Seward Beach Photography Tips - High School Senior Portraits in Seward, Alaska
Why Seward Beach Photo Sessions Are Beautifully Unpredictable
If you're dreaming of beach portraits, Seward, Alaska might be the spot for you. Located on Resurrection Bay, this small gem of a town routinely experiences rain and chilly weather in the summer. That means if you’re planning a seaside photo shoot, embracing cold temps, damp air, and dreamy fog is necessary. If you fully embrace it, you can come away with gorgeous senior portraits.
What You’ll Really Need
1. Be prepared for the cold with the proper clothing.
The secret to comfortable outdoor portrait sessions here is layering. Now I’m not saying wear thermal layers and sweatshirts. Most likely you have some cute outfits that you want to wear. Maybe even an off-the-shoulder romantic dress. But make sure you have a jacket or a blanket to wear in between shots or when you get old. Also if you have a cute pair of shoes you want to have in the photos, be sure to bring a pair of shoes that are easy to walk around with, and then you can change them when we get to the location.
2. Shoot through the rain—creativity in moisture.
Drizzle isn’t a dealbreaker—it’s an opportunity. Light rain can yield reflective wet sand, softened horizons, and cinematic mood. I will be honest, sometime it rains the whole weekend. So we might have to do some of the photos with a cute umbrella. We have to work with what we have!
3. Book your Airbnb early!
Seward is tiny—with fewer than 3,000 residents—and lodging books fast, especially in summer. Many vacation rentals and AirBnBs are off-season only, and demand spikes once the Kenai Fjords cruise season kicks.
Peak season runs from mid-May through mid-September. Rentals can be snached up early. But sometimes you do get lucky with a last minute opening.
Outfit Ideas—Real Alaska Style
Rich textures: chunky knits, leather jackets, wool coats—ocean‑ready yet stylish. If your an Alaskan, you can’t go wrong with the Xtra-Tuffs!
Bold pops: scarlets, deep blues, soft blues, purples, forest greens that stand out against smoky grays.
Motion-friendly: flowing skirts, and dresses—to capture romantic wind movement. I love a good dress. This would even be a good time to bring your prom dress along for a few photos!
Final Tip: Embrace the Seward Mood
Every year, Seward's unpredictable skies and weather gift us incredible visuals—the dramatic clouds, wild reflections, and misty peaks are part of its charm. If you embrace the challenge, it will reward you with unforgettable photos!
