Best Beaches on Cape Cod for Photos | Cape Cod Photographer

Education, Engagement Sessions, Family Sessions

March 4, 2025

Best Beaches on Cape Cod for Photos

The Cape is a breathtakingly beautiful place. I love living here and experiencing every season. The beaches are glorious all year long, but the wind in the winter months will keep you from wanting to have your photos taken. It is way too cold, I promise you that. While the beaches on Cape Cod are beautiful and worthy of photographs, they are not all treated equal when considering where one should have their photos taken. Lighting is so important, especially when photographing people. This is why I’ve put together a list of the best beaches on Cape Cod for photos. Please keep in mind, this list is completely subjective. I’ve compiled it based on how I photograph my clients and my own personal style of photography.

When choosing which beach to photograph at, I first like to know what time of day the session will take place. Some beaches are more lovely at sunrise, while others are best at sunset. Some beaches can even provide dreamy light in the middle of the day.

Lighthouse Beach

Lighthouse Beach in Chatham, MA is my top choice for sunrise sessions. This beach offers lovely layers of dune grass and rolling hills of sand. The way the sun rises in the morning provides a beautiful and soft hue of pinks and purples. It’s stunning.

Nauset Light Beach

Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, MA makes a statement. The towering dunes are magnificent. The beach stretches on for what feels like forever. I love hearing the crash of the waves and spotting seals just off shore. If you want your photos to shout Cape Cod, then this is the beach for you.

Scusset Beach

Scusset Beach in Sagamore, MA is my favorite spot for a boardwalk vibe. It’s also perfect for those who want that rich, golden sunset glow in their photos. The boardwalk is surrounded by dune grass, and is a lovely spot for little ones.

Mayflower Beach

Mayflower Beach in Dennis, MA is best enjoyed at low tide. Its wide stretch of sand adds beautiful drama to family portraits, and it’s a great spot to incorporate play into your session. Because the sun sets directly over the water, your gallery will have a nice mix of golden glow and soft hues of pinks, purples, and blues. It’s one of my favorite beaches for family sessions. I do encourage you to plan to get a little wet, because what little kid doesn’t love splashing in the surf or the tide pools?!

Another reason I love Mayflower Beach? The light makes for really amazing black and white images.

Marconi Beach

Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, MA is my go-to for outer cape family sessions. It has all of the drama of Nauset Light, but there is a cute little overlook at the top that is great for families with littles. I love that you can really have the best of both worlds at this location.