There is something so special about professional family pictures on a beautiful beach! And to ensure stunning images, I do the majority of my photography sessions in one of the best sections of North Myrtle Beach. When a family hires me to take their photographs the most often asked question is, “What should we wear for our family beach portraits?”  There are many great options to choose from, the key is to plan ahead, and then the process can be fun as you put your outfits together for picture day!

The most important thing is to keep your outfits relaxed and comfortable, clean and simple, that way we can focus our time on your family and getting those ideal pictures you want! The best clothing selections will be coordinated well, and showcase the style your family is looking for in your beach portraits. Solid colors always photograph well, and there’s no risk of distracting from faces, or even the beautiful beach scenery.

The classic white look is timeless, and will make your overall pictures bright, crisp and clean. Jeans and khakis alike, look great for portraits to create a nice uniform feel to your images. Ladies and girls may wear soft, natural fabrics in cotton and linen that drape nicely, or go with a more tailored look, depending on your style. You can choose colors to pick up the beautiful colors of the ocean and sunset. Neutrals such as muted blues, soft pinks, cream, soft greens, pastels, and whites all photograph extremely well, blending effortlessly with the natural elements rather than competing with them.

Colors that complement the surroundings, like turquoise, navy, aqua, seafood green, and sea glass are a great choice.  The blue color spectrum is another excellent option.  Family beach photographs in navy and the complimenting hues and tones are always a winner. Using a bold accent color such as coral or pink will contrast nicely with the sea, and create a more contemporary portrait. An interesting combination  is to select one colorful patterned outfit for a single person in the family and then pull colors from that pattern to dress everyone else in solid colors to blend well.

This color scheme works wonderfully and coordinates a family in a way that is not so similar to one another.  You’ll want to have appropriate attire so you can walk, sit, and possibly jump for your pictures. Keep in mind you want to be in comfortable clothing you look good in, so genuine smiles will shine in your images! Plan on having your toes in the sand, and water; and yes, the barefoot look is best for beach portraits.

This is what to avoid, really detailed clothing, neon colors, logos and busy patterns as they take the focus away from your face, which is the most important focal point of the overall portraits.  I  hope all these great tips have helped. I know you’ll find something your family feels beautiful, comfortable, and fabulous in!  You can now enjoy deciding what to wear for family beach portraits, and rest assured I’ll be taking gorgeous beach portraits for your family!

Suggestions on where to shop: GapJ. Crew, Zara,
Forever 21Old NavyTarget  Garnet Hill