Beach family pictures are a wonderful way of creating memories as a whole family at a beautiful and relaxing location. Oftentimes, photoshoots at the beach commemorate our time spent on an annual family vacation.
As families, we love documenting those happy moments in life when we get to enjoy each other’s company, but at times we run out of ideas for outfits or styling. That’s why today I want to share with you some tips and ideas that will help you prepare for your beach family photoshoot and not over-stress.
Family portraits should be about having a great time, enjoying the process, and letting the photographer do their magic of taking your pictures.
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BEACH PHOTOSHOOT LOCATIONS
Many people may feel that you can only do beach photoshoots by the ocean, but I will prove to you that it’s not always the case. Let’s discuss what locations can work for a beach-themed family photoshoot.
OCEAN BEACH
Ocean beach is always the most preferred spot for a photoshoot. Who can resist the sound of the ocean waves, the fresh breeze, and the abundance of sand on the beach?
Ocean beaches make an excellent choice for family pictures, whether it’s during a summer family vacation or an annual family photoshoot.
As Northern California based photographers, we love photographing families in the beaches along the west coast. Some of the most favored locations for family pictures are Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Baker Beach, and China Beach, which are in the San Francisco area. Each of these beaches has it’s own unique look that creates a different backdrop for pictures.
If you live near these beaches, you must definitely consider having your family portraits taken at one of these gorgeous beaches.
LAKE BEACH
There are many beautiful beaches by the lakes, which will make for picturesque backdrops. If you live close to a pretty lake, why not take family pictures on the shore of that lake?
Lake beaches often offer many opportunities for creative family and children portraits. You can take pictures in the sand, in the water, and possibly on the rocks or between some trees.
Taking photos at a lake beach is an excellent idea for families with small children. They won’t get bored as fast and will enjoy running around the area.
Our client families’ most preferred lake beaches in NorCal are around Lake Tahoe. A few of the Lake Tahoe spots with beautiful backdrops, and sandy shores are Kings Beach State Recreation Area and the Sand Harbor Beach. Pope Beach is also a wonderful family photoshoot location, although the sandy shoreline is not as wide as in the other beaches.
If you are in the Sacramento area, then try out Folsom Lake beaches. One of my personal favorites is the Granite Bay access point to the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. There are so many stunning nature gems at the Folsom Lake.
Equipment that I use: Cameras: Canon EOS R5; Canon EOS R6
Lenses: Canon RF 85/1.2L; Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L; Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L
Light: Profoto B1 500 | Computer: Apple MacBook Pro | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
RIVER BEACH
Have you considered taking family pictures on the river beach? Yes, it is very possible to do. If there is a nice sandy shoreline by the river, why not make use of it for gorgeous family beach photos?
Most rivers can be quite deep and have a strong flow, which are not the ideal conditions for getting in the water for some shots. You would have to watch small kids closely so they won’t accidentally get in the water.
But if the shoreline and background nature are pretty, you will get astonishing family beach portraits at any river beach.
In Sacramento, we can suggest beaches along the American River. Lake Natoma is one of the most stunning locations along this river, which can be perfect for family beach photos. The water is more shallow here, and it’s safe to take portraits here with small children too.
HOW TO CHOOSE TIME FOR BEACH FAMILY PICTURES
Family pictures on the beach almost always take place during summer-time and summer vacations. If you live in warm states such as Florida, South Carolina, or California – photographers can shoot at the beaches pretty much year-round.
The best time for outdoor portraits is during the sunset time, aka the golden hour. Everyone wants that soft golden glow in their family photos that highlights each person beautifully.
As much as we all love taking photos at the perfect natural light timing, you will find that it’s hard to find a secluded spot with not many people around you. This applies mostly to ocean beaches, as lots of people love coming to those locations to watch the sun set down.
A professional family portrait photographer will know some isolated spots where you can take gorgeous family photos on the beach.
If waking up early in the morning is not a problem for you, consider taking pictures during sunrise. The time when the sun is just starting to rise is also called the golden hour. The golden hour gets its name for being the best time for outdoor photoshoots as it offers this soft and pleasant lighting for the portraits.
