What image inspired the Outer Banks story that leads into its fifth season?

A photo of teenagers on a beach at dusk inspired the Outer Banks story that leads into Season 5.

The creators explained that the idea began when they encountered an image of teenagers on a beach during a power outage. That visual inspired a story about four best friends who wanted to have a good time, eventually developing into a mystery involving treasure, friendship, and danger.

Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke later described the concept as a five-season journey. The fifth season therefore represents the planned conclusion of an idea that began with a simple image rather than with an existing novel or franchise.

The origin story is sometimes reduced to the show being inspired by the real Outer Banks of North Carolina. The series uses that coastal setting in its premise, but the creators specifically identified the photograph of teenagers at dusk as the spark for the fictional story.