Bella & Nick

I adore paddleboarding. There’s something so exhilarating about standing on the water, taking things at your own speed, and diving into the wake at your leisure. It was such an immediate obsession that our second-ever paddle trip was a seven-mile day trip! So, when I got a chance to photograph Becca & Nick paddleboarding in Mammoth Lakes, California, I was overjoyed.

As a photographer, I’ll admit this was a bit of a challenge. Sea legs and photographer’s hands are a tough balance to strike! But it was such a fun adventure couples photography session for Becca & Nick, that I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Paddleboarding Photos in Mammoth Lakes

When Becca & Nick showed up to meet us at one of the area’s glorious lakes, Isiah and I were already getting prepped for the photoshoot. The four of us chatted about our shared experiences in vanlife, while I gathered my camera gear, and Isiah inflated our two standup paddleboards (SUPs) for the couple.

Becca & Nick were dressed in flowy white clothing. Like us, this couple is fellow burners, so of course they were stylish! Their aesthetic was a combo of hippie-esque and outdoorsy—ideal for the activities we had planned for the afternoon.

Our initial foray was pushing out from the shore with Becca & Nick on one paddleboard and Isiah and I on the other. The water was cold, the breeze was gentle, and the light was soft. All in all, it was a perfect day.

This wasn’t my first time taking my camera onto a paddleboard. Don’t worry, I’m very careful! But a dry bag and good balance are essential. I’ve had amazing times paddleboarding—from visiting waterfalls in Idaho, backpacking on the water in Arizona, bouldering waterfalls in Iceland, and watching sea turtles in the Caribbean. And each of those times, I’ve braved the aquatic adventures with my camera in hand.

I bring all that up to say, it was certainly more difficult directing the couple on their paddleboard. That’s because I’m floating and bobbing on the water too. Isiah tried to navigate and position me, while I sat on the front, camera in hand. It was doable, enough—but it wasn’t as easy as I’d anticipated.

Becca & Nick were very patient with me, but that was also the charm of the moment, cause they were bobbing around too. Eventually, I just embraced the moment, wading in the cold water. My husband thought I was crazy. But honestly, it was the right move because I could focus more on the beautiful couple in front of me.

This also freed up a paddleboard, so Becca & Nick could each have their own, with Isiah returning to the shore. Our couple paddled into the distance and back, before sitting on the boards to splash each other a bit.

Lastly, I got Becca & Nick to stand up in the shallow water. They said it wasn’t too cold, but maybe they are just used to the water temperatures. I eagerly snapped photos of the two kissing, wearing their sunglasses, and enjoying each other’s company.

Tips for Your Own Couple’s Paddleboarding Photos

Does paddleboarding during your couple’s photo shoot sound like the perfect adventure? Amazing! Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the experience:

Check the weather. Temperatures, rain, cloud cover, and wind can drastically affect things. So pay attention to the weather and prepare accordingly.
Hire a good photographer who knows what to do regarding paddleboarding photoshoots. This includes when and where, how to pose you, and how to keep the experience fun.
Bring the right type of clothing. Examples include layers, swimsuits, hats, sunglasses, sandals or water shoes, and the like.
Bring essential supplies. Sunscreen is an obvious example. But you should also pack snacks, water, a change of clothes, towels, and anything else you might need for the day.
Get your paddleboarding gear. We lent our inflatable SUPs to Becca & Nick for the day. But you could also bring or rent your own board, air pump (if applicable), and life jackets if you’d prefer.
Learn the basics of paddleboarding. Take some time to practice standing on the board, paddling, navigating wakes, and climbing on and off. It’s okay to sit down, too.

Ready to schedule your adventure couple’s photoshoot? Contact me to book your photographer!