How to Photograph Pink Beaches Like a Pro (And Look Amazing Doing It!)

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Pink sand beaches aren’t just rare—they’re ridiculously magical. With their cotton-candy sands and turquoise waves, they look like something out of a fairytale. 

Gonna be honest, you couldn’t even convince me that they are real unless I saw one with my own eyes!

But here’s the thing: pink sand beaches can be tricky to photograph and even harder to edit. Sometimes the color doesn’t pop the way it does in person, and the lighting can throw things off fast. 

That’s why this pink beach photography guide is here to save the day (and your shots).

As a full-time travel photographer and mermaid (literally🧜🏻‍♀️), my mission is to help you take better photos while traveling – no matter your gear or experience level. 

Whether you’re snapping on an iPhone or hauling around a DSLR, this guide will help you capture that pink sand magic like a pro.

Inspired? Share Your Photos!

What Makes a Beach Pink (and Why It Matters for Photography)

The blush tones you see are typically caused by a mix of white sand and microscopic marine organisms (foraminifera), crushed coral, or minerals. 

The result? A rosy hue that can range from pale pastel to hot pink depending on lighting, time of day, and location.

Understanding the source of the color helps you

• Know when the pink will be most visible (usually when it’s dry)
• Choose angles that enhance the contrast between pink sand and blue sea
• Avoid editing mistakes that make the sand look orange or weirdly red

When To PHotograph Pink Sand

This answer depends on what you are going for as a photographer.

Personally, I found that the pink in the sand popped the best on cloudless, sunny days. I aimed for midday when the sun was high in the sky!

However, if you are going for that “dreamy fairytale” vibe and you have a camera and a tripod, I would go for golden hour.

Bucket List-Worthy Pink Sand Beaches to Photograph

Get your passport ready—here are a few top-tier sandy blush beauties to plan your next shoot:

1. Komodo Island and Lombok, Indonesia – Blush pink tones with turquoise water. Remote and pristine. Not gonna lie, I think Pantai Merah is my favorite beach in the entire world!
   • Book a Tour!
2. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – A classic. Accessible, popular, and vibrant. Would highly recommend exploring past the tourist areas!
   • Book a Tour!
3. Elafonissi Beach, Greece – Stunning tide pools and light pink sands. Best at sunset.
   • Book a Tour!
4. Great Santa Cruz Island, Philippines – Pink from crushed red coral. Remote, needs permits to visit.
   • Book a Tour!
5. Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas – Soft hues, luxurious vibes, and beautiful water color. Plus, most of the time you can combine it with swimming with pigs!
   • Book a Tour!

✈️ Travel Tip: Always research rules and preservation policies before planning a shoot. These places are gorgeous because they’re protected—tread lightly and respectfully.

Is the Pink Sand Actually Pink?

A Warning About Pink Sand Beaches

Let’s get one thing clear – because we’re all about authenticity and transparency here at The Bucket List Mermaid. 

You might see all of these overly edited pictures on Facebook and think, “Wow! That looks unreal!” 

…that’s because it is unreal. 

In reality, pink sand beaches aren’t dramatic. They are subtle. In fact, it might just look like an ordinary white sand beach from far away. 

When you grab some sand and take a closer look, that’s when you see all of the pink magic. 

Want to see pink sand with no filter? Check out this video I got in Bermuda!

Does this make it any less beautiful? Absolutely not! However, you might need to adjust your expectations slightly…and your editing skills.

Below is the same picture of me in my mermaid tail: one raw and the other is heavily edited👇

Best Camera Settings for Pink Sand Beach Photography

Now let’s dive into the good stuff: how to photograph pink beaches with the right camera settings.

Shoot in Manual Mode or Aperture Priority

This gives you control over depth of field and exposure—key when you’re balancing bright skies and reflective water.

This is where my travel photography cheat sheet will come in handy!

ISO

Keep it low (100-200) to avoid noise in those bright conditions.

Unless you are photographing at golden hour, this shouldn’t be an issue keeping the ISO low.

Aperture

• f/2.8 – f/5.6 for dreamy portraits with a blurred background
• f/8 – f/11 for crisp, sweeping landscapes

Personally, I found that I preferred shooting in a higher f-stop to capture all of the little details.

