20 White Dresses for a Beach Family Photoshoot // This is our Bliss (2024)

FAQs

What to wear for a beach family photo shoot? ›

For family picture outfit ideas at the beach, think coordinated colors like pastels or blues, with breathable fabrics like linen for a relaxed yet put-together look. Capturing beautiful beach family photos is not only about the picturesque scenery but also about the joy and togetherness your family shares.

Choose colors that will pick up the beautiful colors of the ocean and sunset. Neutrals like soft pinks, cream, muted blues, soft greens and white all photograph extremely well, blending effortlessly with the natural elements rather than competing with them.

Avoid wearing patterns and logos. Even a single strip or small emblem can be distracting as this will draw the eye to the pattern not the photo as a whole. Avoid over-accessorizing or even wear no accessories at all.

Red, navy blue, hot pink, emerald green, burnt orange, and gold are all colors that pop against those pristine beach landscapes.

Pastels and light neutrals (white, pale pink, pale purple, peach, tan, etc) will give a soft, monotone look whereas bold colors (think: navy, bright purple, pink, bold blue, etc) will provide more contrast and help you stand out from the background. Both look great! It's up to you and what you want on your walls.

Coastal colors are inspired by nature and can be both cool and warm. Cool coastal colors include shades of pale blue, green, and white. Warm coastal colors range from sandy beiges and tans to warm corals and yellows.

When in doubt select one patterned outfit for a single person in the family and then pull colors from that pattern to dress everyone else in solid colors to coordinate. Don't worry about shoes. Plan on being barefoot as shoes in the sand aren't really practical and look a little odd.

I know it can be hard to not wear neutrals (I wear them a ton!) but I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend against wearing black or white in photos. Both colors do not photograph well and end up looking quite flat. Color is where it's at!

What colors are best for family photos? ›

Neutrals and Blues (My go to Family Photos Color Scheme)

It also looks great on smaller families. I find that most of us already have lots of blue, white, and grays in our closets! This color scheme is especially great for achieving that “beachy” look.

Dark, Solid Colors: Dark, solid colors like black, navy blue, and dark green can help create a slimming effect. Vertical Stripes: Vertical stripes can help elongate your silhouette and make you appear taller and thinner.

The easiest thing to to wear on the beach for extended family photo sessions is pink & blue. Everyone has some shade of the two colors that almost always play well together. Add in your neutrals and you're good to go. Pinks & blues also look great on the beach!

Some great colors to wear for photos are oranges, reds, golds, magenta, and turquoise. Most of these are earth-like tones.

I am a fan of muted color palettes, soft pinks, yellows, blues, white, and grey. I would suggest staying away from primary colors and neons as they tend to leave a color cast on your skin. I once had a dad wear a bright yellow shirt and it made everyone look like they had neon yellow skin and was a nightmare to edit.

Here, both bold and light colors work well. Pastels and light neutrals (white, pale pink, pale purple, peach, tan, etc) will give a soft, monotone look whereas bold colors (think: navy, bright purple, pink, bold blue, etc) will provide more contrast and help you stand out from the background. Both look great!

Think aqua, turquoise, navy, seafoam green or sea glass. Pink, peach or lilac also look gorgeous against a beach summer sunset sky.

Beach Photography Settings – Sun and the sand

Generally you'll need a low ISO like 100 or if your camera allows it even lower, an aperture of f/4 along with an exposure of +0.3 just to ensure the image isn't too dull.