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Family Beach Photography Tips from a Pro (Who’s Seen It All!)

Ah, the beach family photoshoot. The dream: soft golden natural light, perfectly coordinating outfits, kids frolicking in the waves, and everyone looking effortlessly happy. The reality? Sand in places you don’t want to talk about, kids having a meltdown over seashells, and at least one family member squinting in every shot. But don’t worry! As a pro photographer (and seasoned chaos coordinator), I’ve got all my top tips and best advice you need to get those dreamy, frame-worthy beach portraits—without losing your mind.

My name is Alison Winterroth, and I am an underwater photographer in the Tampa area. I have 13 years of business experience and absolutely love shooting at the beach. I have a ton of experience photographing families and children in the water and on the shore. I wanted to put this together to help families have an excellent experience for their beachy portraits—whether they have hired a professional photographer or are DIYing it themselves!

1. What to Wear (Hint: leave the white shirts and jeans at home)

Sorry guys- I’m here to be blunt: wearing the same outfit is beyond outdated (unless you’re doing it ironically). The key to looking put-together without being too matchy-matchy is coordinating, not copying. Think soft, beachy tones in neutral colors: whites, creams, blues, pastels. Flowy fabrics look great in the breeze, and natural textures like linen and cotton keep things relaxed. Barefoot? Yes, please! Just avoid busy patterns and neon colors unless you want to look like a tourist brochure from 1998. My personal rule is one pattern for every three family members- but of course, rules are meant to be broken (except for the matching clothing rule- don’t break that one), so if you find a perfect floral dress that goes with your daughter’s polka dotted skirt- do it! Also, I think bright colors are great at the beach too- maybe more for an early afternoon shoot where the water is aqua, and you can play off those natural elements.

Also, consider the environment. Light-colored clothing can get stained easily if your beach has darker sand or lots of seaweed. Bring a backup outfit, especially for the little ones who are guaranteed to take an unexpected dip.

2. Finding the Right Location (No, not next to the Grandpa in a Speedo)

Look for a spot with a clean horizon, pretty dunes, or interesting rocks—basically, somewhere that screams magazine cover and not Spring Break chaos. Quiet beaches or tucked-away coves work best for a photo shoot. If you’re at a crowded beach, walk a little further down the shore to escape the background of sunbathers and boogie boarders. I’m located in Tampa, FL, so finding a quiet beach can be challenging, but it is definitely doable.

Consider the tide schedule! Low tide often provides a beautiful, reflective wet sand effect, while high tide might leave you barely any room to work with and bring lots of seaweed to the sand. Check ahead so you’re not scrambling last minute.

Pro Tip: Spend some time looking at aerial views of the beach you want to visit. By zooming in, you can find local spots, secret parking, and pretty views just by researching beforehand.

3. What to Leave Behind (Sand + toddlers + sticky snacks = disaster)

Skip the giant tote full of unnecessary items. Here’s what you don’t need: snacks that attract seagulls (trust me, they will find you) and stain faces, anything super valuable (the ocean is a thief), and shoes—because, let’s be real, you’ll end up carrying them anyway.

Leave behind items that can be distracting in photos, such as oversized sunglasses, cellphones bulging out of your pocket, or watches. Simple, natural accessories help keep the focus on your beautiful faces instead of oversized logos or sunglasses’ reflections.

Please help protect our beachy beauty by leaving your confetti, streamers, and balloons at home. They are impossible to clean up and are often left behind as trash on the beach. Animals see these items as food (floating deflated balloons look exactly like jellyfish to a sea turtle) and can eat them. They do kill lots of our wildlife. Respect our beautiful landscape.

