Family in coordinating outfits on a white-sand Gulf Coast beach

What to wear

How to Dress for a Siesta Key Beach Family Photo Shoot

The right outfits can make a beach session feel effortless — and Siesta Key’s bright white sand gives you a gorgeous, neutral canvas to work with. Here’s how to dress the whole family.

March 18, 2024

Coordinate, don’t match

Pick two or three solid colors from a soft pastel palette — light blues, tans, whites, soft pinks, and pale yellows — and let everyone pull from it rather than dressing identically. Solid colors photograph beautifully against the Gulf and won’t fight the sunset light. For a deeper dive, our what-to-wear FAQ covers colors, make-up, and accessories.

Keep it soft and flowy

Loose, flowy garments work well with the sea breeze and add life to your photos. Avoid patterns, stripes, prints, and logos — solid colors work best — and skip bright, bold colors, which detract from faces. Steer clear of anything transparent or that shows undergarment lines, and secure bra straps out of sight.

Go barefoot (or close to it)

Bare feet or simple sandals keep the look relaxed and let the kids be kids. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for little ones — sandy toes are part of the fun.

Dress for the light, not just the look

We shoot in the soft hour before sunset. Lighter tones glow in that warm light; very dark outfits can read heavy. When in doubt, lean light and warm. Getting ready goes beyond the closet, too — our session prep guide covers make-up, hair, and accessories, and our Siesta Key page covers timing and the best stretches of sand.

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Good to know

Quick questions

Should we all wear white?

Whites are part of our suggested palette and look beautiful on the sand. For more depth, mix white with other soft pastels — light blues, tans, or pinks — rather than dressing everyone identically.

What about shoes?

Barefoot is perfect on the sand, but bring simple sandals or flip-flops for daytime sessions — the sand gets hot. Heels and stiff dress shoes are tough (and risky) at the beach.

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