What to Wear for Beach Family Photos
Beach sessions have a relaxed, timeless feel, and your wardrobe can help create that same look in your photographs. Soft colors, natural textures and fabrics with movement work beautifully against the sand, water and evening sky.
And no you don’t have to dress everyone in white and khaki! A thoughtful mix of neutrals, muted colors and subtle patterns creates a much more natural, elevated look. This guide will help you coordinate your family while keeping everyone comfortable and looking like themselves.
THE EASIEST WAY TO COORDINATE YOUR FAMILY
1. Start with Mom
Choose Mom’s outfit first. A dress or skirt with movement photographs beautifully at the beach and gives you an easy starting point for the rest of the family’s colors.
2. Choose 3–5 coordinating colors
Pull colors from Mom’s outfit or choose a mix of soft neutrals and muted colors that complement the beach.
3. Add Dad
Keep Dad simple with a linen or cotton button-down, henley, polo or lightweight sweater paired with chinos or neutral shorts.
4. Dress the Kids
Pull different shades from your palette rather than dressing everyone alike. Siblings don’t need to match, they just need to coordinate.
5. Add Texture + Movement
Linen, cotton, gauze, knits, lace and flowy fabrics add dimension and look beautiful when there’s movement from the lake breeze.
WANT ME TO CHECK YOUR OUTFITS?
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Once your session is booked, feel free to send me photos or screenshots of the outfits you’re considering. I’m happy to help you coordinate colors, patterns and pieces, and make sure everything will photograph beautifully against the sand, water and sky.
And don’t feel like you need to buy an entirely new wardrobe. We can often pull together a beautiful look using pieces you already own.
mom/dad/kids
For Mom, I’d say dresses are your #1 beach recommendation. Maxi and midi dresses, flowy skirts, linen, gauze, subtle florals, soft jumpsuits.
Dresses with movement are especially beautiful at the beach. The breeze naturally adds movement to the fabric and gives your photos that relaxed, effortless feeling.
For Dad, I’d keep it simple:
Easy Dad Formula:
Linen/cotton shirt + chinos or neutral shorts + barefoot.
Colors: cream, oatmeal, dusty blue, sage, soft navy, tan.
For kids: cotton, linen, gauze, simple dresses, rompers, henleys, rolled chinos, neutral shorts
BAREFOOT IS BEST
For beach sessions, plan on going barefoot! Shoes tend to look out of place in the sand and can make movement more difficult.
Kids can kick off their shoes, roll up their pants and play. That’s exactly what we want.
Bring easy slip-on shoes or sandals for walking to and from our session location.
Beach Fabrics Matter
THINK LIGHT + FLOWY
Beach sessions often have a breeze, and that’s actually a good thing.
Great choices: linen, cotton, gauze, lace, lightweight knits and flowing dresses.
Avoid: stiff fabrics, overly structured clothing and anything extremely short or tight that you’ll constantly need to adjust.
One very practical note for moms: If you’re choosing a shorter dress, remember that we’ll be walking, sitting and moving, and the beach can be windy. Midi and maxi lengths tend to be easier and photograph beautifully.
CAN WE WEAR WHITE?
Yes, but mix it with other colors and textures.
Cream, ivory and soft white photograph beautifully at the beach. Instead of putting everyone in white shirts, pair lighter neutrals with dusty blue, sage, tan, soft denim, muted rose or another color from your palette.
Beach Dos + Don'ts
beach yes
Flowy dresses
Linen + cotton
Soft/muted colors
Bare feet
Subtle patterns
Texture
Layers
Clothes kids can play in
skip
Everyone in white
Large logos
Neon colors
Shoes
Competing prints
Stiff/formal fabrics
Matching outfits
Anything uncomfortable
WHERE I LIKE TO SHOP FOR BEACH SESSIONS
Old Navy
Great for: Dad + kids
Linen shirts • neutral shorts • simple dresses • kids’ basics
H&M
Great for: Kids + Mom
Cotton dresses • linen blends • neutrals • kids’ basics
Abercrombie & Fitch
Great for: Mom + Dad
Flowy dresses • linen shirts • elevated basics
Quince
Great for: Mom
Linen dresses • washable silk • sweaters • elevated neutrals
Nordstrom
Great for: Special pieces
Dresses • children’s clothing • accessories
BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR YOUR BEACH SESSION
✓ Outfits steamed
✓ Easy shoes for walking to the beach
✓ Hairbrush/comb
✓ Hair ties or clips for wind but remove wrist hair ties before photos
✓ Kids fed beforehand
✓ Pockets emptied
✓ Phones and keys put away
✓ Light layer in case it gets chilly
✓ Towel for sandy/wet feet or children
Most importantly, don't overthink it!
Choose outfits that feel comfortable and like your family. You don’t need to look perfectly styled; you just need to feel good together.
And if you’re unsure, send me your outfit photos. I’m always happy to help before your session.