, and real connection.
High School Seniors: For rising seniors, Falmouth offers the perfect mix of chill coastal vibes and natural elegance. Let’s create images that celebrate who you are right now with wind in your hair and sand between your toes.
Planning Your Falmouth Beach Portrait Session
You’ll get a custom personalized experience from start to finish. After booking, you’ll receive a detailed style and prep guide, and we’ll chat about the best location and time of day. Most sessions take place about 60 minutes before sunset for that dreamy, golden-hour light (and less-crowded beaches).
Keep reading for the best beach locations in Falmouth for stunning family portraits and high school senior photos!
These Falmouth Beaches Are Picture-Perfect for Family and Senior Portraits 📸
Nobska Lighthouse Beach
- Description: An iconic landmark overlooking a beach offering stunning views of Vineyard Sound and the surrounding coastline – is there a more ideal location?
- Best for: Small groups, and senior portraits.
- Session Tip: Technically located in Woods Hole, MA, but a short ride from most of Falmouth. There are a few ‘vignettes’ with beach grass and snow fencing to add to the classic Cape Cod look of your photos.
Surf Drive Beach
- Description: With views of Martha’s Vineyard and a serene shoreline, Surf Drive Beach is a beautiful and peaceful location right near downtown Falmouth.
- Best for: Large and small Family portraits and senior photos.
- Session Tip: No direct sunset views, but it’s a less-crowded beach with lovely light at sunset. Easy access to the beach for those with mobility challenges.
Wood Neck Beach
- Description: Another west-facing beach in West Falmouth, this is a narrow, rocky beach but has a view of the sunset.
- Best for: Small family portraits and senior photos.
- Session Tip: Also has an inlet marsh with a beautiful grassy/marshy background and great light for portraits.
Menauhant Beach
- Description: Also has views of Martha’s Vineyard and a serene shoreline, Menauhant is a pretty location with beautiful light at golden hour. It is a narrow beach and slightly rocky, dotted with jetties.
- Best for: Large and small family portraits and senior photos.
- Session Tip: No direct sunset views, but it’s a less-crowded beach with lovely light at sunset.
Chapoquoit Beach
- Description: AKA “Chappy” – Located on Buzzards Bay, it’s a narrow rocky beach and not very picturesque aside from having a great view of the sunset.
- Best for: Small family portraits and senior photos.
- Session Tip: Also has a marsh on the other side of the parking lot that is accessible at low tide that could be suitable for large families.
Old Silver Beach
- Description: Known for its soft white sand and gentle waves, Old Silver Beach is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
- Best for: Small groups, and senior portraits.
- Session Tip: This beach faces west, so has a great view of the sunset. Sessions are scheduled during the ‘golden hour’ to watch the sunset and take advantage of the breathtaking lighting and reflections on the water. Best at low tide so there’s more beach to work with. This is a crowded beach at all times of the day between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and it’s a popular sunset-watching location.
“Anyone who can get twelve people, ages 3+ and older, to look at the camera, relax and smile, all at the same time, is a true professional at their craft.”
This was our second experience with Cassandra! She is absolutely the best! Anyone who can get twelve people, ages 3+ and older, to look at the camera, relax and smile, all at the same time, is a true professional at their craft. Her work is not only wonderful, but the products are exceptional. She is on time, efficient and provided a quick response to all of our questions and concerns. In less than a month, we had all of our photos and all the products we ordered through her in hand. Would definitely go with Cassandra for a third time!
Falmouth Off-Beach locations
The Knob
- Description: A scenic walking trail leading to a rocky outcrop with panoramic views of Buzzards Bay.
- Best for: Senior portraits
- Session Tip: Parking is extremely limited, it’s about a 10-minute walk to get to a photogenic spot, and the location is often very crowded for sunset.
Quisset Harbor
- Description: A quaint inner harbor dotted with classic sailboats and a small beach .
- Best for: Adventurous senior sessions and family hikes with scenic photo opportunities.
- Session Tip: Parking is extremely limited, and sessions can only be scheduled at low tide.
