Location Spotlight: Bella Bella Beach (DeMolay Sandspit Reserve) 
on Fox Island 
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This unique rocky-beach sandspit is the place to go for sunset photos in Gig Harbor. But even better, it's one of the few locations that works best any time of the day, as long as I can put the sun at your back. The best part: the stunning driftwood! It's a photographer's dream land! And the whimsical tall sea grass looks cool at any time of the year. 

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When it works: any time of the day! As long as I can put the sun at your back, which is anytime because of the sandspit formation. We will walk to the end so as not to have as many houses in the background. 

I offer 30 minute sessions here on weekend mornings before noon, and weeknights 3 hours before sunset. 

If you want a sunset session, see below.

Pros: works almost any time of day, it has fantastic driftwood, great for candids of kids climbing driftwood and throwing pebbles in the water. Works well for both low and high tides. On clear days, it is possible to get Mt Rainier in the background. Works well for both 30 and 60 minute sessions. (30 min sessions, AM times only, or weekday evenings) For 60 minute shoots, we would also have time for some photos in the small woodsy path area. 

Cons: The number 1 con is the wind: I don't like shooting in wind over 7 knows because you will hate your hair in every photo. It is hard to find a still day between late Oct and May. If you book a date, I will be in close contact about the wind forecast, which are accurate about 12 hours before. If it's bad, we can reschedule at no extra cost. 

Also, it's a short but steep walk down to the beach, so not easy for those less abled. For senior portraits, there is only a small port-a-potty to change outfits, so we would have to bring blankets to make a make-shift changing area. There is no shade, so getting really good shots can be tricky on super bright sunny days. 

NEW Spring 2025: The park dept is doing grass restoration on the sandspit, so there is now a small fence blocking off much of it. Many of my favorite backgrounds below aren't possible any more without having a fence in the background. Please see these whole albums for what is now available for backgrounds:

Overcast day, May

sunny mid-morning

maternity late winter mid-morning

senior sunset session. 

SUMMER 2026: This location is closing mid-summer for the last of its big remodels. Kopachuck is a good alternative for a beach shoot in summer/fall 2026

Modern edit, 10am-noon:

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Classic Edit, 10am-noon: 

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Bonus for longer sessions or if we have time in a 30 min session: there is a small woods section near the parking lot: 

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Beach Sunset Sessions:

Sunsets are fickle things in the great NW! There is constant wind and cloud monitoring to start at the right time, and they usually get rescheduled at least once because of the weather. My record was 5 times, but they are amazing shoots and worth the effort! Sunset shoots usually take 45 minutes, starting 30 mins before the sun sets, and going 15 minutes into "blue hour." Best on weekdays (fewer crowds!) May-Sept. $550 for 20 edited images. Here is a full example gallery: https://www.corareuterphotography.com/p513157189?customize=3

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These were taken 30 minutes before sunset in late August (they chose a darker modern edit).

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Modern edit, sunset in Sept 
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