Family photos on the beach during sunrise may be an excellent option for you, and not too many beachgoers will be photobombing you as well.
GETTING READY FOR FAMILY BEACH PHOTOS
There are a few essential steps to follow when getting ready for family beach photos. Once you are set on the location where you want to take pictures, and the theme of your family photoshoot – it’s time to start thinking about outfits (more on that below).
Although choosing the right outfits is very important, we want to discuss a couple more details that play a huge role in a successful photoshoot outcome.
REST WELL BEFORE THE PHOTOSHOOT
Families with young children know how important it is for their kids to have a daily nap. Please don’t miss that nap on the day of your beach family photoshoot. Try to coordinate the daily schedule in such a way that your kids won’t miss their rest on this important day.
You, as the parents, should also get proper rest on the day of the photoshoot. Plan to go to bed early the night before the session. If you happen to be tired or sleepy on the day of your family shoot, it will really show through the pictures.
NATURAL MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLE IDEAS
Natural makeup is always best, especially for family pictures at the beach. Use some mascara and brow makeup along with pastel color lipstick. Don’t go heavy on the eyeliner and eye shadow, as it might be distracting from the portrait.
Wearing hair down is a great idea for mom and daughters. If you can add some curls for that ‘beach wave hairstyle’ – go for it. For little girls, you can add a small hairpin or a headband that goes well with their outfit.
My advice is don’t try any new hairstyle that you’ve never done before. If it doesn’t work out, you might not have the time to redo your hair, and it will ruin your mood for the entire day.
Keep in mind that it may be windy on the beach, so style your hair in a way that won’t be easily destroyed by the wind.
DON’T GET SUNBURN
Sunburn does not look good on pictures; in fact, it can ruin your whole family photoshoot. If you have your photoshoot scheduled for a certain date, try to make sure that none of your family members get a sunburn before the session.
It’s a lot harder to control this during a family vacation, but we have some tips for you. If you are planning to have your family beach pictures taken during a vacation, make sure to schedule it on the first couple of days of your stay there.
Doing it this way will eliminate the stress of getting a sunburn, and will also help you to truly enjoy the summer vacation after this important photoshoot is taken care of.
SNACKS FOR THE KIDS
Never go to a photoshoot hungry; it’s ‘golden rule’ in photography. We suggest having an early dinner on the day of your beach family photoshoot. This will give you the energy and fuel to enjoy the photo-taking and not get moody in the middle of the session.
Kids get hungry more often, so it’s a great idea to bring along some of their favorite snacks. The snacks can also serve as a bribe if needed, just make sure you grab something they really like.
PROPS OR NO PROPS?
Beach is a serene and very minimalistic photoshoot location that doesn’t call for props. The main idea of beach family pictures is to capture the family bond and true personalities just as they are. We don’t want to cover it with signs or banners or some other props.
BLANKET OR A THROW
Consider bringing a thin blanket or a throw, if you don’t want to sit down on the sand. We can hide the blanket by tucking it in and allow you to get beautiful family sitting shots.
When not in use, you can lay out the blanket for the kids to sit on while they share snacks.
OUTFIT IDEAS FOR FAMILY BEACH PICTURES
Every now and then we get asked: what should we wear for a family beach photoshoot? While there are tons of outfit ideas on the internet, not every outfit style or shade can complement your family.
As family portrait photographers, we understand how important it is for every family to choose outfits that will look great in their beach pictures while representing their true selves.
Pictures at the beach call for more casual and comfortable outfits, rather than formal pieces or suits. When you take family pictures in this type of setting, everything, including your outfits, must be fitting to the environment.
Every family member should wear comfortable clothes to allow them to be active during the photoshoot. You must be able to walk, run, sit, or do some other activities with your kids at the time of the photo session.
Always choose clothing that fits you and your kids well, and is not oversized or too snug. Details like these will show in your pictures, and you won’t love the outcome as much.
When choosing outfits, make sure your clothes cover the tan lines. If you have some tan lines around your neck and shoulder area, just pick tops that cover those lines. My advice is always to try outfits on all family members before the photoshoot, and this way, you won’t have any surprises on the day or the beach session.
