I try to make the location as simple as possible for families. If shooting at the condo or beach house is more convenient we can do that. However there is always the possibility of having condos in the background and some of the camera angles will be limited. Once a family arrives they can make the final decision if they want to shoot at the place they are staying.
The standard locations for more natural beach settings is the area around the Gulf State Park Pier in Gulf Shores or Alabama Point-Perdido Pass in Orange Beach.
Beach houses on Fort Morgan Road make for great locations to shoot. The houses along the beach are not as obtrusive as high rise condos.
There are also back bays and marinas that can give you a different look. Shooting on the bay side will have the benefit of a sunset over water. During the summer the sun sets behind the beach on the Gulf side.
