Beach Photo Tips and What to Wear

by Alli

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.

Family Photo - Beach Photo Tips

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.

Family Photos at the Beach

 

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.

Pink and Navy - Beach Photo Tips

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.

Beach Photo Tips - What to Wear

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.

Beach Photo Tips - Wear White

Different Shades of Blue and White

Shades of blue always look good in beach photos.

Beach Photo Tips - Shades of Blue

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.

Beach Photo Tips - Boys Playing

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

Family Jump Photo - Beach Photo Tips

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.

Beach Photo Tips - Family Photos

Have you ever had family photos taken at the beach? What was your color scheme? Any beach photo tips you want to share?

 

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23 comments

candy May 29, 2018 - 6:54 am

Those photos turned out wonderful. Clicking and being on the same page as your photographer is important. If you have an idea don’t be afraid to say something after all they are working for you.

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robin rue May 29, 2018 - 6:59 am

We are doing a photo shoot at the beach on June 10th, so thanks for the tips. Perfect timing. Your photos came out GREAT!

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wendy May 29, 2018 - 7:48 am

Good tips! A favorite pic of my neighbors that she recently shared had them all in white tops and they just looked so crisp and “beachy”.

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Amber Myers May 29, 2018 - 8:18 am

We are overdue for family photos! We prefer the fun ones and we’re rarely matching, because we just are not a matching family. Most of the time my husband is in his military uniform, and the kids and I just throw on whatever. We’re casual.

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Brit Strawbridge May 29, 2018 - 8:33 am

Wow, your photos turned out great! Love the blue colours! These are great tips!

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Tomi C May 29, 2018 - 10:10 am

We did an all white and a white top – denim bottom pic in one of our family beach photo. It’s a must that you use that beautiful sandy backdrop whenever you’re near the beach.

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Sarah Bailey May 29, 2018 - 10:14 am

What some lovely ideas, the beach is definitely a go to place for photos and I love these ideas for making them look good!

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Tasheena May 29, 2018 - 10:15 am

Love your photo tips. I can’t wait until our next family photo to use them. I love the idea of not wearing any shirts with writing on them.

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valmg @ Mom Knows It All May 29, 2018 - 10:26 am

It looks like you had a fun time taking the photos. We’re very overdue for a family picture, I’d like to try and get a decent cone this year.

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Janet May 29, 2018 - 10:41 am

I work as a freelance photographer and these are some awesome photos. The outfits are well coordinated and yes…they will thank you later on.

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Farrah Less May 29, 2018 - 12:27 pm

Great shot I consider myself still new in photography. I like checking on others photographs and getting some idea. That way I learn so much. We recently went to our yearly beach vacation and I’m glad all our photos came out good.

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Jenn@Engineermommy May 29, 2018 - 4:48 pm

The beach is the perfect setting for some great family photos. I love the all white on the beach as well.

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Karen Morse May 29, 2018 - 11:31 pm

I love the tips that you shared here! I love taking family photos at the beach because it’s my absolute fave. It’s such a nice theme!

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Bonnie G May 30, 2018 - 12:05 am

These photos all came out very nice. Thank you for sharing all of these tips they are very useful.

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Ricci May 30, 2018 - 2:50 am

I love your color scheme for these beach pics! I am also not a fan of the khaki/white beach pics, they are too bland! LOL!!

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Amy h May 30, 2018 - 9:58 am

I love the color scheme that you chose for the beach photos! They are so light and fresh! I’ve never done a beach photo shoot

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Vyjay Rao May 30, 2018 - 12:54 pm

Those are some really cute photos you have shared. So nice to see the entire family together for the beach photo shoot. It is such a great idea to have an annual photo. Ioved the colour coordination that you were able to do, gives such a nice visual appeal to the pictures.

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Peter May 30, 2018 - 5:11 pm

I love colour too. It’s a great break from the normal which would be the khaki and white. Very beautiful pics

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Dug June 7, 2018 - 5:53 pm

The photos look amazing i really like the ones on the beach btw the nature looks super nice we are also looking to do the same style of photos for our towels

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Richard Huey July 10, 2018 - 10:23 pm

Your photos turned out great. I love the color suggestions. I have terrible fashion sense. I will be sure to rely on your recommendations for the next time we decide to take beach pictures of the family.

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JasonRider August 11, 2018 - 6:45 am

Awesome photos look amazing. I really like these kind of stuff. Photography is my hobby and i love to see some naturally took photos.

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William - Helium Films Production August 11, 2018 - 7:34 am

I love beach and photography on beach. You have some amazing beach photos, Now i am feeling jealousy from you why i have not photos like these. LOL

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Rashel Ahmed May 7, 2019 - 5:46 am

Nice post, Thanks for wonderful post

Reply

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