Your shoes must also be comfortable for walking on the sandy beach. Don’t wear anything with heels and no dressy shoes for the guys. Most of the time, you won’t be wearing your shoes once the photoshoot starts. Barefoot looks more natural for family portraits at the beach.
Equipment that I use: Cameras: Canon EOS R5; Canon EOS R6
Lenses: Canon RF 85/1.2L; Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L; Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8L
Light: Profoto B1 500 | Computer: Apple MacBook Pro | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
COLOR COMBINATIONS FOR BEACH FAMILY PICTURES
When putting together outfits and looks, choose two colors that work well with each other and dress everyone in those tones. If we are talking about a large family reunion type of photoshoot, then slightly lighter or darker shades may work as well.
It’s important to choose clothes in plain fabrics such as cotton, linen, light knits, and maybe some types of jeans for the guys. Stay away from sparkly fabrics or silk, as they may leave reflections on people’s faces.
Choose from these color combinations to style your family outfits for a beach photoshoot.
WHITE AND LIGHT BLUE FAMILY OUTFIT IDEAS
Light blue and white color outfits match really well with the ocean view. Therefore it’s an excellent choice for your family’s clothes. Try mixing up these two colors for tops and bottoms, so that everyone’s outfits won’t look identical.
White and light blue is one of the best color combinations as these are the colors that are present in the beach surroundings, such as water and the sky. These ocean-themed outfits will make for wonderful family portraits at the beach, which you can display in your home.
WHITE AND TAN OUTFITS FOR FAMILY PICTURES
A combination of white and tan color is another excellent choice for family beach pictures. You can have the girls wear white dresses while dad and boys wear white tops and tan bottoms. If wearing belts, boys should try to match them to the color of their bottoms, instead of going for the regular black belt.
For large family groups, mix it up a bit and have some ladies wear tan dresses or two-piece outfits. I strongly advise against fully matching outfits for all family members. It will make your beach family photos appear too outdated and boring.
If you have a farmhouse decor theme throughout your home, family portraits in the white + tan color outfits would fit really well.
WHITE AND GREY FAMILY OUTFITS
White and grey color combination also works really well for family portraits at the beach. The good thing about this color combo is that you probably own clothes in these shades since they are very common.
Don’t go for dark grey shades, but choose lighter shades instead. Combining outfits with different textures will make this color blend stronger and more interesting. It’s cool to wear a shirt that has thin stripes, or a dress that has an interesting texture.
Grey looks awesome against tan skin tones and doesn’t overpower the images. Wearing white and grey color outfits for your family will only help to make your beach pictures pop.
Family portraits in this color theme are very modern and will match homes with contemporary house decor.
WHITE ON WHITE OUTFIT IDEAS
If you are not into color coordinating outfits but want those crisp and timeless portraits, try dressing everyone in white. To keep white-color family outfits from getting boring – consider adding textures and different fabric types.
For mom and the girls, choose white dresses that could have some lace in them, a thin belt, or a unique sleeve cut. For dad and the boys, you can do white polo shirts with white jeans or shorts.
The biggest benefit of white outfits is that they help your tan to show. Isn’t it one of the reasons we are taking family pictures on the beach?
PASTEL COLOR FAMILY OUTFIT IDEAS
After discussing some of the most common color combinations for authentic family beach portraits, do you see the shade pattern? Pastel colors look the best in family beach pictures.
These colors not only look amazing during a sunset beach photoshoot, but they also help to bring the viewer’s attention to the person and not the outfit itself. If you were to go with bright colors such as red, orange, or green, that would be distracting and not give a timeless look that we are going for.
Pastel colors such as light blue, light pink, or light green combined with a timeless white or tan – would be a great color combination. Just make sure you don’t mix all shades of pastels into the photoshoot. Pick two tones that look the best together and go from there.
FAMILY PICTURE IDEAS AT THE BEACH
So what are some interesting ideas for family pictures at the beach? There are actually quite a few of them, so let’s discuss some of the best ideas.
If you are having a full family reunion-type photoshoot with grandparents, their children, and grandchildren, it will require more shooting time. Everyone needs to arrive at the photo session on time. This is very important since the big family group pictures are always done first.
