Finding Unexpected Beauty: Wildflowers in the Avon Dunes
When you think of the beach, you don't necessarily think about wildflowers. But each summer, the dunes near our beach house on Hatteras Island come alive with wild ornamental sweet potato vines. The vines weave through the dune grasses, fences, trees, and pathways, brightening the neutral sands with vibrant purple flowers.
On this particular morning, I had gone down to the Avon Fishing Pier to watch the sunrise. On my way back to the truck, I noticed the vines twisted tightly into the old wooden dune fence and immediately stopped in my tracks. While it's always incredible to find the beauty that we purposely set out seeking, sometimes it's the unexpected beauty that surprises us on the walk back which feels the most rewarding.
Fine art photography on the coast isn't about chasing grand landmarks; it's about training your eye to notice these subtle layers.
Field Notes: Behind the Lens in Avon
If you want to pull off to explore the beaches near the Avon Fishing Pier, take a few extra minutes to look closely at the dune lines right behind the parking lot along Highway 12. Most visitors walk right past them on their way to the surf, but the textures hidden in the dune grasses are beautiful.
When you're photographing delicate elements like wildflowers or morning glory vines in bright coastal environments, it helps to slow down your visual practice. I look for the ribbed patterns left behind in the sand by a receding tide, or the way the early sun catches the weathered texture of old wood. Dropping your perspective low to the sand helps isolate the flowers against the sky or follow the clean leading lines of a fence row.
Most of our daily photography is fragmented. We snap a photo here and there, treating each frame as an isolated event. But the real magic happens when you learn to see the bigger picture. If you love shooting along the coast and want to spend a week out on the beach with me, I'd love to invite you to join us around the table at The Saltwater Retreat. It’s a small, all-inclusive photography getaway on Hatteras Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Can't make it to the beach this fall? We can still work together online. I offer 1-on-1 virtual mentoring sessions where we can dive deep into your unique creative vision, look over your portfolio, and find your visual style from anywhere. You can check out all the details and book a virtual session here.
