Photography Session The Spit Gold Coast

Early Morning Photography Session Southport, Gold Coast. Australia

Waking up early and watching the sunrise is one of the most grounding and enjoyable ways to start the day. Sure, you’ve got to get up while it’s still dark and sacrifice a sleep-in, but it’s definitely worth the early start. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself and the world around you and see something naturally beautiful. If you’re a budding photographer, it’s also a great time to practice your skills.

Aren't we so lucky to live at the Brisbane?!  This beautiful city of ours is such an awesome location half-way between the Sunshine and Gold Coast with great backdrops for landscape photography. Whether you’re into nature, greenery, urban settings or beaches, there’s a beautiful location that’s bound to compliment your branding. After rain and showers for the last couple of days, I risked the 3am drive down the M1 to capture sunrise at The Spit, Southport.

The Spit is hands down one of my favourite Gold Coast beaches to shoot at.  Starting the day with your toes in the sand is pretty much ideal. Maritime landmark The Southport Spit isn’t just a favourite for local fishermen throwing in a line. There’s beautiful beach paths with greenery, there’s a rock wall, jetty, dunes with long grass and of course the beautiful ocean. But make your way to the permanent sand spit that separates Southport Broadwater from the Pacific Ocean at sunrise, and you’ll see one of the district’s best vistas. Budding photographers can’t afford to forget their camera; the jetty and its population of local fishing fans make excellent subject matter.

I then quickly headed further down to Main Beach which is the most photogenic stretch of sand in the 57 kilometers of coastline running along the city of Gold Coast, though it’s much more than a pretty postcard. The beach itself contains many hidden delights and overlooked sights dotted up and down the Spit, such as the old bathing pavilion, Pavilion 34 which has been refitted as a casual beach cafe.

 

I then headed high on the hill at Currumbin, the type of impossible incline that induces lactic acid in even the most experienced athletes. At this hour, frilled lizards frolic up here, while down below in Currumbin Alley, surfers and paddlers squeeze for the early sun’s rays. I headed down to Currumbin’s Elephant Rock, home to the iconic annual Anzac Day dawn service and climbed the steep steps to capture a few shots

The Spit

The Spit is on the north end of the Gold Coast and a great location for sunrise photography. The beach has a sand-pumping jetty that juts out 800m and is extremely popular with fisherman. The jetty makes for a great focal point, shooting either underneath, on the left or right of it.

Access: Park near the Kiosk on SeaWorld Drive and walk towards the beach via the path.

Time: Sunrise and Sunset.

Setup: Beach and jetty.

Essential Equipment: Tripod, ND Grad, shutter release.

Tips: Careful when photographing under the jetty as there is a run off and large waves.

Currumbin

Another go-to sunrise location for a lot of Gold Coasters and it’s one of my favourites for sure. The best compositions are from Currumbin Beach looking north with Currumbin Rock as the focal point. There are some nice rocks that can be used as foreground interest on the lower tides.

Tide: All tides

Access:  Park at The Alley car park on Pacific Parade.

Time: Sunrise and sunset.

Setup: E / NE facing beach, great for sunrise and also sunset.

Essential Equipment: Tripod, ND Grad filter, shutter release.

Tips: The rocks at Currumbin Rock are like razor blades, so pack your thongs or shoes.

#goldcoast #australia #brisbane #queensland #surfersparadise #melbourne #sydney #perth #goldcoastbusiness #sunshinecoast #gc #wearegoldcoast #goldcoastlife #love #travel #beach #thisisqueensland #qld #photography #surf #destinationgoldcoast #burleigh #visitgoldcoast #tattoo #surfing #summer #burleighheads #goldcoastfood #igersgoldcoast