Photography & Island Life Blog

We're so excited to have you join us on this photography adventure on the beautiful Hilton Head Island.

Here on our blog, we'll be sharing all sorts of fun and informative content to inspire and delight you. From behind the scenes peeks at our latest photo shoots to tips and tricks for capturing the perfect shot, we've got something for everyone.

Whether you're a photography enthusiast looking to hone your skills, a soon to be bride seeking inspiration for your dream wedding, or a local resident curious about the best spots for a family photo session, you're in the right place.

But it's not all about photography here. We'll also be sharing stories about life on Hilton Head Island, from our favorite local haunts to the hidden gems that make this place so special.

So grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and let's dive into the wonderful world of photography and Hilton Head Island living together. We can't wait to share our passion for photography and this beautiful island with you!

Senior Portraits
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Senior Portraits

Is your child getting ready to graduate from high school? It is an exciting time for them, and a stressful time for you. When you are worrying about things like graduation, college applications, proms and formals, the last thing you need is the added stress of senior portraits. You know senior portraits can be so complicated and finding the right photographer to capture the personality of your senior is no easy task…so you let it wait. And wait. And before you know if your senior is a freshman in college. Don’t let this happen to you. We are here to make it easy on you!

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Architectural Photography
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Architectural Photography

Did you know we also do architectural photography? We don’t specialize only in family portraits, and although we love our families, let’s be honest: we don’t get very many visitors in the winter. Architectural photography is a fun way for us to keep up with the art of the photography business while keeping our creativity flowing all year round.

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How we work!
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

How we work!

With the busy season being upon us, many of you are wondering how this family portrait business on the beach works! We have the answer! We are here every step of the way to walk you thru the process from booking to picking out your photos we never leave you hanging!

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What Makes Photography So Expensive?!
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

What Makes Photography So Expensive?!

A commonly asked question that we hear a lot is what makes photography so expensive? The kid down the street is doing it for a lot less. Why should we choose you?

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Behind The Photos
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Behind The Photos

You’re flipping through your family photos, and you see that one perfect photo that gets you thinking: “Why has this photo been hiding in the family album all this time? It should be framed!” We at Island Life HH Photography have been studying and learning the science behind how the human mind processes images and what makes our brains label those images as “perfect”. There is a lot more to it than just a perfect photo.

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Ultimate Hilton Head Island Experience
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Ultimate Hilton Head Island Experience

We are sponsoring the Ultimate Hilton Head Island Giveaway! It is a photo contest where you submit your old family photo that you think needs a makeover and collect votes on Facebook. The winner with the most votes not only gets Family Portrait makeovers from us, but you also get the Ultimate Hilton Head Island Experience totaling over $1,100! The prize includes:

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Sunrise, Anyone? Where to watch the sunrise on Hilton Head
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Sunrise, Anyone? Where to watch the sunrise on Hilton Head

You may love those romantic sunset walks on the beach, but if you haven’t seen a Hilton Head sunrise, you haven’t seen anything yet! The sun rises in the East, which means Hilton Head beaches have the perfect view of the sunrise every morning. Sunsets are gorgeous in Harbour Town, but if you’re looking to walk on the beach during a sunset/sunrise, sunrise is your best bet!

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Sea Turtle Season
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Sea Turtle Season

Sea turtle season is upon us! Beginning April 1st, we will be on the lookout for sea turtle activity as well as their nests. You may ask how this affects your beach portraits. If there is a nest where we plan to shoot, we will just have to change our location. These nests (pictured below) are protected by law, which means if we are in an area where there are nests around, we are not to disturb these nests. If the nests are disturbed, the baby turtles may die or not hatch. Luckily it is not a big deal to walk just a little bit further, past a nest for your beach session.

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Using Props For Your Beach Portraits
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Using Props For Your Beach Portraits

So you may find yourself asking if you should use props for your family portraits. You like posing with props but don’t want your family portraits to look tacky. You also don’t want to take away from your beach setting, which you just don’t get every day.

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Hair Styles For Your Session
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Hair Styles For Your Session

For all the ladies out there, have you considered what you’re going to do with your hair for your portrait session? If you’re opting for the “beach waves” look, you may want to reconsider on a windy day. Those stray hairs can place themselves in the worst places possible when we are photographing during that summer breeze.

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Why Should We Choose You Over Other Photographers?
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Why Should We Choose You Over Other Photographers?

It is a well-known fact that there are many photographers on the island offering different things. So why should you choose Island Life HH for your family portraits over other photographers? Sure, it’s easy for any of the photographers to tell you they’re the best but let us tell you WHY we are the best!

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How To Stand Out For Your Family Photos
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

How To Stand Out For Your Family Photos

One of our most frequently asked questions is “What should I wear for my family portrait session?”. Since we do a majority of our sessions on the beach, these aren’t your average family photos. Light colors are best. White shirts and khakis or jeans as well as white dresses always look great, but why not make your family stand out and add a pop of color?

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Valentine’s Day for the Island
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Valentine’s Day for the Island

Are you spending this Valentine’s Day with your loved one on the beautiful Hilton Head Island? If so, check out Marley’s Island Grille.

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Island Life HH Photography Social Media Video
Rick Leipold Rick Leipold

Island Life HH Photography Social Media Video

Our custom made social media videos are a great way to show off your family beach portraits, these videos are included in some of our collections. We take some of our favorite photos of your family on the beach here in Hilton Head and put them together with music to create a great addition to your Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

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