These are some of my favourite spots in Yeppoon for formal photos, but I am always open to suggestions

When picking your formal session location there are a few things to consider

Lighting - due to the time of day formal sessions are held I recommend picking a location with lots of shade. I do not generally recommend formal photography on the beach, and tend to steer clear of open paddocks etc.
Styling - what kind of look are you going for? Bright dresses tend to suit locations without too much greenery, dramatic styling works well with a relatively plain location
Accessibility - If you have a car can it get in and out easily. Do any of the participants of the formal session need specific access requirements (flat ground, wheelchair access etc.)

Lammermoor Native Gardens

With lots of shade this is a great option for formal sessions early in the afternoon.

It has a great spot for family photos, and lots of places for photos of the graduates

Kemp Beach Gardens

These gardens are filled with deep green foliage, no matter what time the year, and have lots of shade for beautiful photos.

If you are set on having beach photos this is a great option as we can pop down to the beach for a few quick shots.

Yeppoon Car Park

Well suited for bright dresses and dramatic styling, the carpark offers lots of shaded areas, some cools shadows and some open areas for some bold images

Ross Creek Park

Another well shaded location, the Ross Creek Park has some beautiful fig trees, and also a mural from a local artist. It's nice and easy to get your formal car in and out of as well

Some things to think about...

We are so lucky to have some really beautiful beaches here in Yeppoon and the coast plays a big part in lots of our lives, so I understand the desire to have your formal photos on the beach.

However, the timing we have for formal photography doesn't always provide the best lighting. This can sometimes lead to photos that don't look as beautiful as those taken in better lighting conditions. For this reason, I typically don’t recommend choosing the beach as your location for formal shots.

To give you an idea, below some images from formal sessions shot in both well-lit locations and brighter, harsher settings. While both sets are beautiful, you can really see how crucial lighting is to the overall look of your photos. Soft, well-lit spots offer smooth, even tones, while bright areas can create harsh shadows and contrast.

If you are set on having the beach as your location I recommend picking a spot which has some shady gardens close by where we will shoot the majority of your images, then we can move to the beach for a limited number of images. Another great option is to have your formal photography session on a date before your formal. This means we get to pick the time of day most suitable to a beach session and it is a great opportunity to have a hair and makeup trial.