You should consider getting your Advanced Open Water before diving wrecks because most of the boat captains don’t require it but would prefer it. And since they’re not responsible for finding you a buddy, you probably want to go to you LDS, make small talk, and see if you can tag along with people, especially since this is the better way to learn about some of the more interesting features of certain wrecks.
Beach diving and photography are two things I know less about (I mostly dive wrecks). But Captain Dan Berg’s Site (http://www.aquaexplorers.com/beachdivingFreeGuide.htm), and NJScuba.net have a very large lists and descriptions of beaches. My main advice is check the tides the day before, and right before you plan on leaving the house, and pay close attention to your watch while you’re in the water, in some places if the tide changes and you don’t expect it you’re S.O.L.
As far as photography work on your bouyancy and breathing before you really consider it, and plan ahead; learn the spots you plan on shooting ahead of time, so you don’t unnecessarily bring a camera to a spot that wasn’t worth bring it to in the first place. It’s an expensive waste of time, and an annoying piece of equipment to deal with in bad viz, and current if you can’t control those two things well enough to get a good shot.