A collection of the most interesting objects I came across on the beach this year. I live close enough to walk to the beach, so I spend a lot of time wandering the shoreline and beachcombing for shells, sea glass, driftwood, and other interesting finds. Along the way I always end up spotting odd and unexpected objects mixed in with the sand and seaweed. Some of them are funny, some feel a little strange, and some are just plain puzzling, but they all make me pause and look twice. I started photographing these unusual beach finds last year (click here to see last year’s post) as a way to document them and remind myself of the stories they might carry. It always makes me wonder where each item came from. Was it left behind after a day at the beach, carried in by the waves from somewhere far away, or pulled out to sea during a storm and returned again? I will probably never know, but the mystery is part of why I love noticing and capturing them. Here are some interesting found objects from my walks on the beach over the past year. My Strangest Beachcombing Finds of 2025 I’ve never found a propeller on the beach before, so this one definitely made the my of strangest things I came across while beachcombing this year. Maybe it came from a small watercraft, although I’d hope they usually use metal instead of plastic. This was probably my weirdest find of the year, a dinosaur mask washed in with the tide. I can’t imagine the story behind how it ended up in the ocean in the first place. This was a new one for me, a lightbulb on the beach. I can’t help wondering about its story and how it ended up here, whether from careless dumping or from storm damage somewhere along the coast. I’m surprised the bulb wasn’t broken even though it looks like it’s been in the water a while. I had no idea what this was at first and ended up doing an image search. I wondered if it was some kind of deep-sea plant, but it turns out it’s an Osage orange (also called a hedge apple) that actually grows on trees, not in the ocean. How it wound up washed onto the beach is still a mystery, especially since I’ve never seen them growing anywhere around here. Related: Best of Beachcombing: My Favorite Shells, Sea Glass, and Beach Pottery Finds I did a little research and learned this is a Big Turbo Wheels police truck. I found it in winter, so it had probably been in the water for quite a while before washing ashore. Finding a ball on the beach isn’t unusual. Finding this many in one day is. These four were part of at least thirty sports balls washed up in just the small stretch of beach I walked that day. I still can’t make sense of why so many appeared at once. I found a shocking number of plastic Easter eggs again this year. I’m not sure how they all end up in the ocean, but seeing so many washed up has completely changed how I think about them. Related: 6 Beautiful Beach Sunset Color Palettes This baseball cap brim really took me by surprise. I often see forgotten clothing and stray shoes on the beach, but never just a brim. It must have been in the water a long time for it to separate from the rest of the hat. I really enjoyed gathering these unusual beach finds over the past year. Whenever something unexpected caught my eye while I was walking, I snapped a photo and saved it for this project. I ended up with far more than I could reasonably include here, so this is just a selection of some favorites. I also take part in several organized beach cleanups each year and do many on my own, so a lot of the objects you see in these photos were removed from the shoreline rather than left behind. All photos in this blog post are my original photography. Feel free to repost them uncropped, but please credit me with a link back to this blog. Thank you! Save This Beachcombing Photography of Unusual Found Objects Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to the photographs in this collection of unusual beachcombing finds. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Pinterest and on Instagram for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration. Photography: The strangest things I found while beachcombing in 2025 Have you found an unusual object on the beach? Share your strangest beachcombing finds in the comments.

A photo journal of the coastal landscape in January in the Northeast. January brought numerous snowstorms, and I couldn’t keep myself from taking a winter beach walk despite how cold it was. Blanketed in snow, the beach is peaceful and also mysterious. It felt so far from summer days, but also served as a quiet reminder that the ocean’s beauty doesn’t depend on warmth or summer crowds. The beach is beautiful in all seasons. Despite the below-freezing temperatures, I bundled up and headed down the path to the beach, trudging through the snow. But I wasn’t the first one to step onto the beach after the storm, for in front of me was a collection of deer prints — signs of life across the vacant landscape. It was so cold that the water had frozen in the more shallow areas, and waves were freezing as they lapped the shore. With the wind chill, the temperature must’ve felt in the single digits. Despite my hands going numb, I was able to snap some photos with the help of touchscreen gloves. The beach in winter feels both familiar and unexpected. Here are some snapshots from a winter beach walk that I took after a snowstorm in January. Winter beach walk photos 1. My first view of the beach as I reached the top of the beach path. The sea looked extra blue against the snow. 2. Looking across the frozen water of a more shallow inlet to a snow-covered beach. The water is frozen in a beautiful blue. 3. A close-up of more icy frozen water. I can’t remember the last time that I saw the water freeze like this. Related: How to Make the Most of Winter When You’re a Summer Person 4. It was so cool to see the waves freezing as they reached the snow on the beach. The tide was coming in. 5. It was interesting to see how the snow had gathered on the beach grass. Related: Best of Beachcombing: My Favorite Shells, Sea Glass, and Beach Pottery Finds Winter at the beach is something that most people don’t have the opportunity to see. Unless you live near the coast, chances are you aren’t making a trip to the beach during the winter months, instead visiting during the warm summer months when you can enjoy the best of what