Parks, Nature Spots and Stuff to Do in Falmouth
Spohr Gardens
- Description: This hidden gem is a six-acre garden filled with blooming flowers, tranquil ponds, and charming pathways.
- Best for: Spring and summer family photos, senior portraits for those who love beautiful scenery but not the beach.
- Session Tip: Spring is the best time for flowers; the rest of the summer is mostly greenery.
Highfield Hall & Gardens
- Description: A beautifully restored mansion with elegant gardens, walking trails, and cultural exhibits.
- Best for: Formal family portraits, sophisticated senior photos.
- Session Tip: Using the architecture and gardens for creative photos.
Falmouth Commodores Baseball Games
- Description: Enjoy a fun-filled day at the ballpark with the family watching future MLB stars spending their summer playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Shining Sea Bikeway
- Description: A scenic 10.7-mile bike path stretching from Falmouth to Woods Hole, offering picturesque views along the way. Bike rental stores are available in downtown Falmouth. Bring a towel and take a rest stop at the beach, and go all the way to Woods Hole for some ice cream or a snack.
What if it Rains?
Let’s talk weather! ☀️🌧️
New England and Cape Cod weather can be… a little wild. Just because it’s sunny at your house doesn’t mean it’s the same at the beach! I’m a bit of a weather nerd in the summer, so I keep a close eye on things and will stay in touch the day before and day of your session to make the best call. If you spot something funky that I haven’t, don’t hesitate to give me a heads-up!
We typically only reschedule for rain or strong winds. Cloudy days can actually be beautiful and often lead to amazing sunsets. We’ll make a final decision together about 2 hours before your session.
I know many families are only on the Cape for a short time, so I only book one session per evening and leave buffer days for weather issues. If you’d like extra peace of mind, you can reserve a guaranteed rain date for $500, which gets credited toward any print/product order over $1000.
If we absolutely can’t make it work due to weather or something out of our control, your deposit is safe – you can either use it for a future session or receive a full refund.
When should I book my Cape Cod beach session?
The sooner, the better! 🌊 I only photograph one family per day and always leave a few dates open each week for weather reschedules—so my calendar fills up fast.
As soon as you know your vacation dates, reach out! I recommend booking your session early in your trip so we’ve got wiggle room if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Click to check the Calendar and Book your Family Portrait Session
Can we snap our own photos during the session?
I kindly ask that you leave the cameras (yep, even phones!) tucked away during our time together. 📵
Having everyone’s full attention helps me capture the best moments! Plus, extra cameras can be distracting for kiddos and pets. Just give your crew a heads-up about this policy ahead of time. Thanks so much!
What should I wear for a beach portrait session?
Great outfits = gorgeous photos! 👗🌊
Soft colors and beachy tones work best – they let you shine, not just your clothes. After you book, I’ll send you a full “What to Wear” guide with color palettes and tips to share with the whole crew. Can’t wait? Feel free to download it below for some instant inspiration!
Download a Free What to Wear Guide for Family Beach Photos
Planning your family portraits can be overwhelming – especially if you’re dealing with multiple families, and trying to make time for it during your vacation! “What do you suggest we wear?” is the #1 question I get asked – so I’ve created a free ‘What to Wear Guide for Family Portraits on the Beach’. Download this guide for help in styling a family portrait session for you and your family while you’re on Cape Cod, and to create beautiful timeless images for you to decorate your home with. You’ll also get tips on how to choose your photographer, and what to do with your photos! Oh and a few ideas on making the best of your visit to Cape Cod, too!
We had our second photo shoot with Cassandra this summer on Cape Cod. I Would highly recommend Cassandra, her pictures are amazing! All our friends and family can’t stop talking about how beautiful the pictures came out. Thank you so much for the memories!
100% Guarantee!
I absolutely guarantee you will be thrilled with your family portraits or I will rephotograph your family, or give you a full refund.
If you have purchased a digital package, you have the opportunity to view the photos prior to downloading them. Downloading your high-resolution images constitutes that you are 100% satisfied with the images.
