Family photography on the Sapphire Coast |

Merimbula · Tathra · Pambula · Bermagui · Ben Boyd National Park

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There’s something that happens when families come to the Sapphire Coast on school holidays.

The phones go down (mostly). The kids run into the water without being asked. Someone’s grandpa ends up in the ocean fully clothed. Mum finally exhales. Dad does that thing where he tosses the littlest one into the air and everyone loses it laughing.

You’re already here. Already together. Already in one of the most breathtaking places in New South Wales, with golden light hitting the water and your whole crew in the same postcode for the first time in months.

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Why School Holidays on the Sapphire Coast Are Magic for Family Photos

I’m not just saying this because I’m biased (okay, I’m a little biased — I live here and I’m obsessed with this coastline).

But genuinely: school holidays are one of the best times to book a session here, and here’s why.

The light in this part of the world is ridiculous. The far south coast of NSW sits in a sweet spot where golden hour feels longer, warmer and more golden than almost anywhere else. Whether we’re shooting at Merimbula Lake with the pelicans doing their thing in the background, catching the last light over the water at Pambula Beach, or chasing that dappled afternoon glow through the bush at Tathra — it’s just different here.

You’re already relaxed. Holiday families are the best to photograph, honestly. You’re not rushing out the door for school drop-off. The kids have burned energy on the beach all day. There’s no agenda. That ease shows up in every single frame.

Everyone’s together. How often does that actually happen? The cousins, the grandparents, the whole beautiful chaotic crew — all in the same place at the same time. That’s worth documenting.

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Where We Shoot (the Good Stuff)

The Sapphire Coast is spoiled for stunning locations and I know them like the back of my hand. A few of my favourites depending on your vibe:

Merimbula & Pambula Beach — classic golden hour over the water, that warm amber light reflecting off the inlet. Gorgeous for families with little ones who want to splash around while I work around them.

Tathra Beach & Headland — dramatic, moody, beautiful. The light through the coastal bush here is something else entirely. Great for families who want something a little more editorial and wild.

The Pinnacles, Ben Boyd National Park — if you’ve seen those incredible rust-red rock formations and thought I want photos there — yes. Absolutely yes. The light window is narrow and you have to time it right, but when it’s good, it is spectacular. One of my all-time favourite locations on the coast.

Bermagui & surrounds — a quieter, more tucked-away feel. Perfect for families who want something unhurried and intimate.

Don’t stress about picking the “right” one — that’s what the pre-session planning is for. I’ll help you figure out what suits your family, your kids’ ages, and what the light is doing that week.

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What Actually Happens at a Session

I know the idea of a “family photoshoot” can conjure up images of stiff posed portraits and kids who won’t cooperate (been there, photographed that — it’s not what I do).

My sessions are slow and unhurried. I’m not barking directions or lining you up against a wall. I’m following you. I’m watching. I’m waiting for the real stuff — the way your seven-year-old grabs her little brother’s hand without being asked, the way your partner looks at you when you’re not looking back, the way your toddler completely loses it with joy when dad throws her in the air.

I’ll guide you gently when you need it and step back completely when the moments are already there.

You bring the love and the chaos. I’ll bring the camera and the playlist.

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