Beach Shoots: Gear to help you stay ready for sun, salt and sand.
- jackieread0
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Filming on beaches always looks dreamy until you’re knee-deep in sand, salt, and chaos.
I've worked on many beaches and have learned a few lessons along the way. At the end of last year, I did a job as a 1st AC in Japan and Hawaii shooting primarily on beaches and I felt very prepared.
The DP had the obvious things (ND filters, polarizers, sun-hoods for monitors and a blower and brush for gently removing sand from the camera and lenses) but here's a few things I added and would definitely recommend:
Waterproof but breathable footwear. You want something that can handle splashes, but won’t turn into a sauna. Hot beaches + fully sealed shoes = sweaty, uncomfortable feet fast. I used a pair of On Running Cloud 6 Waterproof last year and they were perfect. Also always had a pair of flat waterproof shoes on standby (great for when you may need to get in the surf or tide pools).
A proper beach cart (big inflatable wheels!) If you're filming abroad and can't bring this, ask production to get you something locally (even a baby buggy with beach wheels in a pinch!) Trust me, you'll always want to bring more than you can carry. Extra points if you can get something with water bottle holders!
A photography backpack. Underrated lifesaver. Beach days have a habit of turning into “let’s just go a bit further down there…” and suddenly your cart is miles away. Having a lightweight backpack ready means you can quickly throw in 1–2 lenses, a cleaning kit, maybe a battery, and move fast without holding up the shoot (or stressing about leaving gear behind)
Space blankets (or any non-porous ground cover). These are essential for safely laying out lenses and also protecting gear from heat (can also use it for that inevitable surprise rain shower).
Extra swatches of bolton (black fabric). Sun-hoods aren’t always enough ... a couple of these and BOOM instant monitor cave when you need it! Bring one for the AC, the DP, the director, anyone who needs to look at a monitor.
Distilled water + rags. This doesn't necessarily have to travel in your cart but great to have at basecamp for a quick clean of the equipment between setups or end of day. Saltwater and gear do not get along.
One item I didn’t have this time that is usually in my wet-weather bag but I stupidly removed because I was "packing light" ... Silica gel packs! If you're shooting beaches of course the director is going to ask for some shots of the waves or the surf. These bad boys absorb moisture fast, so if (when) your camera or monitor gets hit by spray (or a rogue wave…), getting it into a sealed bag with these can help pull moisture out before it causes damage or corrosion. (Yes, you guessed it, this happened on our shoot. The DP asked for some Silica and I was panicked that it was no longer in my wet weather bag. Luckily, we had a B camera to keep shooting and the A camera dried out fine and powered back up in no time ... but it was a sweaty moment. (Photo of the monitor frozen on the last frame before a wave hit the camera. We were able to laugh about this one later ... much later).
Beaches are unpredictable, but that’s part of the magic. Stay ready, stay adaptable, and protect the gear at all costs.
What’s something beach shoots have taught you the hard way? 🌊
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