Two children and a dog race towards the surf on a windy beach while their parents run behind, laughing

Families on the beach, Alnmouth to Bamburgh

Let them run

Nobody has to stand still and nobody has to look at me. Run, dig, paddle, and I'll keep up.

One session, in order

An hour on the sand

A parent crouches on the sand by an open car boot, putting a red welly onto a child sitting in the boot. — 5.20 Wellies on

A toddler in a blue sweater and brown trousers crouches on the wet sand, pointing at a piece of seaweed. — 5.30 The cautious bit

A parent swings a child high into the air at the water's edge, their shadows stretching across the wet sand — 5.45 Running

Two children lean over a rock pool, their faces reflected in the water. — 6.00 Rock pools with children

A family of four walks away from the camera along a sandy beach at dusk, all wrapped in towels. — 6.20 Towels

The practical bit

Which beach, and when

A near-empty beach at low tide with wet sand reflecting the sky and a castle far off on the headland

Which beach

Anywhere between Alnmouth and Bamburgh. Low tide gives the most sand and opens up the rock pools, so I look at the tide tables before I suggest a time. If the wind is from the north we tuck in under the dunes at the sheltered end; from the west, the beach is calm anyway. Parking is a few minutes' walk from the sand wherever we go, and I'll send directions once we've picked a spot.

And when

The hour before sunset, nearly always. The light drops low and gold, the day trippers have gone and the sand is empty. In summer that means a late one for small children; in October it's about half past five, which suits everybody. If it's forecast to pour, we move the day rather than the plan.

Before you pack

What to wear when it's windy

Wear what you'd wear for a walk on this beach anyway: layers, something warm underneath, colours you actually own. Leave the matching outfits at home. Bare feet are good, wellies are good, and a scarf that blows about is better than a hat that blows away. Wind in the hair is in every picture I take, and it has never once spoilt one.

Are you on the coast soon?

Tell me the dates you're here, and I'll come back with a beach, a time and the tide. A family beach session is £295, and your online gallery follows within six weeks.

Albums and prints are listed on the prices page. Wedding dates go through the same diary.

Or email hello@example.com or ring 01632 960 381, Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00.