4. What to Bring (Besides Your Best Beachy Attitude)

A light blanket or towel for seated shots
Baby wipes (because young children + sand = instant mess)
A hairbrush (wind can be brutal!)
Water (hydration is key, folks)
A change of clothes if anyone has a history of diving headfirst into the waves at random moments
A compact mirror to check for sand-stache moments before snapping pics
Bug spray if you’re in an area prone to sand fleas, no seeums or mosquitoes (basically any beach in Florida)

5. Timing is Everything (Yes, Sunrise is Worth It!)

The best time of day for beach family portraits is the golden hour—either early morning or about an hour before sunset. Midday sun has harsh shadows, unflattering, and creates circles under your eyes that just don’t look right. If morning isn’t your thing, sunset light is magical and way more forgiving. At our beaches, the trick is to get there before the masses (or somehow have some secret beach nobody else can get to), so I HIGHLY recommend sunrise. It might be a rough morning, but the photographs are totally worth it. If golden hour is totally impossible for your beach photo session, I would avoid midday sun at whatever cost. Photographing at mid morning or late afternoon can still be a good time to shoot.

Just a note: on the Gulf Coast, the sun will set over the water and rise over the land, and the opposite is true for the Atlantic Coast. Just be aware of which side you are on and what kind of images you will get from sunrise or sunset (will the sun be behind you at sunrise?)!

If your schedule allows, consider a weekday shoot when the beaches are less crowded. Fewer distractions mean a more relaxed, focused session for the entire family, which can be a game-changer when photographing kids.

6. Posing Like a Pro (or at least not like awkward mannequins)

At my sessions, we will take some posed photos for the Holiday cards, but mostly, we will take candids and semi-posed shots. My goal is to be silly so that you guys are busy laughing at ME and not worrying if you are in the perfect photograph position.

Movement is your friend! Walk, run, spin, play—candid shots always win.
Avoid the lineup. Instead of standing stiffly in a row, interact naturally—hug, hold hands, throw a kid in the air (gently, of course). I tell clients that each person should be touching someone else in their portrait so it looks natural, but everyone is connected.
Keep it real. Forced smiles are apparent. Laugh, tell a joke, or let the kids be silly. The best photos capture personality, not perfection.
Utilize props if needed. A simple beach ball, a small picnic setup, or even a cozy beach chair can add a natural, fun element to your session. However, props shouldn’t be the session’s focus, so we usually leave them behind if they don’t have meaning.

7. Bribery Works (Shh, I won’t tell- heck, I might even be the briber)

Promise a post-session ice cream trip or toy if you have little ones (or a reluctant partner). Bribery works like a charm every time.

And don’t be afraid to bring snacks for kids who need a little extra encouragement. Just make sure they’re mess-free—sticky hands and chocolate faces do not photograph well! Also, don’t give the treats in the middle of shooting- your little ones will want nothing else, and half your images will show chewing or food in their mouths- something I cannot edit away.

I can tell you what doesn’t work (even though it’s tempting): You hurl threats under your breath while gritting your teeth and telling everyone to SMILE—or else. Let me get everyone to relax and smile, or if you are tripoding it, play a silly game that distracts everyone. But that only works with you guys (the parents); relax as well. No child wants to smile if they are told they will be in trouble if they don’t behave.

If I had a dollar for every time, someone told me, “How on earth did we get these photos when I thought we were on the Hot Mess Express?” I would be rich. A good photog will know how to bring the fun!

8. Expect the Unexpected (And Roll With It)

Someone will get wet. Someone will end up with a sandy diaper. The wind will not care about your perfectly styled hair. But you know what? Those little imperfect moments make the best memories. The best beach photos are the ones that feel like you—happy, a little messy, and totally full of love. Even better, the happiness and carefree feelings will show on your face, and your images will be gorgeous- I guarantee it.

Bonus tip: If you have a furry family member, bring them along! Dogs can add an extra dose of fun and spontaneity to the session. Just make sure they’re allowed on the beach, that you have treats to keep their attention, AND that your session doesn’t turn into a one-hour disaster where you are more worried about your pup!

So go forth, embrace the chaos, and get those stunning, joy-filled beach portraits. And if all else fails… Photoshop exists for a reason. 😉

Want to know a secret? These are some of my favorite beaches to take clients in the Tampa area: