A family beach session is the perfect way to capture beautiful memories, but we know it can feel overwhelming to plan! Here are five easy tips to help make your session smooth, fun, and stress-free.
1. Pick the Perfect Time
The best beach photos happen during golden hour—shortly after sunrise or before sunset. The lighting is soft and flattering, plus it’s cooler and less crowded than midday.
2. Coordinate Outfits, but Keep It Simple
Choose soft, neutral, or pastel tones that complement the beach. Flowy dresses, linen shirts, and bare feet always look great! Light blues, creams, soft pinks, and earthy tones blend beautifully with the natural surroundings, creating a timeless look. Adding layers like a cardigan or a lightweight scarf can bring depth and movement to your photos. Textured fabrics such as linen, knits, or lace photograph beautifully, adding subtle detail without distraction. Most importantly, choose comfortable outfits that allow movement so your family can relax, play, and enjoy the moment!
3. Prepare the Kids (and Yourselves!)
Get your kids excited by talking to them beforehand about how fun the session will be! Let them know it’s all about playing, exploring, and making memories together. For older kids, a little incentive (hello, post-session ice cream!) can go a long way in keeping them engaged. For the little ones, bringing a small snack, a favorite toy, or allowing them to take breaks to run and play between shots helps keep things light and natural. Most importantly, parents—embrace the chaos, laugh through the unexpected, and enjoy the moment!
4. Expect a Little Breeze & Movement
The beach can be breezy, so embrace the movement! Wind-swept hair and flowing dresses add a natural, effortless beauty to your photos. Instead of worrying about every strand being in place, focus on the moment—walking along the shoreline, twirling with your little ones, cuddling close, or playing in the sand. Movement brings life to your photos, making them feel genuine and full of joy. Trust the process, have fun and relax!
5. Trust Your Photographer & Have Fun!
You don’t need to worry about posing or making everything “just right.” Trust your photographer to guide you and capture the best moments naturally. The best photos come when you focus on each other, not the camera. Laugh, snuggle, splash in the waves, and just enjoy this time together. The more fun you have, the more magical your photos will be!
A beach session is about capturing your family as you are—happy, connected, and full of love. Trust the process, enjoy the experience, and you’ll walk away with memories that will last a lifetime. 🌊✨
Melanie Ann Photography offers lifestyle and portrait photography for families, children, couples and high-school seniors. I offer a stress-free, fun and laid-back professional portrait experience along with beautiful emotive photos that you will treasure forever. Please consider me for your family and milestone photography needs in Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, Titusville, Cocoa, Port St. John, Mims, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Viera, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, and the Metro Orlando area. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for recent sneak peaks and special announcements.
Please contact Melanie Ann Photography at info@photographybymelanieann.com if you need a family photographer, senior photographer, couples photographer or maternity photographer. Let's capture all those special moments!