The beach is a beautiful setting for a portrait session, and your clothing should complement the location. Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing your family’s outfits:

Choose colors that complement the beach scenery

When it comes to choosing colors for your beach portrait session, keep in mind that the beach is full of neutral and pastel colors. Think about soft blues, greens, yellows, and corals. These colors will work well with the natural tones of the sand, sea, and sky.

Choose colors that complement the décor where you expect to hang your portrait

The next thing you want to think about with your color scheme is how those colors will fit in with the colors of your décor where you expect to hang your portraits. Bold and tropical colors may clash, for example, with your wood paneled family room. Softer and more neutral colors are safer, especially if you’re not sure where you will be hanging your portraits.

Avoid loud and bold patterns

While you want to look stylish, it is important to avoid wearing clothes with bold and loud patterns that may distract from your family’s natural beauty. These patterns can take away from the serene and peaceful environment of the beach. Instead, choose solid-colored clothing or patterns with subtle designs.

Opt for light and breathable fabrics

The beach can get hot and humid, and you want to ensure your family is comfortable during the session. Choose light and breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen that allow for air to circulate around the body. This will help keep you and your family cool and relaxed throughout the shoot.

Keep accessories to a minimum

When it comes to accessories, less is more. You don’t want to detract from your family’s natural beauty, so choose simple accessories such as earrings, necklaces, or bracelets that complement your outfit. Avoid wearing hats or sunglasses as they can cast unwanted shadows on your face.

Coordinate your outfits without being too matchy-matchy

Coordinate your family’s outfits to create a cohesive look without being too matchy-matchy. This means that you should choose outfits that complement each other without looking too uniform. Mix and match colors and patterns to create a natural and relaxed look.

Consider how your outfit will look in the wind

Dresses and scarves can add a little drama to your pictures if the wind cooperates or can be a distraction if it doesn’t. Loose fitting blouses and shirt sleeves can become puffy if the wind get’s inside them. Prominent collars and short skirts can flip up if the wind gets underneath them. If you’re concerned or not sure about your outfit’s wind readiness, you might want to leave it home or bring an alternate outfit you can change into if necessary.

Be careful when mixing light and dark solids

A viewers eyes will automatically focus on the brightest subjects in a group picture. So if you pick a color scheme, for example, where one or some of your family members are wearing solid white tops and the rest are wearing black or navy, then the white subjects will get all the attention in the photos at the expense of the group.