Best Beach Locations for Family Photos
Cooper's Beach, Southampton - Consistently rated one of the best beaches in the United States, Cooper's Beach offers wide, pristine stretches of sand with natural dunes and ocean views. The beach is clean, spacious, and well-maintained, which makes it ideal for family photo sessions. The late afternoon light here is spectacular; the golden hour turns the sand and water into a warm, glowing canvas.
Best Time: One to two hours before sunset for golden light washing across the sand. Weekday morning sessions avoid summer crowds.
Parking Note: Non-resident parking fees apply in summer; book sessions for early morning or evening to avoid peak lot fees.
Sagg Main Beach (Sagaponack) - A hidden gem among Hamptons beaches, Sagg Main is quieter and more wild than its famous neighbors. The dunes here are dramatic and beautiful, and the beach has a raw, natural quality that lends itself to more editorial-style family portraits. It's particularly stunning in the late summer and fall when the dune grasses turn golden.
Style Suggestion: Soft neutrals, linen, and flowing fabrics look absolutely stunning against the natural dune grass and sand tones here.
Atlantic Avenue Beach, Amagansett - With its picturesque parking lot dune approach and wide beach, Atlantic Avenue Beach in Amagansett is a favorite for photographers. The dunes provide a beautiful natural frame, and the beach itself tends to be less crowded than Southampton beaches. It has a relaxed, quintessentially Hamptons feel.
Main Beach, East Hampton - Main Beach in East Hampton offers some of the most beautiful dunes and beach grass in the Hamptons. It has an exclusive, serene quality, and the approach through tall dune grass makes for gorgeous walkway shots. They have working bathrooms and a cafe, which is the perfect way to finish your session with a snack.
Havens Beach - Havens Beach is Sag Harbor’s own small public beach, tucked along the harbor’s edge. It has a gentle, sheltered quality very different from the open Atlantic beaches to the south — the water is calm, the setting is intimate, and the views across the harbor to North Haven are quietly beautiful. Ideal for young families who prefer still water, and a lovely spot for end-of-day light when the harbor glows warm.
Village & Landscape Locations to visit during your session
East Hampton Village - The village of East Hampton is one of the most beautifully preserved historic villages in America. Tree-lined streets, white picket fences, the iconic Home Sweet Home Museum, and the old windmill on James Lane all make for charming, characterful backdrops. A walk through the village at golden hour produces photographs that feel timeless and storybook-perfect.
Must-Visit Spot: The East Hampton windmill on James Lane, which dates to 1804, is a beloved landmark and makes a unique, one-of-a-kind background for family portraits.
BeBe Windmill, Bridgehampton - If you're looking for that quintessential Hamptons windmill backdrop with open fields around it, the Bebe Windmill area in Bridgehampton is stunning. The surrounding farm fields and open sky create a pastoral, painterly setting that is especially beautiful in late summer and early fall when the light is golden and warm.
Mecox Bay & Watermill - The calm, glassy waters of Mecox Bay offer a completely different feel from ocean beaches. The bay is surrounded by reeds and marsh grasses that glow brilliantly in sunset light, and the reflections on the water can be extraordinary. This is a great location for families who prefer calmer water for young children, and the Water Mill area nearby has charming historic structures worth incorporating.
Long Lane Farm Stand Area, East Hampton - Farm stands are iconic to the Hamptons, and the pastoral countryside along Long Lane and Butter Lane in Bridgehampton offers sweeping agricultural landscapes with barns, fields, and hedgerows. This is a wonderful location for more lifestyle-oriented family sessions where the goal is relaxed, natural interaction rather than posed portraits.
Sag Harbor Wharf & Village Waterfront - The Sag Harbor waterfront is the town’s heart. The village wharf, dotted with sailboats and classic wooden vessels, offers a nautical backdrop unlike anywhere else in the Hamptons. The soft morning light reflecting off the harbor creates beautiful, painterly conditions for photography. Families can walk the docks, explore the marina, and capture that relaxed, maritime spirit that defines the town.
Main Street, Sag Harbor -Sag Harbor’s Main Street is lined with Federal and Greek Revival architecture dating back to the 1800s, giving it a stately, historic quality. The American Hotel, the Old Whalers’ Church, and the row of independent shops and galleries create a rich visual backdrop. Unlike the more boutique-heavy streets of East Hampton or Southampton, Main Street feels lived-in and authentic — perfect for candid, documentary-style family portraits.
