I am thrilled to be sharing some of my best tips for taking stunning family portraits on the beach. 

As a photographer who loves to capture the beauty of life and love, I have been fortunate to take countless beach family portraits that bring joy to my clients. 

I want to share my top tips for taking beach family portraits that will capture the essence of your family’s love and connection. 

Tip #1: Time of Day Matters

The first tip for taking beautiful family portraits on the beach is to pay attention to the time of day. The best time for beach photoshoots is usually early in the morning (sunrise) or late in the afternoon (sunset). 

This is because the lighting is softer and more flattering during these times. Mid-day sun can cast harsh shadows, contribute to squinty faces and even remove details from the sky because it’s so bright. This is of course also dependent on which beach you select.

Tip #2: Dress for the Occasion

When planning your beach family portraits, make sure to dress for the style that suits you the most. Some like the fancy more dramatic look, others like the casual vibe. Whichever you are going for the fabrics and colors you choose matter. Lighter fabrics tend to bring an element of movement to your photos which is GORGEOUS!

If you’re reading this, chances are you like my colorful style so I’m naturally going to say avoid too many neutrals since the goal is to make you pop rather than blend in with the backdrop.

Coordinate your outfits so that they complement each other without being too matchy-matchy. Matching is a look but you want your photos to be timeless and last through the years without giving a glamour shots feel from the 90’s am I right?

And, of course, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes if you must wear shoes. The preferred look is barefoot because, well, it’s the beach!

Tip #3: Keep it Simple

When it comes to beach family portraits, less is definitely more. Keep the focus on your family’s connection and love for each other, rather than distracting backgrounds or props. 

Props can definitely be fun but this session is about your bond as a family. The more you play, explore and engage with one another is what it’s all about. No one has a good time lugging things across a long stretch of sand.

Tip #4: Get Interactive… Play!

Don’t be afraid to play during your beach family portraits. Mix up the play with candid shots of your family walking along the beach, playing in the sand, or splashing in the water. Get in the water! At least ankle deep of course if you’re scared of Jaws like me.  

The more you interact in a natural way with your family members the more magic I can capture for you. Play with your little ones hair, take a moment to embrace your partner, hold hands, boop little noses, search for sea shells. Let’s capture close-up shots of individual family members, as well as group shots that showcase your family’s bond. (That’s my specialty!)

Tip #5: Have Fun and Be Yourself

Last but not least, the most important tip for taking beautiful family portraits on the beach is to have fun and be yourself. 

Relax, laugh, and enjoy the moment with your family. 

When you’re in front of my lens, I will capture your natural interactions and emotions, which will result in stunning and authentic family portraits.

There you have it, friends! My top 5 tips for taking beautiful family portraits on the beach, and we have so many here in Southern California! 

Remember, the key is to have fun, be yourself, and trust your photographer to capture the beauty of your family’s love and connection. 

If you’re in the Orange County or San Diego area, I would love to help you create stunning beach family portraits that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.