Shutter Speed

• Fast (1/500s or higher) to freeze movement (waves, twirls, jumps)
• Slower (1/60s – 1/125s) with a tripod to capture motion blur (flowing water)

White Balance

Cloudy or Shade mode enhances the warm tones of the sand. Or go custom for extra precision.

💡Pro Tip: Use a polarizing filter to cut glare and boost contrast—this makes the pinks and blues pop. I always prefer to take some with and without the polarizing filter just in case. 

Must-Have Gear for a Pink Beach Photoshoot

Best Cameras for Pink Beach Photography

Bringing a full DSLR or mirrorless camera lets you capture every dreamy detail of the pink sand and turquoise waves in razor-sharp resolution, giving you total creative control over lighting, color, and depth that phone cameras just can’t match.

DSLR or Mirrorless

• Nothing beats a good old fashioned camera.
• Not as user friendly but the best control you will get, especially on manual mode!
• The Cons: Be careful! Expensive cameras + sand + water = an ugly combo. 
• Secure them tightly! You don’t want them to go “missing” when you are playing in the water. 

MY Cameras

I use a Canon EOS m50 mark ii (semi-professional, lightweight, and great for vlogging) and a Canon 5D mark iv (professional, heavier, a powerhouse travel camera).

I would recommend either choosing Canon, Sony, or Nikon and then sticking with it.

Best Lenses for Beach Photography

• 24-70mm or 35mm for versatility
  • I would focus on a lens that is made for landscape travel photography.
• Ultra-Wide Framing = Epic Vibes
  This lens lets you capture those sweeping beachscapes, towering cliffs, dramatic skies, and lush jungles all in one frame.
• Unless you are wanted to photograph details in the sand, leave the telephoto lens back on the boat. 

Drones

If you’re not flying a drone over that bubblegum sand meeting turquoise waves… are you even pink-beaching?

Just kidding…however, it does make for some EPIC perspectives! 

Arial beach drone footage is epic, but make sure to read all regulations, required permits, and rules!

Drone Tips for Pink Beach Photography

• Get creative with your shots
• Use top-down shots for maximum contrast
• Keep an eye on wind speed (sand/water + drones = potential disaster)

Top Picks

I prefer anything DJI for drones, but they can be expensive and hard to use. The quality is top-notch though!

However, if you don’t want an expensive drone and don’t want to learn how to fly it, HOVERair has revolutionized how I take drone footage. It’s portable, user friendly, and cheaper than other drone alternatives.

Action Cameras

Insta360

These little cameras are basically magic wands. The Insta360 lets you shoot everything around you, then choose your angle later. Yes, after the fact. Pure wizardry.

• Perfect for solo travelers (follow-cam mode makes it look like someone’s filming you)
• Fun for twirls, water splashes, and walk-bys
• Great for both photo and video content

If you use 👉this link👈 to buy an Insta360, you can snag a free accessory, like a selfie stick!

GoPros & Other Action Cams

I absolutely love these action cameras, like the GoPro, because they are built to get wet (sorry, standard cameras, but you get outshined in this department…)

• Waterproof = no fear of wet sand or rogue waves
• Great for POV shots, especially in or under water
• Super durable and portable

You can see my GoPro Hero 9 in action underwater with my tail👇

Smartphones

You don’t need a fancy DSLR to get jaw-dropping pink sand beach pics—your phone is a powerhouse when you know how to work it! 

Whether you’re team iPhone or Android, here’s how to make the most of that tiny camera in your pocket.

1. Clean Your Lens (Seriously!)
   • Sunscreen smudges, salt spray, and pocket lint are your camera’s worst enemies. Give that lens a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth (or your shirt in a pinch).
2. Turn on the Gridlines
   • This helps you nail the rule of thirds and keep your horizons level—because no one wants a tipsy ocean.
3. Use RAW Mode (if available)
   • Newer phones (like iPhones with ProRAW or Androids with Pro mode) let you shoot in RAW. It gives you waaay more flexibility when editing, especially with tricky colors like pink sand.
4. Lock Focus and Exposure
   • Tap and hold on your subject to lock focus and slide your finger up/down to adjust exposure. No more overblown skies or underexposed faces.
5. Use Portrait Mode (with Caution)
   • Great for isolating subjects, but it can blur the edges weirdly. Always double-check the background blur before posting.

