Looking for a Gold Coast Family Photographer? Let Me Convince You to Head South.

If you've been searching for a Gold Coast family photographer, I'm going to throw a slightly different idea your way. What if, instead of sticking to the Gold Coast, you headed a little further south?

And I don't mean packing the car for a weekend away or convincing the kids to sit through hours of driving. I'm talking about heading just over the border to the Tweed Coast, where the beaches are beautiful, the pace is a little slower and you can still find stretches of coastline that feel a world away from the busyness of the Gold Coast.

And apparently, the rest of the world is starting to catch on, with Lonely Planet shining a spotlight on the Tweed. Not bad for our little corner of the world!

I've lived in the Tweed for years now, raising my three girls here and spending a good chunk of my time exploring the coastline, both with my family and through my work as a photographer. And while I photograph plenty of families on the Gold Coast, I have to admit I'm a little biased towards the Tweed.

I love that you can still find beaches without rows of high-rises behind them, little coastal towns that haven't lost their character and places where the kids can run around without feeling like you're sharing every square metre of sand with half the Gold Coast.

So, rather than giving you another list of popular Gold Coast photography locations, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite spots on the Tweed Coast and hopefully convince you that the short drive south is well worth it.

Why I love photographing families on the Tweed Coast

Don't get me wrong, the Gold Coast has some incredible beaches, and there are plenty of locations I genuinely love photographing at. But if you're looking for somewhere that feels a little less busy and a bit more natural, I think the Tweed is pretty hard to beat.

There's something lovely about photographing families without busy beachfront buildings in the background or having to constantly work around crowds of people. Instead, we've got rocky headlands, open stretches of sand, coastal greenery and beautiful little creeks, often with far fewer people around.

And for the kind of family photography I love, that makes such a difference.

1. Hastings Point

There's so much packed into this little stretch of coastline, from the rocky headland and open beach to the coastal greenery and little sheltered pockets that give us plenty of options depending on the weather and light.

But what I really love is that it still feels like a little coastal escape. There's no big beachfront development dominating the view, and even though it's a popular spot with locals, it has a completely different feel to some of the busier beaches further north.

We can wander from the headland down onto the sand, let the kids explore the rocks and finish with everyone playing at the water's edge, all without having to venture very far. It's also one of my favourite places for those wider photographs where the landscape becomes part of the story, with your family tucked into the scenery rather than filling the entire frame.

If you're coming down from the Gold Coast and you're happy for me to choose the location, there's a pretty good chance Hastings Point will be one of my first suggestions.

2. Cudgera Creek

Just around the corner from the headland is Cudgera Creek, and while it's technically part of the same little area, I think it deserves its own mention because it offers something completely different.

Where Hastings Point has that beautiful open coastline and rocky landscape, the creek has a much softer feel, with sandy banks, shallow stretches of water and lovely reflections when the conditions are right. It's the kind of place where you can spread out a towel, let the kids splash around and suddenly realise you've been there for two hours without anyone asking to go home.

And that's part of what I love about the Tweed. There are still these lovely little spots where the entertainment is simply being outside, rather than needing a whole lot going on around you.

For family sessions, I find the kids are usually far more interested in what they can find in the water than what I'm doing with my camera, which suits me just fine.

3. Cabarita Beach

Cabarita beach is another one of those places I never really get tired of, although I might be slightly biased because it's also one of my favourite places to spend time when I'm not working.

Between the headland, the rocky coastline and the long stretches of sand, there's plenty to work with, and depending on the weather we can usually find a little corner that suits the session.

I particularly love photographing here in the late afternoon, when the light starts to soften and everything takes on that lovely warm colour. It's also a great location for families who want a mix of those big, scenic beach photographs and the smaller moments in between.

The kids can explore the rocks, run along the beach or collect enough shells to fill every pocket they own, while I follow along and photograph whatever unfolds.

4. Pottsville Creek

Pottsville is one of those lovely little coastal towns that still feels like a proper beach town. It's quieter than the Gold Coast, a little less developed, and there's something really nice about being somewhere that doesn't feel like it's constantly rushing.

The creek is a great alternative to the beach, with sandy banks, shallow stretches of water and plenty of space for the kids to explore.

What I love about sessions here is that the kids are usually far too busy enjoying themselves to worry about what I'm doing with my camera. They're splashing around, collecting shells, dragging mum and dad into the water, and I'm just there capturing it all as it happens.

It's relaxed, there's no pressure for anyone to behave perfectly, and by the end of the session the kids have usually had a pretty good time. Which, let's face it, makes life easier for everyone.

5. Fingal Head

Fingal Head is probably one of the best examples of why I love photographing families on the Tweed Coast.

Despite being so close to the southern Gold Coast, it feels completely different. There's no skyline of high-rise buildings, just a beautiful stretch of open beach, the huge headland in the background and that slightly wild, rugged coastline that makes this part of the world so special.

It's a pretty spectacular backdrop for family photos, particularly if you love those wider shots where the landscape is just as much a part of the photograph as the people in it. I love that we can start down on the beach, let the kids explore along the water's edge and then wander up towards the lighthouse for a completely different perspective. There's plenty of variety without needing to jump back in the car, and the views from the headland are pretty hard to beat.

It's also a gorgeous spot for sunrise sessions, when the beach is often quieter and the light is soft, although I completely understand that convincing the whole family to get out the door before the sun comes up isn't everyone's idea of a good time but I promise it’s worth it!

Come and see why I love the Tweed

I'm the photographer behind Wander & Solas, based in Murwillumbah and photographing families across the Gold Coast, Tweed Coast and Byron Bay.

Having raised my own three girls here, I know how lucky we are to have all these beautiful places on our doorstep, and I love getting to share them with families who might not have ventured this far south before.

So if you're looking for a Gold Coast family photographer but you're open to doing things a little differently, I'd love to show you around.

And don't worry, I won't make you get up for sunrise unless you really want to.

Explore my family photography sessions or get in touch and we can find somewhere beautiful along the coast for your family photos.