Family Photoshoot
Style Guide

What To Wear

Do’s & Dont’s

Coastal Neutrals

Family walking on the beach at sunset, holding hands, with gentle waves in the background.
A color palette with eight shades ranging from beige to dark brown.

Soft creams, warm taupes, whites, and rich browns that pair perfectly with the sand and ocean. “Coastal Neutrals” gives a timeless, relaxed look that shines in golden hour light.

Coastal Breeze

A family of six, including two adults and four children, standing on a sandy beach near the ocean during sunset, all dressed in casual summer clothing and smiling.
A vertical infographic with five sections in shades of blue and white, lacking specific details or objects.

A fresh mix of coastal blues, soft white, and airy neutrals that feel light and effortless. These colors capture the calm beauty of the shoreline, perfect for sessions that embrace a soft, airy aesthetic with just the right pop of color.

Coastal Sage

Family photo of seven people standing on the beach with the ocean in the background, dressed in light-colored summer clothing.
Six vertical color swatches in beige, dark gray, white, green, light brown, and light blue

A calm mix of soft ivory, crisp white, muted sage, warm sand, and seafoam mist. Coastal Sage blends earthy warmth with cool coastal tones, creating an effortlessly timeless look that photographs beautifully in any beachside setting.

Coastal Harmony

A family standing on the beach with the ocean and cloudy sky in the background, smiling at the camera.
A vertical timeline with five color-coded sections: light blue, pink, light blue, light beige, and dark beige.

A fresh blend of sky blues, soft blush, sandy beige, and crisp white. This palette brings a relaxed yet refined coastal feel, perfect for creating timeless, airy portraits.

Coastal Earth

A family of six standing on a sandy beach near the ocean, smiling and posing for a photo with sea waves and a bird flying in the background.
This image displays a series of vertical color blocks in various shades: cream, tan, light blue, mauve, and dark brown.

A soft mix of creams, sandy tans, sea-glass greens, and rich cocoa tones. This palette captures the calm elegance of the coast, perfect for creating timeless, natural portraits by the water.

    • Choose coordinating colors over identical matching.

    • Wear season-appropriate clothing (light fabrics for summer, layers for cooler sessions).

    • Opt for comfortable, well-fitted clothes so you can move naturally.

    • Bring a backup outfit for kids (accidents happen).

    • Choose timeless over trendy if you want your photos to age well.

    • Think about movement. Flowing dresses, skirts, and loose hair look beautiful in motion.

    • Plan for the wind. If it’s a beach shoot, bring clips or hair ties just in case.

    • Hair: Styled but not stiff, natural movement photographs best.

    • Makeup: Slightly heavier than everyday, but avoid heavy shimmer.

    • Grooming: Clean nails, remove chipped polish, trim facial hair.

    • Avoid logos, large text, and brand names (distracting).

    • Skip neon colors that can cast color onto skin.

    • Avoid heavily wrinkled or overly casual clothing (e.g., gym shorts).

    • Don’t wait until the day of to try on outfits. Wrinkles, fit issues, or clashing colors are harder to fix last minute.

    • Don’t mix too many bold patterns, they compete for attention.

    • Avoid shiny polyester, overly reflective satin, cheap tulle (can photograph harsh).

    • Avoid large, bold prints that dominate the frame.

    • Avoid sunglasses in photos (unless intentional) and chunky watches that stand out.