Other Accessories

• Polarizing or ND filters
• Tripod (if you plan on long exposure shots, shots at golden hour, or you are solo)
• Microfiber cloths
• Dry bag
• Extra batteries and SD cards

For all of my travel and adventure photography recommendations, check out my Amazon Storefront!

How to Take Stunning Beach Photos on Pink Beaches

Play With Angles – Shoot low to emphasize the sand texture and color. Stand back and include layers (sand, water, sky) for depth.

Use Leading Lines and Negative Space – Let footprints in the sand, wave patterns, or shadows guide the eye.

Reflections & Textures – Look for tide pools and wet sand for reflective shots. Zoom in on footprints, shells, and grains for artsy macro shots.

Get Creative – Try underexposing slightly to capture color better. Use your drone for sweeping aerials of pink hues meeting aqua waves.

How to Pose for a Pink Sand Beach Photoshoot

Want that perfect “look at me frolicking in paradise” vibe? Here’s how to make your pink beach photoshoot sparkle:

General Posing Tips

Go with Movement

• Twirl your dress, toss your hair, walk along the shore.
• Play with the wind! Flowy fabrics are your best friend.

Use Levels and Layers

• Sit, stand, kneel, or even lie down.
• Frame yourself using natural elements like driftwood, rocks, or waves.

Create Connection

• Laugh, look back over your shoulder, close your eyes and smile.
• Touch the water, gather sand, or interact with a prop.

Dynamic Poses to Try

• Look over your shoulder walking away from the camera
• Kneeling in the sand with hands trailing through it
• Mid-jump or twirl for whimsical energy
• Lying back with arms above your head, feet pointed toward camera
• Cross-legged with chin resting on hand, dreamy gaze

Use Props

• Beach hats, parasols, or giant floaties
• Shells or coral pieces (just don’t remove them from the beach!)
• Sarongs, sheer scarves, or a mirror for creative effects

💡Pro Tip: Take wide shots, close-ups, and in-betweens. More variety = more storytelling.

How to Pose Solo (Without the Awkwardness)

Traveling solo but still want to get those epic pink sand beach photography shots? You got this. Here’s how to become your own beach model:

1. Use a Tripod and Remote Shutter
   • Set up a tripod (or a mini tripod) and a Bluetooth remote or your camera’s self-timer with burst mode. This lets you move naturally and capture action.
2. Plan Your Poses in Advance
   • Look at Pinterest or Instagram for inspiration and practice a few poses ahead of time so you’re not scrambling in the sand.
3. Use Movement to Your Advantage
   • Walking, spinning, adjusting your hair—these create natural-looking shots and help you avoid stiff or posed vibes.
4. Find Focal Points
   • Use rocks, driftwood, beach bags, or towels to sit or lean on. It gives your body something to interact with and adds storytelling to your photo.
5. Embrace Repetition
   • Take a bunch of photos with tiny variations. Small shifts in posture, chin tilt, or hand placement can make a big difference.
6. Don’t Forget Facial Expressions
   • Try smiling, looking off into the distance, gazing at the ocean, or even laughing. These feel less forced than staring straight into the lens.

Pose Ideas with Friends

• Walk in a line holding hands
• Splash each other playfully
• Laugh and lean on one another for natural moments
• Group jump
• Running into the waves
• Group huddle
• Circle of friendship (bonus points if it’s above with a drone)

Pose Ideas for Couples

• Walk hand-in-hand on the shore line for a candid moment
• Romantic dip
• Sitting side-by-side laughing
• Piggyback ride
• Kiss under the waves
• The “lift & spin”

Best Colors to Wear in Pink Sand Beach Photos

Top Color Choices

• White – clean, classic, beachy
• Teal or Turquoise – contrasts beautifully with pink
• Coral or Soft Peach – monochromatic but styled
• Mustard Yellow – earthy contrast
• Soft Neutrals (beige, sand) – timeless and elegant

You will notice that in all of pink beach photography shots that I am wearing mermaid tails that are teal. I did this on purpose to compliment the pink and boost the turquoise colors in the water. Did it work?

