Leaving San Juan to Explore Rincón
Most family photos taken in Puerto Rico happen in San Juan. That makes sense — it's where the larger airport is, where the all inclusive hotels are, and where most photographers are based.
But! The west side, is known for its beautiful sunsets, its surfing, and laid back small town vibes. It's becoming more popular as of late and with it, brings families looking for family photos that are different than what San Juan can offer.
Being that we are on the west side, I usually recommend a sunset family photo session. In Rincón, we are known as "the town of beautiful sunsets."
In Rincón, the sun goes down into the ocean. You get that long, low, gold light coming straight at you across the water, and then fifteen minutes of pink and orange afterward.
We're a photo and video team based here in Rincón, and we shoot families on this coast year-round — visitors on vacation, families who fly everyone in for a reunion, locals who just want updated photos of the kids. The best is when we get to capture a family's annual Puerto Rico photo and watch as the babies grow into kids.
The best spots for family photos in Rincón
Rincón is small, but the coastline changes character every few minutes of driving. None of them are better than the other, but when the vibe changes - so do the photos. Also, some locations are more crowded, less ADA accessible, or are less expansive during different parts of the year.
Steps Beach (Tres Palmas Marine Reserve) The most photogenic water in town — that clear, turquoise, unreal-looking blue. Calm and shallow in the summer months, which is when it's best for kids and snorkelers. It's a protected marine reserve thanks to Amigo de Tres Palmas and Surfrider Foundation so we stay on the sand and we don't move rocks around for a shot.
Parking is very limited during the busy season and there are no restrooms. This is an ideal location for someone who wants a mix of cow fields, tall palms, and the beach. I highly recommend during sunset over the morning since the morning is filled with snorkelers and beachgoers.
Domes Beach - Big sky, rock formations, dramatic surf in the winter. This is where you go if you want photos with a variety of backdrops. Great for older kids and teens who won't mind uneven footing. In winter the waves get serious — which is beautiful in the background, but not a place to put a toddler at the waterline. Dome's Beach is one of my favorites for its secret beach spots away from the beach-goers and the nature trails at the end.
Sandy Beach and Dogman's - Sandy beach is a popular beach goer spot in the morning but at sunset it calms down a lot. It's home to Pool's Beach with their dramatic rock cliffs and palm trees that overhang onto the beach in front of Casa Isleña. If you're staying in Puntas, this is also a convenient location to shoot and grab dinner afterwards.
Downtown Rincón Plaza - For those looking for colorful walls, shade, and a completely different feel from the beach set — useful if you want variety without driving anywhere.
El Faro (the lighthouse) - Paved paths, real parking, bathrooms, a bar, and covered pavilions with an elevated view over the water. This is the most accessible spot in town — worth knowing if anyone in the family has trouble on sand.
Between January and March you can often see humpback whales and dolphins from the overlook, which is a nice thing to have happen in the middle of a session. However keep in mind this is a way busier location so hopefully you aren't too camera shy!
When to shoot
Golden hour is our favorite, but early morning is always an option.
Midday sun here is directly overhead and unforgiving — hard shadows under everyone's eyes and a lot of squinting. So we try to avoid a midday shoot unless its for commercial purposes and we're bringing a crew in.
For family photos, the last hour before sunset is the whole reason to shoot in Rincón. Early morning is the runner-up and is genuinely better if your kids fall apart in the evening.
Puerto Rico doesn't change its clocks, so our sunset moves less than you'd expect: around 6:00 pm in December and January, closer to 7:10 pm in June and July. We usually start about an hour before.
A few seasonal things worth knowing:
January–March: Bigger surf, whale season, the busiest months in town. Book further ahead.
April–August: Calmest, clearest water. Best for anyone who wants the kids actually in the ocean.
Sargassum (seaweed) drifts in unpredictably, mostly spring through summer. It affects some beaches and not others on the same day. We can tell you which and adjust accordingly.
Rain is usually a fast-moving shower, it is fairly rare for it to rain through a sunset and sometimes, it makes an even better sunset.
What to wear
Short version: soft fabrics, muted colors, no logos.
Fabrics that move. There's almost always wind on this coast. Linen, cotton, anything flowy — it catches the breeze and does half the work for you.
Colors: Creams, whites, sand tones, terracotta, dusty blues, olive. I typically recommend avoiding neon and bright primaries since it can pull the eye away from faces and bounce color onto skin.
Coordinate, don't match. Everyone in the same white shirt is pretty old school. Instead, pick two or three colors and have everyone wear something inside that range.
Skip big logos and busy patterns.
Barefoot is encouraged. Bring flip-flops for the walk in.
Ready to Book Your Session?
Let's have fun together and have a unique experience in Rincón while documenting the joy of family fun!
