Beach Photo Attire

I am always getting asked about what we wear for our beach photos, I thought this might be a good time to address all the questions because many of you are taking family beach vacations this summer. With a little pre planning you should be able to pack clothes that coordinate with each other before you go.  This year I had several people comment on our attire for this years shot.  I have to say, we already had everything in our closets so I didn't have to buy anything new, which is even better in my book!! I started with my dress, I found this sweet thing at Marshall's last year it is made by Max Studio.  You could find dresses similar to this just about anywhere this time of year.  I then when to my hubby's closet because lets face it, he has the least amount of clothing to work with!  This shirt was a purchase from Kohls a few years back.  Khaki shorts are always a must for our photos, they just work with everything and nothing says beachy like khaki!  My son Dayton had this cool plaid shirt from Aero and even though it was a plaid it had all the colors that I was looking for so I went for it and love how it looked.  Little Myah's outfit was also from last year, I had purchased this swimsuit cover up in Seaside at Ducky's toy shop it is made by Karmal Living.  I love looking at the clothes while we are on vacation, especially summer-y stuff because we can't buy that stuff all year long up here in the north.  The head wrap was purchased from the same place, I love how it keeps her fly aways from flying away while we are on windy beach.  Which also reminds me to tell you to basically shellac your hair with hairspray before you head out otherwise you will not like the way your bangs are flying in your face the whole time.  I never have taken our photo with us wearing "color" but I was really pleased at how we complemented the water and sky. A few other hints that I have learned the hard way are:  Take photos on a not so bright evening or morning, shadows can be really tricky and we tend to be squinting more on bright days.  I like photos when the water is a bit calmer too.  Look for a spot where there are not too many visitors, get as close to the water as you can and have your photographer be at a 45 degree angle shooting you so mostly water is in your background, not shell seekers!  I take most of our photos on the last night that we are there, we have great tans and everone looks relaxed and happy!  Go out of your comfort zone when looking for something to wear, I never wear long, strapless dresses but this one is so comfortable and I really wanted to cover the large scar on my leg in case you could see it in photos, I also think it makes me look thinner than I really am, who doesn't like that!!! Ha!  Just be casual, my favorite photos of our family are like this one below, not really posing at all, just being us.  Keep it simple, I could have put a cool new necklace on but I really wanted to keep the relaxed feel so I opted not to fuss myself up too much.   

Spring Break 2012

 I took these of Myah a few days into our vacation , I usually get more of her than Dayton because she is a more willing participant!  For now at least!  This was a skirt I found at a second hand store a few years back it is a Children's Place brand.  I just paired it with a simple white cami. 

 I love just letting her play in the ocean!

 Our friend Abbie was along on this trip so I caught one of her doing a jump, love her simple jeans and  cami too!

 I also knew that I was going to trash this skirt, I wanted her to get in the water, I have done this before when she was really little too and just love how it looked!

 Bare feet are a must in beachy photos!!! No shoes!!!!

 Make sure to get one of just you and your sweetie pie! 

 And some of just the kiddos playing around! I have become an orange freak lately! Love that color!

 I always take this shot every year, I love looking back and seeing how much they have grown!

 I always can find the handiwork of some creative kid on the beach so I try to snap a few of a sandcastle while we are shooting. 

 Spring Break 2011

Same outfit for Myah last year it still fit this year so I used it again! 

 I also took thise of just her as well, I paired a Target bathing suit with a sweet tulle skirt borrowed from my niece.  I loved using her little Asian umbrella as a prop. 

Spring Break 2010

 This was my khaki and white year, you can always go with this option, it is classic. 

 White polos for the guys with khaki shorts.

 Old Navy ruffle dress for Myah.

I love using a few props, like these pencil starfish. 

Lake Michigan 2008

You don't have to travel to the ocean to get great beach photos.  We live in Michigan and are blessed with miles of gorgeous beaches with the Great Lakes. This sweet eyelet dress was from the Gap, they always have a sweet spring white dress each year. 

Again, just the kids being the kids, I love this one of Dayton holding Myah's hand, even though you can't see his face you can feel so much emotion.

I hope I have given you some good ideas, go looking through your closets and see what coordinates, it doesn't have to be all matchy matchy to look great! 

Send me a postcard!!!