Colors to Avoid

• Bright neon (distracts from natural hues)
• Too much pink or conflicting pink (you want to compliment it, not blend in or compete with it)

Fabrics

• Flowy dresses, linen shirts, lace coverups
• Sheer textures catch the light beautifully

💡Pro Tip: Bring outfit changes! A swimsuit, a coverup, and one wow-dress or beachy jumpsuit.

Editing Pink Sand Beach Photos in Lightroom (Make Those Pinks Pop!)

Okay, you’ve your pink beach photography—yay! Now it’s time to take that sandy masterpiece from “pretty” to “OMG did you paint that?!” with a little Lightroom magic. 

The Challenges of Editing Pink Sand Beach Photos

Not gonna lie, you will most likely need to edit the photos to make the pink sand stand out a little more. As I mentioned, the pink is subtle.

The key here is to find your style and make the pinks pop without going overboard.

The other issue here is, depending on your skin tone, if you make the pinks pop, you also bring out the pinks in your skin.

So, here’s how to turn your pink sand beach pics into pure cotton candy dreams without turning yourself into a sunburned Oompa Loompa.

Note that you can use whatever editing program you want. I just prefer Lightroom because it gives me a lot of control with my editing. 

Start with the Basics

Before diving into color tweaks, get your foundations right:

• Exposure: Adjust so the image is evenly lit. If you shot slightly underexposed (which I recommend), bring it up slowly until the details shine.
• Contrast: Bump it just a touch to give the image dimension.
• Highlights & Shadows: Pull down highlights to reclaim sky detail, lift shadows to reveal beachy textures (like those pink ripples!).

The Color Magic: HSL Sliders (aka Your Secret Sauce)

The HSL Panel (Hue, Saturation, Luminance) is your pink beach BFF. This is where the magic really happens.

Pinks and Reds

Most of the pink in the sand will live in these two sliders:

• Hue: Slide pinks slightly toward red if they’re too purple, or toward orange if they look too magenta.
• Saturation: Boost both pinks and reds slightly—but not so much that it looks radioactive.
• Luminance: Increasing luminance brightens the pink sand and gives it that soft, airy glow.

Blues and Aquas

The water wants in on the fun too! Plus, the turquoise water is a fabulous contrast with that blush pink!

• Hue: Nudge aqua toward teal for those tropical water vibes.
• Saturation: Dial it up a little to make the sea pop.
• Luminance: Increase slightly to make the water shimmer.

Local Adjustments: Target That Pink Sand

To avoid accidentally turning everything pink, use these selective tools:

• Brush Tool / Masking Tool
  Paint over just the sand and apply enhancements only there.
  • Increase Saturation and Luminance
  • Tweak Temperature slightly warmer for a golden hour feel
  • Play with Texture to bring out grain detail without over-sharpening
• Radial Filters: Create a soft spotlight effect on key areas (like footprints or shells) to guide the viewer’s eye.

Keep Skin Tones in Check

The danger of going full flamingo? Turning people into lobsters 🦞. This was a major problem for me because I am super pale with pink undertones. 

Here’s how I fixed it

• Use a mask for people and lower reds/oranges if needed.
• Use the Color Range mask tool (Lightroom AI, bless it) to isolate skin tones and protect them from global pink boosts.

Bonus Tweaks for the Magic Touch

• White Balance: If things look too cool or clinical, warm it up a smidge for that dreamy island vibe.
• Tone Curve: Add a subtle S-curve to boost contrast without flattening the image.
• Color Grading: For advanced editors—add a hint of peach to highlights or pink to midtones for an ethereal glow.

Save Your Pink Sand Beach Preset

Once you’ve dialed in that perfect pink beach edit, save it as a preset! Name it something fun like “Pink Sand Perfection” and use it as a base for other shots to keep it consistent. 

Conclusion: Bring the Pink Beach Magic to Life

There you have it—your ultimate pink sand beach photography guide to make your next seaside adventure Instagram-worthy and portfolio-ready. 

From camera settings to color coordination, and editing tips to beach recs, you’re now armed with everything you need to turn that cotton-candy coastline into visual gold.

Ready to capture the magic? I’d love to see your pink beach masterpieces. Tag me @TheBucketListMermaid on Instagram and let’s spread the sandy, rosy love together!

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