What you wear for your photo session can really define how your photos will look + feel - I realize this can be the most stressful part of planning a photo session for my clients! But I'm here to help + promise I will help prepare you so you feel confident going into your session.
The famous emerald color waters of the Gulf Coast + 30A Florida beaches make for the most stunning backdrop for photos. After years of photographing couples + families against these crystal clear blue waters, sugar-white sands, + insanely beautiful cotton candy sunset skies, I've learned what colors, textures, + style of clothing makes my clients really pop + pull together the most beautiful beach portraits.
When working with me, every client receives my style guide with in depth tips + guidance to pulling together their outfits for their photo session - as I'm preparing for another busy season on 30A, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to include my top styling tips for your 30A beach photo session, so let's jump right into it!
1. MIX NEUTRAL BASES WITH SOFT PASTEL POPS OF COLOR
I know you've probably heard this tip before if you've had your photos taken by a professional photographer, but neutrals are always a great base + come across best during the editing process + in most environments! This still applies to beach photos, however, I really encourage clients to mix in at least one soft pastel color to really make your photos pop + add dimension.
My favorite soft pastel colors to mix in with your neutral bases are light blues, sage greens, + pale pinks - think of all the colors you see from the gulf coast emerald waters + sunset skies. You'll see those blues + greens in the water + pinks in the sky! These soft pastels will really tie everything together + compliment the beach so well.
For your neutral bases, I prefer light tans, whites, + grays. Rich browns + olive green tones can work too as neutral bases, just remember that will pull in a more bold + contrasted look for your photos rather than a lighter feel. Avoid selecting only all light or only all dark colors, or everyone wearing the same color like all white tops with tan bottoms - slight contrasting colors, mixing lights with darks, will ensure there's dimension in your photos!
2. CHOOSE PIECES THAT ARE FLOWY + TEXTURED
Finding pieces that have movement will add so much dimension to your photos, especially as we play with different photo prompts. A longer dress or two piece matching set that is super flowy rather than fitted will give you more room to elevate + try different poses + provide more mobility + comfort for shots like sitting or running around in the sand.
The texture of the fabrics you choose is also so important + can help add interest + depth to your photos. Free People has so many women's dresses in the best textures for beach photos that I always highly recommend to my clients. Their pieces move so well on camera + are so ethereal which works great for my style of photography + at the beach. Crochet or knit pieces are also a great choice to add texture to your photos.
3. START WITH THE LADIES first, ESPECIALLY MOM
I always suggest starting with mom's or the ladies' outfits first, then building everyone else's attire around them. Typically, we're the pickiest with colors + the fit of clothing, + you don't want to box yourself in a corner with your color by putting together everyone else's outfits first. Figure out what color or dress length + fit you want first, then build the rest of the family or your spouse around this. If you decide you'd like to be in a neutral, add a pop of color to your husband's button down, or your son or daughter's outfit + vice versa! If you opt for a pop of color, try dressing the rest of the family in mostly neutrals that compliment you.
4. Avoid Graphics, obvious Logos, Tight patterns, + toss the fitness watches
This is pretty self explanatory, but avoiding any large graphics with bold words, logos, tight patterns, or embroidered emblems can take away from the emotional connection in your photos + date them pretty quickly. This also goes for fitness watches! Nothing kills the vibe of a shoot more than large, chunky fitness watches. I know we love them for everyday wear, but I promise you won't regret tossing them off for your photos. Don't worry about any suntan lines from where you watch usually sits, I'll be sure to edit those out if they show up significantly in the editing process!
5. Once you think you have everything picked out, throw it all together
This is the fun part - a puzzle I love to help my clients figure out! Once you have settled on what you want to wear, + you've gotten your spouse's or family's outfits in, set them all out on a blank space like a table or bed. If you have more than one option, start to move pieces around that you have into different configurations + snap a few photos on your phone of each set all together that you like. This will probably help eliminate things that don't go well together pretty quickly, or help you realize you might want to swap something out. Don't wait until you are packing to do this! As soon as you have everything in, do this step asap. That way you have time to fill in any gaps or swap things out in advance of your session to eliminate any stress! When in doubt, always feel free to email me with each of your options you have for a second opinion!
