By Natasha Lamalle Photography
Maryland doesn’t get nearly enough credit for its coastline. As a DC-based photographer, I’ve watched couples drive three hours to Virginia Beach when stunning, far less crowded beaches are right in their backyard. From wild ponies on a barrier island to fossil-embedded cliffs along the Chesapeake, Maryland’s waterfront locations offer something most beach sessions can’t: personality. Here are the spots I keep coming back to, and what makes each one worth the trip.
Ocean City Beach
Ocean City is the obvious starting point, and for good reason. It’s one of the most recognizable beaches on the East Coast, wide, open, and endlessly photogenic at golden hour. The boardwalk adds a playful, nostalgic energy that works especially well for couples who want movement and story in their photos rather than posed portraits in the sand.
My tip: skip midday in the summer. The crowds and light are both brutal. Early morning or the hour before sunset is when this place transforms.
→ Learn more about Ocean City Beach
Assateague Island
If I could only pick one location on this list, it would be Assateague. This barrier island, shared between Maryland and Virginia, is unlike anywhere else on the East Coast. Wild ponies roam freely along the shoreline and through the dunes. The landscape feels untouched. The light in the late afternoon is extraordinary.
It’s not the most convenient shoot location (permit-free beach access requires some planning), but for couples who want something genuinely different, it’s worth every bit of the effort.
→ Assateague Island National Seashore
The Chesapeake Bay
The Bay is less “beach” and more waterfront, but the light, the texture, and the quieter atmosphere make it one of my favorites for engagement sessions that feel intimate rather than dramatic. The Great Chesapeake Bay Loop is a beautiful spot for walking portraits, and the mix of open-water views and wooded edges gives you real variety in a single session.
It also photographs differently depending on the season, which I love. Soft and golden in the fall. Misty and moody in early spring.
Calvert Cliffs State Park
This one surprises people. Calvert Cliffs isn’t a typical beach; it’s a stretch of rugged shoreline at the base of dramatic exposed cliffs, where fossils from prehistoric sharks and marine animals are literally embedded in the rock face. The landscape is striking in a way that almost nothing else in Maryland is.
The hike is about 1.8 miles each way, which means fewer people and a much more secluded feel once you get there. Plan extra time and wear comfortable shoes.
Note: $5 parking fee applies.
Maryland’s coastline has real range, from the boardwalk energy of Ocean City to the wild stillness of Assateague. If you’re planning an engagement session near the water and want a photographer who knows these locations well, I’d love to help you pick the right spot for your session.
→ Fill out my contact form to get started
For more Maryland engagement locations beyond the water, check out this guide to outdoor engagement spots in Maryland.