Little children have a short attention span, and this needs to be kept in mind. If you have little kids in your family, get those group pics out of the way first while kids are still cooperating. Then you can take more pictures of smaller groups, such as parents by themselves, kids by themselves, mom and daughter shots, and dad and son shots, etc.
STANDING POSES FOR FAMILY PICTURE IDEAS
For large family group pictures, it’s best to have everyone standing if possible. If the group is too large, consider having all grown-ups standing, and their children standing or kneeling right in front of them. Babies and younger children can be held in arms.
Standing family picture idea works for smaller families as well. It always looks extra special when family members have a physical connection between each other such as holding hands or hugging. We always encourage our clients to show their love towards each other with these kind gestures.
Family pictures with standing poses are timeless and sophisticated. These images usually have everyone facing the camera, and hopefully, everyone is smiling too. You can get amazing shots for displaying on the walls of your home.
WALKING IDEAS FOR FAMILY PICTURES ON THE BEACH
Walking is an excellent idea for family pictures on the beach. Your family portraits won’t look stiff or posed if you are walking. Instead, you will be able to interact with one another, laugh, tell jokes, or do whatever else you love doing!
Don’t just look in the camera while walking, but look at your spouse or children instead. This will give your images that natural feel that we all love in family photos.
Imagine holding hands with your spouse and kids as you stroll through an empty beach at golden sunset time. What a magical setting for unforgettable family memories! And if the beach has shallow waters, do the walking pictures in the water.
If you are lucky to shoot on a beach that has a nice reflection, those family pictures will be so creative. There are many many variations for family portraits taken while walking.
SITTING IDEAS FOR FAMILY BEACH PORTRAITS
If you don’t mind sitting on the sand or grass, definitely try sitting pose ideas during your beach family portraits. Taking photos at a lower angle gives a totally new perspective in pictures. The background will have a very different and interesting look.
You can sit directly in the sand, or use a thin blanket that matches the sand color. We want to try to mask out the blanket as much as possible so that it won’t be distracting in your family photos.
FAMILY PICTURE IDEAS WITH A DOG
One of the best ways to personalize family portraits is by including your family dog. Dog alone can add so much action and playful images to your photo gallery.
Bringing your dog on this important beach photoshoot has many advantages. The dog will help to entertain the kids as well as be a real and natural prop to your family pictures. If you are a dog owner, definitely consider bringing your dog along, and they will enjoy this adventure too!
FISHING STYLE PICTURE IDEAS
If the photoshoot is near water, you have an option to take some pictures in a fisherman theme. This idea works really well for little boys or daddy with his son. Just grab some fishing poles with you and a bucket for this interesting theme.
You can implement fishing style picture ideas at a river beach, as the surroundings are more fitting for this type of photoshoot. My guess is that children will be much more excited to go for a family beach photoshoot if they know there will be some fishing involved. Definitely consider this idea for your next photo session.
ACTION SHOTS IDEAS FOR FAMILY PORTRAITS
Some families are more active and outgoing than others, and they just can’t stand still throughout the whole photoshoot. It’s a really awesome idea to do some cool and goofy shots with your spouse or kids. You can be playful, funny, and just your true selves.
Consider playing tag as a whole family; just keep it within a small area. You can try giving piggyback rides to your kids, wouldn’t that be fun? And what about building a sandcastle as a family?
If you are still not tired and want to take more action photos, you can even get into the water. Get splashing competition going and see who gets wet first. I bet kids will be super excited to do such a challenge.
There are endless possibilities for family action shots, and it is really up to you and your family’s personality and preferences.
CONCLUSION
Family pictures at the beach are unique, and unlike any other theme photoshoot. If you choose to have your photos taken on a beach, now you have ideas on photoshoot preparation, outfit styling, and family picture ideas.
I hope that this family pictures on the beach guide is helpful for you, and you got many ideas out of it.
If you are looking for a family beach photographer in the Sacramento and San Francisco area, our studio is ready to help you with that. Bidun Studio Photography specializes in custom-designed family portrait photoshoots and beach family pictures. You can see our work and contact us here.
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Photographer: Sergey Bidun
Written by Maria Bidun
Bidun Studio Photography is based in Sacramento, California.
