Outfits For Beach Family Pictures in Hawaii -

kim eberthawaiilife, captured with aloha

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Hawaii’s breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant natural colors create the perfect backdrop for capturing cherished Hawaii family memories. Oahu, in particular, offers a variety of stunning locations where families can take beautiful photos, from serene beaches to majestic mountain settings. Whether you’re looking for the perfect sunrise or sunset, these locations provide unique opportunities to preserve your family’s special moments.

Planning Your Family Beach Portrait Session

Planning a family beach portrait session can be a delightful and memorable experience, but it does require some thoughtful preparation to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here are a few tips to help you plan your session:

Decide on a Location: Choose a beach that is convenient for your family and offers a stunning backdrop for your photos. Consider the time of day and the lighting conditions that will work best for your session. The right location can enhance the natural beauty of your family portraits.
Choose a Date and Time: Schedule your session during the golden hour, which is the hour just before sunset, for the most flattering light. This time of day provides a soft, warm glow that can make your family photos look magical.
Plan Your Outfits: Select clothing that is comfortable, breathable, and suitable for the beach environment. Think about a cohesive color palette and textures that will work well together and complement the natural surroundings. Soft pastel colors and warm neutrals are always a great choice.
Prepare Your Family: Ensure everyone is well-rested, fed, and hydrated before the session. Bring along snacks, water, and sunscreen to keep everyone comfortable during the photo shoot. A happy and relaxed family will make for the best photos.

By following these tips, you can create a family beach portrait session that captures the essence of your beautiful family against the stunning Hawaiian backdrop.

General Tips For Hawaii Beach Outfits

Pastel Tones: Soft pastel colors infuse beach photos with a dreamy, ethereal quality, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and elegance. These hues—gentle shades of pink, peach, lavender, mint, and soft blue—capture the subtle beauty of Hawaiian landscapes, reflecting the soft glow of the early morning or the fading light of dusk.

Warm Neutrals: Shades like cream, sand, and oat create a warm, beachy vibe that blends beautifully with the natural tones of the ocean, sky, and sandy shore. These soft, earthy hues have a timeless quality that complements the coastal setting, evoking a sense of calm and elegance.

3-Color Palette: When dressing the family for a family shoot, sticking to a palette of three complementary colors can create a cohesive and visually appealing look that brings everyone together while allowing each person’s style to shine. This approach avoids the overly “matched” appearance and instead encourages a harmonious blend of colors and textures that feels natural and effortless.

Outfit Ideas For Specific Scenarios

Maternity Photos

When planning a family photo session, it's important to consider the specific scenario and choose outfits that complement the setting and theme. If you’re doing a maternity shoot, embrace clothing that showcases the beauty and uniqueness of this special time. Choose outfits that highlight your baby bump, as it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the journey of motherhood and capture the anticipation of your new arrival:

Show Off the Belly: Don’t be afraid to wear something fitted or designed to highlight your baby bump. This is a special time to celebrate your body and the incredible journey it’s going through!

Flowy and Sheer Materials: Flowy dresses in sheer fabrics are an exquisite choice for maternity photos, especially in a coastal setting. These light, ethereal materials embrace your shape while adding gentle movement that beautifully highlights your baby bump.

Rocky Locations

Some Hawaiian beaches have rocky landscapes that add a dramatic, natural contrast, creating a stunning backdrop that emphasizes both strength and beauty. When dressing for these spots, choose light, neutral tones—like cream, soft blush, or sand—that stand out against the darker, rugged rocks:

Sheer White or Cream: Light, neutral tones stand out beautifully against dark rocks, creating a striking contrast that adds depth and visual interest to maternity photos. Shades like ivory, soft beige, and pale gray not only complement natural surroundings but also enhance the glow of your skin, making you the focal point of the image.

Rust or Red: Rust or deep red tones are a perfect choice for maternity photos on Hawaiian beaches with rocky landscapes, bringing a sense of warmth and vibrancy that contrasts beautifully with the dark, rugged stones.

Mountains or Forest Backdrops

If you’re venturing into a mountainous or forest area, consider incorporating nature-inspired colors into your outfits. Shades of green and sage blend wonderfully with the Hawaiian flora, giving the photos a harmonious, nature-inspired look that feels connected to the surroundings.

Ocean Shots

If you plan to take photos in the water, make sure to bring along swim attire that complements your chosen color palette. Lighter colors and solid patterns are a great choice for ocean shots, as they’re simple yet visually appealing in the water.

When planning Hawaii family photos, consider how the colors and patterns of your swim attire will look against the ocean backdrop.

Haku Lei: A Tropical Touch

A Haku Lei is a beautiful Hawaiian flower crown that not only adds a unique and authentic tropical touch to your look but also keeps hair in place on windy beach days, which are frequent along Hawaii’s coasts. It’s a simple addition that creates a romantic, exotic element to your beach photos while keeping those flyaways under control.

When planning outfits for your beach family photos in Hawaii, think about color harmony, natural tones, and flowy materials. Hawaii’s beaches are beautiful year-round, and with a bit of thought in your attire, you’ll be able to capture memories that feel as dreamy and beautiful as the location itself.

Where to Shop for Beach Family Photo Outfits

When it comes to shopping for beach family photo outfits, there are many great options to choose from. Here are a few of our favorite places to shop:

Free People: This bohemian-inspired clothing store offers a wide range of beautiful, flowy clothing that is perfect for beach photos. Their pieces are stylish and comfortable, ideal for capturing the relaxed vibe of a beach photo session.
Nothing Fits: Specializing in comfortable, stylish clothing, Nothing Fits offers a variety of options that are perfect for family photos. Their pieces are designed to be both fashionable and practical, making them a great choice for beach photos.
Rylee & Cru: This children’s clothing store has a wide range of adorable, stylish outfits that are perfect for beach photos. Their collections often feature soft pastel colors and simple patterns that look great in family portraits.
Zara: A popular clothing store with a wide range of stylish, affordable clothing, Zara is perfect for family photos. Their collections include options for the entire family, making it easy to coordinate outfits for your beach photo session.

Remember to keep your outfits simple, comfortable, and suitable for the beach environment. Avoid wearing clothing that is too formal or dressy, as it may not be comfortable or practical for a beach photo session. With the right outfits, you can create beautiful family photos that capture the essence of your time in Hawaii.

Create everlasting memories in Hawaii
Reach out to Kim Ebert Photography today!

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Kim Ebert is an Oahu couple photographer specializing in captivating Hawaii couple photography.

Kim Ebert is an Oahu family photographer specializing in captivating Hawaii family photography.