Red tide is having an impact on local photography sessions and other oceanfront events.
Local photographers tell us parks are becoming the go-to spot this week for family and maternity pictures because the beach is really off limits. Between closures and the health impacts of red tide, those typical Florida photo shoots have been sidelined.
Nicole Hochman of Love Story Photography loves her South Florida beach shoots and hates to put them on hold. She says, “they (clients) have their heart set on wanting to do pictures at the beach and unfortunately having to tell them no is always a little frustrating for them and for me.”
As the red tide news began to spread, she started fielding messages from clients wondering what to do, especially as the holiday photo season approaches.
Hochman says, “I’ve had to pretty much reschedule any of the clients that are currently messaging me I’m just letting them know the situation that the beaches are closed and we have to reschedule.”
One of them is Lori Doty. She said it’s as disappointing to move her family’s beach shoot from the beach to a park, but knows her family’s health matters most.
Hochman says she is giving clients other options, like parks and areas west of the beach. But she knows the beach photo shoots are the ones people really want. “Now that it’s really hitting home, it’s really really tough for a lot of us photographers out there.”
She says she has rescheduled a handful of clients so far this week.
Other photographers we spoke with are also rescheduling or moving beach shoots. One said a few shoots had to be canceled completely because the clients were visiting from out of town.