What to Wear for Family Beach Photos: Style Tips for Natural, Timeless Portraits

A perfect mix of color, pattern, and textures. Varying shades of blue are repeated across the group. Different stripes and lace textures create visual interest. Dad's shirt picks up the textures of the lace and all of the blues. Littlest sister harmonizes in a dusty, neutral pink with plenty of ruffles to add texture. Everyone is different, but cohesive.

Planning a family photo session at the beach? Good news — you’re already halfway to stunning photos just by showing up. The backdrop is doing a lot of the work (thank you, Gulf Coast sunsets). But your wardrobe can really take it to the next level. Here’s how to keep things simple, cohesive, and effortlessly beautiful.

Incorporating Color Flawlessly

Think about the colors you like to wear on a daily basis. Are you bright and bold or muted and neutral? Don’t choose colors just because you like them or think they will look good. Choose colors that make you shine. If you don’t know your home color season, The My Best Colors app by colorwise.me is a great place to start.

Soft, natural tones that complement the beach always work well. Sand, ivory, oatmeal, dusty blues, sage, pale peach, and warm neutrals all photograph beautifully. These colors help keep the focus on connection and emotion, not clashing outfits.

But more punchy colors can also work really well. Try using bolder colors in a print that also features neutrals. This creates more visual balance than one solid bright piece, like a dress or maxi skirt. The only colors to avoid at all costs are neons. Neons throw horrible color casts on to the skin and pull focus from what matters most, your people.

A monochromatic works best when lots of texture is incorporated. Think knits, lace, ruffles. Even sheer fabric and subtle prints become a texture when layered in with more obvious texture.

Keep it Light + Breezy

Skip anything overly structured like polos, stiff button-downs, or tailored dresses. They tend to look out of place in the relaxed, natural environment and can restrict movement (and comfort). Instead, think flowy, breathable, and unfussy. It’s the beach, not a boardroom.

Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and gauze are your best friends. They breathe better, move beautifully in the breeze, and photograph with that soft, effortless texture we all love. Synthetic fabrics can cling, trap sweat. The heat and humidity on the Gulf Coast can be oppressive, even at 7pm. Give yourself every advantage when it comes to staying cool.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

Gone are the days of identical white shirts and khakis (bless). Instead, choose a palette of 3–4 complementary colors and build outfits within that range. Mix small-scale patterns and think about where you can incorporate layers and textures to create visual interest.

I truly love how no one matches here, but they all go together. Mom and daughter are in floral patterns that vary in scale and style, but match in colors. All of the colors for the boys outfits have been pulled from the little girl’s dress. And lots of texture has been incorporated. Even though the colors are bold, they don’t overpower.

For example:
• Mom in a flowy soft cotton blue dress
• Dad in light khaki shorts and a cream linen shirt
• Kids in soft florals, faded denim, or neutral knits within the same color palette

The goal is harmony without looking like you all work at the same beach restaurant.

Extended Family Styling

If you're bringing the whole crew — grandparents, cousins, siblings, chaos — don’t panic. The same rules apply, just on a larger scale. Choose one or two main colors (like sage and cream), one or two accent tones (like dusty rose and pale gray), and let everyone choose outfits that fall within that range.

An expert level mix of patterns and textures even though it was hot. This soft peach is repeated over and over again in different ways. (The only thing I would change is the patriarch’s polo shirt.)

Send the palette and a few examples to the group chat to avoid surprises. And remind everyone that logos, loud patterns, and neon belong back at the souvenir shop.

Comfort Is Key

This isn’t prom. It’s not the time to try a dress you can’t breathe in or shoes you hate. Go barefoot. Wear something you can walk in, sit in, and chase your toddler across the sand in. If you feel good, you’ll look good. It’s that simple.

THIS is the way to use bright colors. There are lots of neutrals with pops of orange and yellow in the dresses. I also love that the patterns of the dresses are a similar scale and shape, but vary in color and detail. The orange shorts work well in a solid because they are small. Mom and dad anchor the group in white and each kid’s outfit connects in color back to both the parents and another sibling. Perfection.

Wearable, Not Worrisome

Skip any outfit that needs constant adjusting or only looks good if you stand just so. You want to love your outfit from all angles, not worry about pulling it up, smoothing it down, or hiding your bra every time you move. Choose pieces that fit well, move with you, and let you be in the moment — not fussing in it.

Ladies: Let Your Hair Do Its Thing

The beach is not the place to fight your hair into submission. I always recommend working with your hair’s natural texture and skipping heavy products. Avoid hairspray. In high humidity and beach breeze, it usually results in a sticky, tangled mess. Practice low-effort styles that still feel like you: Natural curls, a loose bun, soft waves. Windswept is part of the vibe, embrace it.

Dudes: Pockets. Must. Be. Empty.

I repeat: empty your pockets. I can fix a lot of things in editing, but I cannot un-lump your phone, your sunglasses, your car keys, or the emergency snack you stashed for later. Show up with empty pockets and clean lines, and your future self will thank you.

And while I have your attention, let me reiterate: button downs and polo shirts are for work and golf. I will die on this hill. Here are a few options that I believe work so much better:

• Henley shirts, short or long sleeve. Chef’s kiss.

• A sweater, obviously not in the summer

• T-shirt with an open short sleeve button up layered on top

As with everything, there is an exception to my aversion to these shirt styles. Texture. Button downs in linen, denim, or chambray are effortlessly stylish. And a knitted polo? Hello old-money honey on a catamaran off the coast of Cap Cod. If you love the way you feel in a more formal style, find it in a texture that softens it.

Who says you have to dress up? My ultimate dream for a family beach session is to capture what your beach vacation is really like. Swimsuits, sandcastles, frolicking in the ocean while mom and dad lounge under an umbrella.

Everyone: No Sunburns!

I know it’s tempting to soak up every ounce of Florida sun the minute you get here, but trust me — you do not want to show up to your session lobster red, peeling, or rocking a sunglasses tan line. It’s just not comfortable and it’s not cute. Don’t underestimate how strong the Florida sun is (even when it’s cloudy). Be diligent with sunscreen, reapply often, and wear a hat when you can. Your skin, your photos, and your future self will thank you.

Need a Little Inspiration?

Check out my What to Wear Pinterest Board for some visual examples of beach-perfect outfits I love. If you’re still feeling stuck, send me a photo of what you’re thinking, I’m always happy to weigh in!

Your session should feel like a relaxed, sun-kissed evening with your favorite people, not a fashion emergency. Keep it fun. Keep it soft. Keep your pockets empty.

I can’t wait to see what you wear and capture these moments with the people who matter most.