Few things make families nervous about their Destin family photos quite like outfits. The good news: dressing for a beach family session is simpler than Pinterest makes it look. After photographing hundreds of families along the Emerald Coast, I’ve narrowed down exactly what to wear (and what to skip) so your family looks polished, cohesive, and timeless in every frame.
The Golden Rule: Coordinate, Don’t Match
The biggest outfit mistake families make is matching everyone in identical white shirts and khaki shorts. While that look has its place, it can feel dated and flat in photographs. Instead, build a coordinated color palette of 3–4 complementary shades and let each family member wear a different combination of those colors. The result feels intentional, modern, and beautifully balanced.
Best Colors for Destin Family Beach Photos
The Emerald Coast has a very specific color story — turquoise water, sugar-white sand, soft sea oats, and warm sunset skies. Outfits that echo and complement those tones photograph beautifully. The colors I recommend most often:
The most flattering palette for Destin family beach photos includes cream, sand, warm white, dusty blue, sage green, soft terracotta, taupe, and muted blush. These shades reflect the natural Emerald Coast scenery, look gorgeous in golden-hour light, and won’t compete with the breathtaking water and sky behind you.
Fabrics That Move Beautifully
Beach photos involve breeze, walking, twirling, and chasing kids — so fabric choice matters as much as color. Look for soft, flowy materials like linen, cotton blends, gauze, and chiffon. These fabrics catch the wind beautifully and create movement in your photos. Skip heavy denim, stiff polyester, and crisp button-downs that wrinkle in humidity.
What to Wear: Specific Outfit Ideas
For moms: A flowing maxi dress in cream, sage, or dusty blue is almost always a winner. Look for soft sleeves, an A-line silhouette, and a hem that catches the breeze.
For dads: Linen pants or chinos in sand or stone, paired with a soft button-down in white, light blue, or oatmeal. Roll the sleeves to the elbow for a relaxed, polished look.
For kids: Skip the cartoon characters and graphic tees. Little girls look adorable in flowy dresses in coordinating tones; little boys do well in linen shorts with a soft button-down or henley.
For teens: Give them options within your palette and let them choose. A teen who feels good in their outfit will photograph far better than one stuffed into something they hate.
For babies: Simple linen rompers, knit bonnets, or a soft cream dress photograph timelessly. Avoid bulky shoes for non-walkers — bare feet are best.
What to Avoid
A few things consistently don’t photograph well on the beach: large logos and graphic prints, neon colors, fluorescent whites that blow out in bright Florida sun, all-black outfits that absorb heat and feel heavy, busy patterns that clash with sea oats and dunes, and brand-new outfits that haven’t been washed (stiff fabrics never move right).
Should You Wear Shoes?
On the beach? Almost never. Bare feet are the move — they look natural, they’re easy for kids, and they keep the focus on faces and connection. If you’re worried about sand crabs, slip on simple sandals for walking and kick them off for photos.
The Final Touch: Accessories and Details
A few thoughtful accessories add polish without overwhelming the look. Consider soft sun hats, simple jewelry in warm metals, a delicate hair ribbon for little girls, or a linen wrap for chilly evening sessions. Keep everything in your color palette and avoid anything that pulls focus from faces.
Get Your Personalized Style Guide
Every family that books with Destin Photographers receives a detailed styling guide with outfit inspiration boards tailored to your session’s location and time of day. Reach out today to plan your Destin family session — let’s make sure your family looks and feels their absolute best.
