What to Wear for Beach Photos: Outfit Ideas + Tips

If you’re planning beach photos, what you wear can make a big difference in how comfortable you are during your session. Between the heat, humidity, wind, sand, and water, you want outfits that look good but can also handle actually being at the beach.

Beach photo outfits don’t have to mean everyone in white shirts and khakis. Here’s what to wear for beach photos, including color palettes, outfit ideas, and a few tips to keep you comfortable and feeling confident.

Tips for choosing your beach photo outfits

Coordinate instead of matching

Instead of putting everyone in the same color, choose 2–3 colors that work well together and mix them throughout your outfits. This keeps everyone looking coordinated without feeling too matchy.

Start with one outfit you love and build from there. If one person is wearing a patterned dress, for example, pull a few colors from the pattern for everyone else’s outfits. Patterns can definitely work, just avoid having too many competing with each other.

Wear something you feel good in

You don’t need to buy a whole new outfit for your photos. Start with something you already know you feel good in and build from there.

Choose clothes that fit well, feel comfortable, and look good from different angles, not just standing straight in front of a mirror. During your session, you’ll probably be walking, sitting in the sand, moving around, and playing with your kids or partner, so you don’t want to spend the whole time adjusting your outfit.

Most importantly, wear something that feels like you. If you never wear dresses, you definitely don’t need to start just because you’re taking beach photos.

Choose lightweight, comfortable fabrics

Between the heat and humidity in North Carolina, lightweight and breathable fabrics are your friend. Linen, cotton, gauze, and other soft, breathable materials will help keep you comfortable while still looking great in photos.

Nothing’s worse than getting jeans wet, sweaty, or sandy and then trying to move around.

Flowy dresses, skirts, and loose button-downs also work really well at the beach because they catch a little movement from the breeze. Just watch out for fabrics that wrinkle easily, show sweat, or become see-through if they get wet.

What shoes should you wear for beach photos?

Barefoot is usually the easiest option for beach photos! Shoes can sink into the sand and make walking awkward, while bare feet feel more natural for walking along the water or playing in the sand.

Bring a pair of sandals or easy slip-on shoes for getting to and from your session, especially during the summer when the sand can get really hot. If you’d rather keep your shoes on, choose something casual that you can comfortably walk through sand in and don’t be afraid to get them a little sandy.

Color palettes to wear for beach photos

You definitely don’t have to stick to white and beige for beach photos. The beach is already a pretty simple backdrop, so you have room to bring in some color.

A few color combinations that work well at the beach:

• Cream + soft blue + tan
• White + denim + navy
• Sage green + cream + warm brown
• Rust + cream + muted blue
• Soft pink + tan + cream
• Olive green + cream + denim
• Warm neutrals + a pop of brighter color

Think about the colors already at the beach: light sand, blue or green water, dune grass, and big open skies. You can stay within those softer coastal colors or choose a warmer, deeper, or brighter color that stands out against them.

What to wear for beach family photos

For kids, comfort is especially important. Pick clothes they can run, sit, play, and get a little sandy in without anyone stressing about it. Avoid anything itchy, stiff, or that they’ll constantly be pulling at.

For larger or extended families, spread your colors throughout the whole group rather than dressing each individual family in its own color. If you’re using blue, cream, and tan, for example, mix all three throughout the group. It’ll look more natural when everyone is together while still giving each person their own look.

If you have little kids, bringing a backup outfit isn’t a bad idea. Sand, snacks, and water have a way of finding them before photos even start.

And we’re not above a little bribery! Plan something fun for after your photos, like getting ice cream, grabbing a treat, or heading somewhere the kids are excited about, like a fun park. Giving them something to look forward to can work wonders, and it makes the whole evening feel more like a fun family outing instead of something they have to get through.

What to wear for couples beach photos

For couples, think about balance rather than matching. If one person is wearing a pattern, brighter color, or statement piece, keeping the other outfit a little simpler can help the two work together without competing.

Most importantly, dress like yourselves. You don’t need to suddenly wear a flowy dress and button-down if that’s not your style. Beach photos can be casual, dressed up, or somewhere in between.

What to bring to your beach photo session

You don’t need to bring much, but a few things can make your beach session a lot easier:

• Water, especially during the warmer months
• Sandals or slip-on shoes for walking across hot sand
• A towel in case you get wet
• Bug spray, especially around the dunes
• A brush or comb for windy days
• Hair ties or clips just in case
• A backup outfit for little kids
• A few snacks for kids if they need a quick break

Try to leave anything you don’t need in the car so you aren’t carrying bags, phones, and extra stuff up and down the beach. And don’t bring anything you wouldn’t want to get a little sandy!