Beach Photo Tips and What to Wear

Don’t you just love beach photos? I do! Our family had professional photos made a while back when we were visiting the beach, so this is a good time to share my beach photo tips and what to wear.

Once a year, I gather the entire family for our annual family photo. I hear moaning, groaning, and “just do photos with the grandkids this year.” But, someday, my smarty-pants kids will thank me for this.

It’s worth all the complaining to get that perfect shot. Of course, I do use the word perfect loosely. My family knows that I will always choose the one that I look the best in. Because I’m the mom, I’m paying and I say so.

You can read all about the antics that go into making of a family Christmas card photo, the dreaded family photo, and how to look great in photos.

Beach Photo Tips

Hire a good photographer!

We had our beach photos made a few months ago in Myrtle Beach. We booked the session way before our family vacation. Before booking the session, my youngest daughter and I searched the web for the perfect Myrtle Beach photographer. We found one we liked and contacted him to schedule the session and to find out the cost. We were pleasantly surprised at the cost.

Make Sure You Click with your Photographer

I don’t want to go into details, but I didn’t click at all with the photographer at one of my daughter’s wedding. She was very bossy and uptight and just plain weird. It was a no for me.

Plus, she was a luxury photographer. That’s photo speak for super next level expensive, but not worth it in my humble opinion.

My entire family totally clicked with our Myrtle Beach photographer.

Make a List of Must Have Photos

Your photographer will probably have his or her own list. But if there are special photos you want, a list will help you remember to ask for them.

Be Respectful of Your Photographer’s Time

When you have a large family like mine (16 and counting), it’s easy to get sidetracked and start laughing and joking. Having fun is a do, but don’t get loud and forget your photographer is on a timeline.

It’s a challenge to photograph a large family, so be sure and listen to your photographer. He or she is the pro and they usually know more than we do about posing, lighting, etc.

What to Wear for Beach Photos

We all have our favorite colors and I don’t like matchy, matchy. However, you do need to coordinate when having family photos made. In other words, wear something that flows together.

I know I’ll get some backlash here, but personally, I don’t like the white and khaki clothing beach photos. For me, it fades into the background and just looks kinda plain.

I like to wear colors that pop. But that’s my style. You need to go with your style.

Navy, Blush, and White

For our family photos, we chose shades of pink/salmon (blush is my favorite color for beach photos), navy and white.

Avoid Large Patterns

Stay away from a lot of different/large prints. We choose to mostly wear solid colors with just a few of the family wearing small patterns. Yep, it’s my daughter-in-law with the pretty, small print. She was obviously pregnant in the photos.

All White is Simply Beautiful

If you can pull it off, white is so pretty for a small family or a mother/daughter photo. All white makes me look like a beached whale so it’s a no-go for me. But my grandson sure does look good in white.

Different Shades of Blue and White

Shades of blue always look good in beach photos.

Tell Your Son He Can’t Wear A Shirt With Writing

Every single time we have family photos, I have to text my son to tell him not to wear a shirt with writing on it. This time around, instead of going over the beach photo tips, again and again, I just bought him an outfit to wear. Problem solved.

Include Some Fun Shots

My grandkids are too cute in this photo.

Yes, we included the jump photo. No, I can’t jump. I tried to fake it.

A Few Helpful Hints

The wind will probably be blowing. It’s something to think about when planning how you will wear your hair.
The wind will also determine how your clothing will cling to you. Keep that in mind.
Wear something that covers tan lines.
Try not to get sunburned before your photo shoot.
If you’re on vacation, try and schedule the photo shoot early in the week. Once it’s over, you can relax.
Leave your camera at home. Let the photographer do her job without interruptions.