Best beach areas to get family photos taken in Gulf Shores, Alabama. | Top scenic locations that make for a beautiful background for photography sessions.
Here are my top three locations to host family photo sessions in Gulf Shores, Alabama. These three locations are amazing for family photos; they all offer beautiful backgrounds for your photoshoot, are easy to access, and you can get to the beach without crossing the main road on foot.
( I personally do not photograph at locations where you have to cross the road to access the beach. Safety is my biggest priority. )
Continue reading to learn more about these locations.
Lagoon Pass Park
Located at W Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
This beach area is a great public beach with a medium-sized parking lot. This parking area also includes public restrooms on the West side of the lot for last-minute outfit changes or hair and makeup touch-ups. The beach access point is behind the restrooms, and the trail will lead you underneath the bridge. It is a fairly short walk to the beach.
The only concern is that underneath the bridge, there are rocks hidden under the sand, causing a tripping hazard. Once you get out from underneath the bridge, the path becomes smooth again. The beach location has a few options for different backgrounds, including dunes, a boardwalk, possibly a lifeguard stand, and the water.
Gulf Shores Public Beach
Located at 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
This public beach location offers a larger parking lot, but is one of the busiest lots in the area in the Spring and Summer time due to being next to the Hangout and other walkable stores. It is one of the few areas that have palm trees on the beach. It is a short walk to the water; half of the walk is covered by a blue accessibility mat. This is a great location for those who want the water in the background of their photos, but have members in the party who are in a wheelchair or have trouble walking a distance.
Gulf State Park Pier
Located at 20800 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
This beach photo location offers a unique experience, with it being at the pier. The parking lot for the pier is medium-sized and a short downward walk to the beach. The area is great for its large dunes and lack of high-rise condos. (To give you a cleaner background in your photos.) Also, photographing under the pier with the pillars can be fun.
Expect to pay $15 dollars to park at these locations (ALL DAY PASS).
Pro Tip: Spend the day at the beach at the location you are planning your photo shoot. That way you are only buying the parking pass once. The Park Mobile app does not allow you to change parking zones once paid.
Rented a condo or beach house on the beach? Yes, we can host the session on the beachfront there as well. A visitor parking pass for the photographer may be required.
