Stunning shots of East Coast beaches

Professional photographer Gray Malin has family roots in Martha's Vineyard. "My grandparents owned a house in Edgartown and my dad and his four brothers have endless stories growing up going to The Vineyard," he recently wrote on his blog.

This summer, he was able to combine family time and work, exploring Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard both on land and from the skies. Ahead, see Malin's gorgeous photos and his recommendations for where to eat and stay on the islands.

"Aquinnah Beach is famous for the red cliffs and beach, this a must see in [my opinion]," Malin wrote on his blog.
 

Aquinnah is on the south side of Martha's Vineyard, and its red-colored clay cliffs are under special environmental protections. Taking a piece of the clay home is prohibited.
 

When it comes to seafood in Martha's Vineyard, the options are plentiful. Malin suggests The Bite if you're in the mood for clams. "This legendary clam shack has tremendous fried oysters and clams," he wrote on his blog.
 

Although it's a constant contest for the number-one spot, Malin casts his vote for best lobster roll at the Offshore Ale Co. "This is obviously a heated debate but I have to say I really enjoyed my lobster roll here and it went down quite nicely with a cold [beer]," he wrote.
 

As for accommodations, Malin highly recommends The Harbor View Hotel. "This beautiful hotel looks over the lighthouse and has a wrap-around porch that is perfect for sipping Bloody Marys on rainy days," he wrote.
 

Malin also suggests The Beach Plum. "Set on a hill overlooking the Menemsha harbor, this quaint 19th-century inn is a seven minute walk from the Menemsha village," he wrote.
 

When it comes to making his work, Malin is attracted to the shapes he sees in the landscape. "I am attracted to repetition, shape, and form," Malin told Business Insider. "For me, the beach is a blank canvas made of interesting objects that, with careful eye, can be framed to make beautiful art."
 

"It is an incredible feeling when you are up in the sky seeing such beautiful landscapes come to life inside ​the lens," Malin said. "It is easy to forget that you're leaning from a shaking helicopter."
 

Photographing from a helicopter isn't easy. The wind can be intense, and he has to simultaneously direct the pilot while shooting.
 

But for these kind of photos, the work is worth it. "Overall I was really blown away by this beautiful slice of Americana," Malin wrote on his blog.

Source  Gray Malin, Businessinsider