As a Long Island family photographer who photographs primarily at the beach, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is “what colors should we wear for our family beach photos?” This is an important thing to consider as you plan your upcoming shoot because it really determines the vibe and aesthetic of your images. To choose your outfit’s, you will need to consider the location, your family’s personality/style and your photographer’s editing style. I always provide my clients with a wardrobe guide after booking and I am available every step of the way to help plan their wardrobe. If you are looking for some quick tips in regard to choosing your family’s wardrobe, here are a few factors to consider:

What colors look best on you? Wear a color that is flattering with your hair and skin tone. No matter the trendy color is, you should always opt for a color that is suitable for you.
What colors match your home decor? If you plan on framing your family photos, think about which color palette will go best with your home decor. You don’t want a bright red dress in your gallery wall if the rest of your decor is neutral.
Which colors do you feel most confident in? I want you to feel your best, so wear a color that makes you feel confident! However, you should always defer to your photographer’s editing style here. For example, overly saturated colors like reds, corals and birght turquoise do not work well with my editing style.
Use an anchor piece to determine your family’s color palette I always suggest starting with moms. Is there something she wants to wear? Once you have the anchor outfit established, you will plan around it and choose other outfits that have patterns and colors that complement it.
What is the photo shoot location? The beaches at which I schedule my sessions are mostly white with very little dune grass. I will use the ocean as a backdrop the rocks of the jetty, the white sand and of course the sunset. You want to consider this when choosing your colors. If you want a monochromatic look, going for a soft neutral palette of tans and ivory is the way to go. However, if you want a pop of color, earth tones would look wonderful, as would coastal blues, pale pinks and soft greens. No matter how much you want a pop of color, I never recommend overly saturated colors. They do not align with my editing style and will color cast with the bright sun at sunset. Instead, go with pink and warm colors because they really pop against the white sand and blue water. If you prefer blue, coastal colors can work well too.

Overall, I always recommend choosing colors that complement each other. Everyone doesn’t need to wear the exact same colors (for example, white shorts with blue shirts) because that can look too matchy-matchy. You want it to be cohesive and natural looking. Below are some examples of color palettes from past clients that worked really well for beach photos in Long Beach, New York.