Gorgeous, Sun-filled Family Portraits on the Beach
“It’s the best beach in Greenwich“
At Forty Seven Moments, we believe that a family beach session is about far more than a perfect portrait against a scenic backdrop. Although that is definitely a plus! It’s about capturing the connection between you (a busy mom) and your family. It’s a time to slow down, hold hands and interact with one another. We allow our clients to fully relax, take it in and not feel pressure to get the “perfect shot”.
Choosing the right location for these memories is an art form in itself. While the Gold Coast offers no shortage of beauty, Tod’s Point (Greenwich Point Park) remains our premier choice for families seeking an elevated, timeless aesthetic. With its unique blend of rugged New England shoreline, sun-bleached dune grass, and panoramic views that stretch toward the Manhattan skyline, it provides a canvas that feels both vast and deeply intimate.
In this guide, we’re sharing why this iconic Greenwich landmark is the perfect setting for your next family beach session. From the dreamy golden hour glow, to choosing a wardrobe that complements the coastal palette, we want to help you understand why Tod’s Point is the ideal location for your family portraits.
1. The Uniqueness of the Long Island Sound
What makes this location for family portraits ideal is that you’re approximately 30 minutes outside of NYC. Whenever I’m at Tod’s Point, I look out at the horizon and I find myself in disbelief that this gorgeous, serene location exists within an hour of the hustle of the Big Apple. It’s convenient for those who work in the city and live in the suburbs.
- As a Fairfield County, CT photographer, I see many beaches along the Connecticut coastline and Tod’s Point is one of my very favorites. It offers a variety of landscapes and backdrops within it’s 147.3 acres, including lush, green plants, vibrant flowers, tall beach grass, wooded areas and even open fields.
- The combination of the soft tones of the beach and the vibrant foliage make for a variety of family pictures. It’s perfect for our style because it allows us to walk and chat, follow busy toddlers around and photograph them while they are exploring.
2. Why Tod’s Point is a Greenwich Gem
Tod’s Point (Greenwich Point Park) is a town owned peninsula in Old Greenwich, CT. It’s easily accessible from NYC, yet it’s off the beaten path, so it’s not overly crowded.
- Our family portrait sessions are about an hour long. In that amount of time you can cover a lot of ground within the park. The variety of scenery makes pictures that much more original and unique.
- On clear days, you can see the Manhattan skyline which is a sophisticated backdrop for a coastal family session.
3. Golden Hour Perfection
If you’re hoping for light filled family photographs, we will plan the timeline of your session to be approximately one hour before sunset. That is another great feature of Tod’s Point, unlike most State Parks in CT, they don’t force you out before the sun goes down. This means you get to have gorgeous, un-rushed family portraits at sunset.
- Photographing beach sessions 60–90 minutes before sunset is a must for those Golden Hour portraits. Other than sunrise, it’s the softest light of the day and creates a sought after, warm glow.
- A hidden secret among photographing at sunset is “blue hour”. It’s 15 minutes after the sun goes down when the sky turns pastel pink. It’s the perfect backdrop of soft, peaceful photos that you will look back on year round.
4. Wardrobe Tips: What to Wear for the Beach
What your family wears during your portrait session is very important for many reasons. It will set the tone of your photographs. It’s one of the defining elements in our signature light and airy style. Coordinating outfits is especially important for coastal beach portraits because the right tones will impact the overall look and feel of the entire family portrait session.
- Color Palettes: Neutrals such as (creams, tans) or “sea glass” tones (dusty blue, sage green, muted lavender) are a must if you want the light and airy, soft look.
- Texture over Prints: Linen, chunky knits (if it’s a breezy fall evening), or flowy fabrics that catch the wind. This creates movement and is aesthetically pleasing.
- Shoes: We encourage families to wear neutral tone slide on shoes. This is helpful when walking over gravel or from one side of the beach to the other. Then you can easily slide your shoes on and off for portraits.
5. Navigating the Park
The beauty of Tod’s Point Park in Greenwich, CT is that it’s not just for Greenwich residents. Although, there are perks for the locals, anyone can purchase a day pass and visit during season. There is no charge for off season admittance or parking.
- Permits and Passes: Greenwich residents will need to purchase a season pass, while non residents will need to purchase a $40 parking pass in addition to a $10 per person pass in advance. No pass required for children under 5.
- The Best Entry Points: There is one main gate/check point to enter the park. From November 1-April 30 no pass is required.
6. Managing the Elements (Wind, Sand, and Toddlers)
As with any outdoor session, the weather is always a factor. Ideally, the day of your session is warm, sunny, with a slight breeze. However, that is not always the case. In the event that the weather turns out to be less ideal, maybe chilly and a bit of wind, you can modify a few things to help manage expectations.
Child-Led Sessions: Toddlers are a wonderful part of your family portraits. They make your time interactive, playful and never dull. We’ll follow them around, photograph them tossing rocks in the water, playing in sand, pointing at ducks and birds and even play some games.
Embrace the Wind: A slight breeze is wonderful, but if there will be stronger gusts, we suggest having your hair pulled back either halfway or a low, messy bun. This will keep your hair from blowing in your face and the end result will still be beautiufl.
Playing in the Sand: A change of clothes is always a good idea for outfits that get sandy. It doesn’t hurt to bring a beach towel to dry feet and wipe hands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Beach Sessions at Tod’s Point in Greenwich, CT
What if it rains the day of my session?
We will be in touch a couple of days before your family session to talk about the weather. We like to hold out as long as possible before we reschedule. Sometimes the best portraits are right after a storm. If we need to change the date we can easily do that.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed at Tod’s Point (Greenwich Point Park) in CT, but only during the off-season from December 1 through March 31. Dogs must be on a leash, with the exception of below the high-tide mark. Dogs are not allowed from April 1 to November 30, except for service animals.
Where to park my car?
There are various parking lot throughout the park. We will talk about where to meet during your wardrobe and planning appointment before your family portrait session.
Should I wear shoes?
We recommend neutral slip on shoes for walking through the park as it can be rocky with uneven pavement. When you are on the beach for your portraits, it’s best to kick off your shoes for more authentic photographs.
Next Steps: Booking Your Family Portrait Session at Tod’s Point in Greenwich, CT
If you are looking for a gorgeous family portrait session on the beach at sunset, we highly recommend Tod’s Point. We would be honored to photograph your maternity, baby milestone or family session. Please contact us to learn more about our services. We would be happy to give you more information and make your dreamy CT beach session a beautiful reality.
