Got a weeklong getaway to a gorgeous beach destination with the family coming up? Still pulling your hair out deciding which outfits to pack for the trip, or more specifically, for the family beach photoshoot you booked?
Relax. I know opportunities to chill out, recharge, and spend meaningful time off with the family can get harder and harder to come by in these strange times. So worry not, we’re about to make your vacation prep a little less stressful with this quick guide to dressing up for family beach photos.
Last week, we covered 12 Ideas for Family Beach Photos, and today we’re covering what to wear. Now, keep in mind I kept this kinda broad, I’m a portrait photographer in Maui, where you’ll seldom see people caught in jeans or slacks. But I use to live in every state on the west coast, so I know there’s certainly areas where you’ll have to dress a little warmer… So I have a little bit for everyone!
Go All-in on White
Look, there are a thousand different ways you could put together a beach photoshoot-ready get up for the entire family. But if you don’t think you can put up with that much work with all the mixing and matching on top of convincing the kids to try out different clothing, consider going for a coordinated white outfit.
You can never go wrong with white polos for guys and cotton dresses for women. White goes well with almost everything and it’s the easiest color to accessorize. That means a lot of what’s already in your closet look will look great when paired with white. Yes, khakis included.
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Consider Shades of Blue for a Casual Look
What’s really cool about going for a mainly blue get-up is that not only does it give a nice, laid-back casual look to your photos, it also matches the ocean’s gentle tones! You could look for an aqua blue theme going on, or mix and match your choice of blue with neutral colors like whites.
Mom could go for a mid-length (knee-length), blue summer dress and dad can sport a simple white shirt to complete the casual vibe you want for your photos. A quick tip if you’re set on going with blues: pair it with gentler colors like light tans or plain whites that won’t contrast over the blue that much. Khakis can work, too!
Denim and Cream
There are a few rules when it comes to putting together a cohesive outfit for family beach photos. One of them that I stand by personally is that you’ll want to wear something comfortable. This is where denimwear shines, as not only are they comfortable as always, they look really awesome in beach photos, too!
Get the boys in their comfortably fitted denim jeans and have everyone wear a cream-colored top. Cream goes really well with the denim’s darker tones, and it complements the beautiful colors of the sand and the sky!
Be Bright and Bold
Let’s switch gears for a second and look at your options if you’re not into keeping things simple and casual. Don’t be afraid to pick out bold colors! Going with brighter and bolder color palettes will make everyone “pop” more against the beach’s assortment of pastel colors.
If you have something like a nice, long regal dress in flaming red, you probably don’t want to dress up your kids with softer colors because brighter colors can easily overpower their muted tones. Instead, wear something that complements reds, like tangerine or solid blues and yellows.
Barefoot is Best
Walking around beach photo locations to the next can be a little uncomfortable if you stick with your shoes on throughout the session. Go enjoy the sand with your bare feet instead! It’ll be a completely different experience with you and the family just taking in the beach’s wonderful views as you walk down the shore barefooted.
Additionally, leaving your trendy shoes behind and soaking in the fun of going barefoot will look and feel just right in the images, whereas sneakers and other footwear can sometimes look odd in a beach photo. Clean up can be a hassle, too!
Sandals and Flats Work, too!
Now if you’re not liking the idea of soldiering through the beach photoshoot session on your bare feet, you can always go for casual sandals for the boys and chic flats for women. Here’s a friendly tip though: don’t bring your nicer sandals and flats to the beach because the wet and the sand can quickly ruin your favorite casual footwear. Otherwise, comfy sandals and slides can work fine for your beach photos!
Go Easy with Patterns
Not that you’re not allowed to put together patterned beach photo outfits, but you probably shouldn’t go too heavy with them. Having everyone sporting different patterned outfits can quickly make your family beach portrait session look a little all over the place.
Here’s a great tip you can use if you’re planning on wearing patterned outfits for your beach photoshoot: stick to one to two family members wearing their desired patterned top. You can then pick out colors from the pattern and have the others wear clothes in those colors for a cute, coordinated look.
Put a Formal Spin on your Family Beach Portraits
The easiest thing you can do to give your family beach photo session a slightly prim and proper touch is to go for darker tones such as deeper navy and greyish colors. Moms can go for a knitted, short navy beach dress, while the boys can tuck in a grey shirt, tan pants tied together with a bright leather belt.
Hats are Welcome!
Nothing screams a day well spent at the beach than cute summer hats! Accessories can often enhance your family beach photos; going with a classic hay hat or something similar can complete a traditional beachwear look for the family.
Not only do oversized hay hats on children look adorable, but they can also be functional, too! If you can keep your toddlers comfortable throughout the shoot, keeping harsh sun rays out of their sight included, then you can be sure they won’t be throwing a tantrum in the middle of the session.
Don’t Over-accessorize!
Speaking of accessorizing, remember to not go overboard! Wearing gorgeous beach necklaces or fun bangles are great; they offer welcome textures to your photos and put a lovely finishing touch to your outfits.
However, over-accessorizing is another thing — if you’re covered in pearls and jewels from the ear-down, then it’s the first thing the viewer will see and you’ll end up with a bad photo. It’s best to keep your accessory choices to a minimum!