A Photographer’s Guide To America’s Best Beaches – That Aren’t In Florida
When you think about beaches in the US, it’s easy to let your thoughts stray to Florida. The palm trees, the blazing sun, the orange juice, the abundance of old people. It’s all there in one neat package.
But of course, we know there are other beaches in America. Really nice beaches. So why is Florida always at the top of the list when it comes to coastal vacations?
If you’re a photographer and you’re looking for a new place to build upon your portfolio – and have a few opportunities to sunbathe while you’re at it – then we’re here to tell you about all the best non-Floridian beaches.
Don’t get us wrong, Florida is beautiful. But we all know that – and if you go to Florida, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. With the beaches below, however, all offer something a bit different…
Find Eternity At Virginia Beach, Virginia
Have you ever been walking along a beach and not been able to tell where it ends or where it began? Sounds like a dream, right? Well, at Virginia Beach, that dream can become a reality. Stretching for 35 miles, this place offers gorgeous landscape and horizon photography opportunities.
It’s a simple beach, just a massive stretch of sand and a few hundred sunbathers enjoying it, but this makes it perfect for the photographer who wants to create a beautiful portfolio with little effort. Just as you can create a photo book in 2 clicks, at Virginia Beach, all it takes is a few clicks of the camera, and you’ve got the perfect picture!
Step Onto The Boardwalk Of Ocean City, Maryland
For over 100 years, the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, has been an entertainment mainstay for locals and travellers alike. Even in 2023, it has retained that charming vintage feel, to the point where your photographs will make it look like you’ve stepped back in time.
We recommend taking some pictures at the entrance archway, which has a beautiful 1950s look to it, and perhaps taking a Bay Hopper to explore the ocean around the boardwalk itself. As well as this, you can try out a few nighttime shots of the arcade, where you can go on a variety of rides, including the Trimper roller coasters, the giant wheel or – if heights aren’t really your thing – the tea cups!
Take Some Bizarre Photography At Carlsmith Beach, Hawaii
We said we’d give you something different, and that’s exactly what Carlsmith Beach is. Different. Although it’s in Hawaii – and Hawaii is where the sandy beaches live – this is not so much a beach, but more of a seaside lawn.
Surrounding the water are gorgeous, crystal-like rocks, each like jagged black glass jutting out from the ground, giving the place a mystical, fairy-tale feel. Believe us, if you travel here and upload your photos to a photo book maker, your friends won't think you went to a different state for your vacation...more like a different planet.
Embrace Your Inner Cowboy At Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
But going to a beach isn’t all about landscape photography, there are plenty of things you can do to spice your photography up a bit. For instance, at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you can embrace your inner cowboy and ride horseback with the waves beneath your feet.
This is one of the best spots in America for horseback rides, with the guides taking you along the beach, through the water, and then around the nearby woodland – where you can get some spectacular views of the ocean glistening below you. For those travelling with children – or simply those who have always wanted to be a cowboy – this is a great place to realise your dreams and take some great shots while you’re at it!
Try Out Glass Ball Photography At Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Lastly, the best beaches in America are not necessarily the most sandy, or the ones where most people go during their summer vacation. Sometimes the best beaches are the ones where you feel most inspired. Take Cape Elizabeth, for instance. Taking up much of Maine’s southern coast, this is a spot that you might recognise as the inspiration for Robert Egger’s famous movie The Lighthouse.
It's not hard to see why, either. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and it’s a perfect place to try out some glass ball photography, which will give you mind-bending reflections of the water, jagged rocks and awe-inspiring Portland Head Lighthouse. You might not be sunbathing here any time soon, but you’ll still come away with some masterful photographs. And let's be honest, that's what it's all about!
