Inspo from Your DreamArt Photographer:
Beach Family Photo Outfits
You’ve booked a beach family photoshoot. Exciting! Lifestyle photography experiences are a rare occasion for large groups to come together and spend 45 minutes dedicated exclusively to having a good time. Here at DreamArt, over 66,000 photoshoots’ worth of experience has taught us that having fun is the priority - amazing results are simply the by-product of enjoying the moment in real time, regardless of what you’re wearing. However, it’s only natural to want to look your best during a family vacation photoshoot. So, without further ado, let’s dive into some of DreamArt’s photoshoot fashion top tips, with guidance from some of our best-dressed families over the years…
Effortless Coordination
If you’re going for the ‘laissez-faire’ look, the secret to pulling this off is coordinating without totally matching. While it’s tempting to throw everyone into matching beach family photo outfits (we’ve all seen those iconic family photos where everyone’s in white tees and jeans), we recommend opting for complementary outfits instead. Of course, matching outfits can also look fabulous on camera, but we’ll get to that ‘matchy-matchy’ inspo later… for now, think of your family’s wardrobe as a cohesive set of colors, patterns, and textures that look good together but aren’t identical. With a little planning, you can put together a look that highlights your family’s unique style while letting everyone’s individual vibe shine through.
Start with a Color Palette
Before picking specific outfits, think about the color palette that your family is naturally drawn towards. Here are some tried-and-tested strategies to get you started:
Neutrals with a Pop: According to our Lead Photography Coach, ‘Whites, creams, and browns’ always photograph beautifully, especially in harmony with the sand and at golden hour. Add a pastel pop of color—maybe soft blush, dusty blue, or sage green—for a fresh and cohesive look. This palette brings a calming, timeless feel to your photos.
Earthy Tones: Rust, olive, and deep forest greens are fantastic for outdoor photoshoots. Earth tones give a warm, natural vibe that will accentuate the darker tones of a beachy backdrop and add a sense of depth to your photos.
Bold and Bright: If your family’s style is more vibrant, go ahead and play with rich, saturated colors! Jewel tones—think emerald greens, sapphire blues, or ruby reds—work especially well for making your photos pop without being overwhelming. With a statement colour, the rest of your outfit is then made easy: keep it simple, so the bold colors don’t compete with one another.
Play with Patterns & Textures
Mixing in a few patterns or textures can add dimension to your beach family photo outfits. For instance, one person could wear a Hawaiian print while the rest of the family sticks to block colors. Or the parents could wear simple linens while the kids toy with plaid and floral styles. Likewise, texture has the power to add a rich, tactile quality to the images. Our photographers say their best results are produced from photoshoots that feature flowy, loosely draped materials that move dynamically with the beach breeze.
All that being said, the most important thing is to wear a material that you feel most comfortable in. Mix and match as you please… it’s very difficult to over-stimulate the eye during a beach family photoshoot, since the sand-sea backdrop is beautiful in its simplicity.
À La Beach Mode
Dress for the Season and Setting
The sun is a key player when it comes to beach photography; we adore those natural rays, but bear in mind that these sessions can get a bit toasty! Opt for breathable fabrics, such as soft florals, light cotton dresses, and sandals… basically the dressy edition of everything that you’d normally wear to the beach.
Our favourite shots are often the ones that happen most unexpectedly. Of course, if you’re wearing a precious item of clothing, we don’t expect you to start splashing about in the ocean. But sometimes you can’t help but go for a playful paddle!
Kids Coordination
There’s something irresistibly charming about kids in matching beach family photo outfits—it’s like instant visual harmony. Not only does it create a sense of symmetry, but it also highlights their natural bond in a subtle, stylish way. Plus, the matching outfits add a playful touch that lets their personalities shine while the stunning beach backdrop enhances the whole scene, resulting in photos that are timeless but full of energy. Just wait for the who-wore-it-better debates as your kids grow older!
Accessorize
Accessories can add the finishing touches to your family’s outfits and help tie everything together. Our photographers recommend using scarves, and keeping hair down, to capture the effect of the breeze. And although these might sound like obvious beach accessories, a pair of sunglasses or a large sun hat are such fun props to play with, making your photos either more posey or candid, as you wish.
For young kids, accessories like cute hair clips, a bowtie, or suspenders can be an adorable way to add a little flair to their outfit without overwhelming them. The additional pro of children’s accessories is that it gives them something to focus on other than the camera, generating striking photos featuring raw, authentic emotion. If your kids love playing ball or frisbee in the backyard at home, then feel free to bring along a toy which will draw out the playful side of them.
If the purpose of your photoshoot is to commemorate a special occasion, then of course, go full-out! I mean, just look at this shot from a Christmas lifestyle session... having trouble holding back that smile? Us too! These results are also perfect for greeting cards and sending out festive wishes to friends and family. I don’t know about you, but when I see these groups having a ball in their cheesy, matching beach family photo outfits, it makes me want to jump into the frame alongside them!
Ready to book your family photoshoot? Let’s make it unforgettable!