the beach has to offer. There’s beauty to be found at the beach any time of year, including in the middle of January after a snowstorm. Although almost guaranteed to be empty, the beach in winter shows us that there is still life and movement all around. With deer tracks in the snow, seagulls flying overhead, and the never-ending coming and going of the waves, it almost feels as if this quiet season allows the coastline to restore itself after working so hard to bring us joy during the rest of the year. I hope you’ve enjoyed my winter beach walk photo journal and that it offers a new perspective and appreciation for the coastal landscape during the coldest season. All photos in this blog post are my original photography. Feel free to repost them uncropped, but please credit me with a link back to this blog. Thank you! Save This Winter Beach Walk Photo Journal to Refer Back To Pin this graphic on Pinterest, or bookmark this page, so you can continue to refer back to the photographs in this winter beach walk photo journal. And don’t forget to follow Stars & Anchor on Instagram and on Pinterest for more coastal lifestyle and beach inspiration. Photo Journal: A Winter Beach Walk Which of these winter beach photos is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Use these tips to improve your pet photography skills in no time. Table of Contents: Have you ever tried to take a great photo of your pet, but are disappointed with how it turned out? The lighting is too dark or the flash is harsh, they blinked or aren’t looking at the camera, or they just won’t stay still? This used to happen to me all the time, until I figured out how to take amazing pet photos. It may seem nearly impossible to take a good photo of your pet, but with these few simple tips, anyone can improve their pet photography skills, even if the only camera you have is the one on your iPhone or Android phone.  After all, it’s so important to preserve memories with your dog or cat (or other pet!). Our pets are a part of our family, and capturing everyday moments helps us to be able to hold on to these memories for years to come. It’s also enjoyable to be able to look back on your pet photos during their different life stages, like looking back on puppy photos now that your dog is an adult. Another reason for wanting to take great cat and dog photos is for sharing them with family and friends. You can share your photos through text messages, or post them on social media with a funny or cute caption.  Follow these easy tips to improve your pet photography skills. How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog or Cat on Your Phone Whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, these tips will help you to take better photos of your pets! 1. Use natural lighting As advanced as phone cameras have become, they’re still not great with dim lighting or indoor lights. Whenever possible, use bright natural light, which you can get during the day near a window or by going outdoors. Make sure your pet is facing the source of the light, not creating a shadow on their face. Try to avoid using a flash unless absolutely necessary in the dark, as it can create harsh shadows, glowing eyes, or even scare your pet. 2. Keep the background simple When taking a pet portrait, multi-colored or cluttered backgrounds can be distracting and take away the focus from your pet. If possible, try for solid backgrounds like a wall or couch cushion, or backgrounds that have all similar colors, like grass and trees. Of course, if it’s a special moment, snap away, because you don’t want to be so concerned with finding the perfect background that you miss the entire photo opportunity. 3. Tap to focus The phone camera uses auto focus, and it doesn’t always get it quite right. But you can direct the focus by tapping on the screen in the place you want the camera to focus, which is usually on your pet’s eyes. You can also try experimenting with your phone camera’s portrait mode. If you can get your pet to stay still long enough, portrait mode can take beautiful photos of your dog, cat, or other pet. It will focus on where you tap, and soften or blur the rest. 4. Get down on their level You can really capture your pet when you get down at their level, rather than taking every photo from above. You can also experiment with different angles for variety. Related: The Best Dog Quotes About the Love We Share With Our Pets 5. Grab their attention by holding a toy or a treat A trick to getting your pet to look at the camera is to hold a favorite toy or treat near the camera. It will help to hold their attention long enough to snap your photo. Don’t forget to reward them afterwards for their attention! 6. Take numerous photos rapidly I always think I captured a great photo, only to see that my dog blinked or momentarily looked away when I took it! By hitting the shutter button numerous times, you’ll increase your chances of catching a winner, and you can delete the extras that you don’t need. 7. Capture your pet’s personality In addition to having nice sitting portraits of your dog or cat, you should try to photograph them in a way that captures their personality. What unique traits or quirks do they have? What’s their favorite activity, favorite toy, or favorite sleeping position? Does your dog love grabbing a toy and doing a play bow, or does your cat love rolling on the floor? Let their natural behaviors shine through in your photographs. 8. Be patient Sometimes it takes time to get your pet to cooperate. If they aren’t in the right mood, try again later. If your pup is too full of energy to stay still long enough for a nice photo, switch to taking a video. Then when you play it back, you can pause it and take a screenshot picture. You might even end up with a hilarious action shot! This isn’t always perfect, as sometimes it’s difficult to pause the video in a way that looks fully in focus, but it’s a good backup plan and it’s nice to have the videos to look back on. By keeping these few tips in mind, you’ll be taking cute dog photos and funny cat photos in no time! Keep practicing and experimenting, and before you know it, these phone photography tips will come naturally to you and you won’t have to even think about it.  Once you’ve taken some great pet photos, don’t forget to print and frame some of them! Photos aren’t meant to be lost on our camera rolls, they should be displayed in our homes so they can bring us joy whenever we see them. For some great beach-inspired picture frame ideas, check out this post. Related: From Valentine’s to New Year’s: 102 Year-Round Dog Instagram Captions to Celebrate Every Holiday with Your Pup Save These Tips for Taking Better Photos of […]

