In case you haven't heard, it's family beach session season! This summer, I'm offering family beach sessions throughout the Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Destin, and the 30A areas. Once you've booked your spot, it's time to figure out what to wear! I know the struggle of planning the perfect beachy and summery outfit, especially when you're trying to coordinate with multiple family members. This guide to family beach photo outfits will take the stress of outfit planning off your plate so you can focus on what really matters: spending time with loved ones and creating fun summer memories.
Psst, Jessi Casara Photography clients also get access to an exclusive shoppable style guide to help with outfit selection! Drop me a comment below or DM me on Insta (@jessi_casara) for more info.
Coordinated Color Palettes
One of my top tips for family beach photo outfits (which can also be applied to family sessions in general) is to dress everyone in a cohesive color palette. Key word being cohesive rather than exactly matching! I encourage clients to coordinate outfits according to different shades of the same color or complementary colors that pair well together. This way, everyone has some freedom to pick an outfit color they feel confident in while ensuring no one sticks out like a sore thumb! Matchy-matchy family beach photo outfits feel a bit outdated, so keep things coordinated but leave room for subtle color variations.
Bold Colors
Summer is the perfect time to get fun and creative with your family photo outfits, don't be afraid to come to your family beach session decked out in bright, bold colors. I find that dressing in eye-catching colors helps you stand out from the neutral beach background and plays up the fun summer vibes. Whether you have everyone in the family stick to one bold color or dress each member in something different, your family photos are sure to pop.
Beachy Patterns
If you and your loved ones plan to incorporate some patterns into your family beach photo outfits, try to keep things light and beachy. Subtle stripes, floral prints, and nautical-themed patterns are great choices for summer beach sessions. Using a variety of understated patterns highlights the uniqueness of individual family members while keeping the whole group cohesive and coordinated.
Flowy Pieces
Ladies, this family beach photo outfit tip is for you! I absolutely love having the women of the family dress in long, flowy dresses and skirts for beach sessions. These airy, lightweight pieces add some beautiful movement to photos, especially in walking or twirling shots. The easy breezy outfit vibe perfectly complements the beach setting and gives family photos some dimension and flow.
Creamy Neutrals
Another great way to get the family looking on-point for beach photos? Dress everyone in creamy neutrals! You can either keep it simple with a mixture of creams, khakis, and beiges, or pair with soft shades of blue, pink, and white. For some, bold colors and patterns just aren't your thing - and that's totally okay! Embrace the neutral side of things with light, airy shades that pair beautifully with the beachy background.
I can't wait to see what gorgeous family beach photo outfits you end up planning for your Gulf Coast family beach session with me this summer!
xo,
Jessi
If you or someone you know is looking for a Gulf Coast family beach photographer, I'd love to work with you! Give me a shout over at https://www.casaraphoto.com/services.
Jessi is a lifestyle documentary photographer based in southern Alabama, serving the Gulf Coast from Mobile, AL to Pensacola, FL, along with the Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta areas. She specializes in couple, wedding, maternity, newborn and family photography, and also enjoys commercial and creative portraiture. Available for travel worldwide. Find out more at www.casaraphoto.com.