If you’re looking for content ideas for photographers to post on your social media account or photography blog, here are 50 great ideas to help you engage your audience. As a professional photographer running an Instagram account or blog for your business, you might find yourself wondering, “what content should I post for my photography business?”  Having engaging photography content ideas are important for your business because engaging content can help you get the attention of potential clients and turn them into paying clients. It also helps to give you authority as a photographer, showing you’re knowledgable, experienced, and confident in your business. So having engaging photography blog content and Instagram (or other social media) posts is like free advertising that can help you grow your business. It can feel challenging to constantly come up with new and exciting photography content ideas, so we’re sharing 50 great ideas that professional photographers can be inspired by to create interesting Instagram and blog content. For Instagram, most of these ideas can be written as captions paired with a great photograph from your portfolio, although some could work as a visual graphic with text as the image, like if you’re running a promotion and want to make sure people see it while they’re scrolling through their feeds. For photography blog posts, you can write to these topics in a longer format and include photos throughout. Whether you’re using this list for photography Instagram post ideas, photography blog post ideas, to find general social media content ideas for photographers, or all of the above, remember to conclude with a call-to-action that encourages readers to book your service, subscribe to your newsletter, follow your account, or another desirable action. This will help get more eyes on your future content, which will help to grow your business. If you’re a portrait photographer, wedding photographer, lifestyle photographer, pet photographer, editorial photographer, or travel photographer, these photography content ideas should inspire you to create new blog posts and social media posts that will engage your audience and gain followers and customers who are interested in seeing more. Elevate your photography game with these awesome blog and social media content ideas for photographers! 50 Blog and Social Media Content Ideas for Photographers  1. Share your Business Mission. 2. Show the behind the scenes of your photo studio. This is one of the best content ideas for photographers, because it can really capture the attention of your audience. People tend to feel connected with what they interpret as “real life,” and showing a behind the scenes of your workspace gives them the exclusive feeling of peeking into your real life as a photographer. 3. Introduce yourself. 4. Share how you started your business. 5. Explain why someone should have professional photos taken.  6. Describe what to look for when choosing a photographer.  7. Give recommendations for how to choose what to wear when being photographed. 8. Share photos from a recent photo shoot.  9. Explain the different occasions you recommended hiring a professional photographer for vs. taking your own photos.  10. Share your pre-photo session routine or preparation.  11. Show the before and after of an edited photo from one of your photo shoots. 12. Give ideas for what customers can do with the photos taken at their photo session. Ideas like placing them in a photo frame or photo album, giving photos as gifts to family members, posting them on their social media, etc. 13. Share your business journey since you first began.  14. Give a sneak peek at a recent shoot you’re still editing.  15. Show some of the equipment and tools you use in your photography business. 16. Share a beautiful photo you’ve taken of your pet. Share a little about your pet and what makes them an interesting subject to photograph. 17. Encourage followers to sign up for your newsletter and say what the benefit of doing so will be. 18. Share a sale or promotion you’re running for your photography business. 19. Give tips for looking natural when having your photograph taken. 20. Feature a positive review of your services. Related: Small Business Tips: The Best Websites to Get Free Fonts for Commercial Use 21. Share photographs of your favorite place you’ve traveled to. 22. Share 3 tips for how to take better photos with your phone. 23. Do a Q&A about what it’s like to be a photographer and about your photography business. 24. Share a “day in the life” of a professional photographer.  What does your typical day look like when you’re working, start to finish? Share the most interesting parts. 25. Thank your followers for their support of you and your business. 26. Share your favorite photography hack. 27. Tell the story of a comically bad photo shoot moment and how you resolved it. 28. Share what your first professional gig was. 29. Explain how you got interested in photography.  Sharing this helps you to connect with your audience on a more personal level, making it one of the great content ideas for photographers. 30. Share some of the different photo shoot locations or backdrops your customers can choose from. 31. Share your top 5 outdoor locations for photo shoots. 32. Highlight the packages you offer. 33. Give suggestions for what to bring to your photo session. Things like outfit changes, props, a must-shoot list, etc. 34. Share a photograph you’ve taken and explain what you like about it. 35. Describe the benefits of having a photo session during different times of day, and how to choose.  36. Explain what happens if it’s raining the day of your scheduled photo session when you were planning to shoot outdoors. Share alternate options for photo shoot locations, or creative ways to shoot in the rain, like using umbrellas. Or, if you have a rain policy that includes rescheduling for a different day, explain that policy. 37. Share what a client can expect once they’ve booked a session with you. Touch on things like […]