(Especially If You’re Postpartum… or Simply Feeling Like Yourself Has Changed) If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably looked in your closet before family photos and thought… “Nothing fits quite right.” “Maybe I’ll wait until I lose a few pounds.” “I’ll book photos next year.” Can I let you in on a little secret? Next […]
What to Wear for Beach Family Photos
(Especially If You’re Postpartum… or Simply Feeling Like Yourself Has Changed)
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably looked in your closet before family photos and thought…
“Nothing fits quite right.”
“Maybe I’ll wait until I lose a few pounds.”
“I’ll book photos next year.”
Can I let you in on a little secret?
Next year never comes. We as mother’s will always find reasons to postpone jumping in those photos. I have done it myself, in fact we did not have ours last year because I was not feeling picture ready and had too much going on. And I regret it. And as I type this I realize I have no session on the books for my kiddos and I this year, so that is something I need to work on.
But, whether you’ve recently welcomed a baby, are navigating a new season of life, or simply don’t feel like your “old self” anymore, I promise you this: your children aren’t waiting for a different version of you. They’re waiting for you.
And the truth is, this isn’t just about postpartum.
As women, our bodies are constantly changing. We go through pregnancy, aging, stress, illness, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, menopause, fitness journeys, and seasons where life simply leaves little time to focus on ourselves. Even if you’ve never had children, chances are you’ve looked in the mirror at some point and wished something were different.
I’ve been there too. I am here.
As a photographer—and a mom myself—I know how easy it is to put ourselves last. We spend so much time making sure everyone else looks perfect that we forget we deserve to feel beautiful too.
The good news? The right dress can make an incredible difference—not because it changes your body, but because it helps you feel comfortable and confident in the body you have today.
Because this season deserves to be remembered too.
Your children won’t remember whether you were five pounds heavier or lighter. They won’t notice the stretch marks, the soft tummy, the arms you worried about, or the laugh lines around your eyes.
They’ll remember that you were there.
They’ll remember the hugs, the laughter, the way you held their hand as the waves rolled in, and the feeling of being loved.
So don’t wait for the “perfect” body.
Don’t wait until life slows down.
Don’t wait until you feel completely confident.
Because ready rarely comes.
Book the session.
Wear the dress.
Hold your babies.
Years from now, these photographs won’t remind your children of what you looked like—they’ll remind them of what it felt like to be loved by you. That is what I want when your children look at these photos. To remember the joy and feel the love. When you look at them I want you to remember this season of life with your littles because it goes way too fast. Trust Me!
What Makes a Dress Photograph Beautifully?
When I help clients choose outfits, I’m looking less at what’s trendy and more at how a dress moves.
The beach naturally adds motion with the breeze, and flowing fabrics create beautiful movement that makes images feel timeless.
Some of my favorite features include:
- Flowy maxi or midi lengths
- Smocked bodices
- Empire or wrap waists
- Soft cotton gauze, linen, eyelet, or chiffon
- Flutter or puff sleeves or sleeves
- Neutral colors or soft earthy tones or pastels
These styles flatter nearly every body type while allowing you to move comfortably with your children.
For My Postpartum Mamas…
First, give yourself grace.
Your body grew a human.
It is still healing, changing, and doing incredible things.
If you’re nursing, recovering from a C-section, or simply feeling different than you expected, know that you’re not alone. Many of the moms you see in my portfolio quietly shared those same feelings before their session.
The dresses I often recommend have gentle structure without feeling tight. They skim instead of cling. They highlight your waist without emphasizing areas you may be self-conscious about.
Most importantly—they let you breathe, move, play, snuggle, and simply enjoy your family.
Colors That Always Photograph Beautifully
I recommend sticking with soft, timeless colors like:
- Cream
- Ivory
- Sand
- Oatmeal
- Sage
- Dusty Blue
- Soft Terracotta
- Muted Olive
- Warm Taupe
- Blush
These tones complement the beach without competing with it and create galleries that remain timeless for years to come.
Want to Go a Little Bolder?
Absolutely! Rich, earthy colors can be stunning on the beach, especially during golden hour or fall sessions. The key is choosing colors with depth rather than overly bright, neon, or highly saturated tones.
Some of my favorite bolder options include:
- Rust
- Red
- Cinnamon
- Burnt Orange
- Deep Terracotta
- Coral
- Olive Green
- Emerald Green
- Deep Teal
- Slate Blue
- Navy
- Dusty Plum
- Mauve
- Mustard
- Yellow
- Chocolate Brown
- Burgundy
- Wine
I typically recommend avoiding bright neon colors, fluorescent shades, large logos, and overly busy patterns, as they tend to draw attention away from what matters most—you and your family.
If you’re unsure, don’t worry! Every beach session with me includes complimentary styling assistance. I’m always happy to help coordinate outfits, create a color palette for your family, or even build a personalized style board so everything comes together beautifully.
Free People (My #1 Recommendation)
I love Free people. I feel like you can always find a style or color you are looking for here and they have so much to offer.
- Dixie Maxi Dress
- Extratropical Maxi Dress
- La La Maxi Dress ( I have this and love it)
- Santa Maria Maxi Dress
- For The Moment Mini Dress
- A Masterpiece Maxi Dress
- Aura Maxi Dress
- Honeysuckle Dreams Maxi Dress
- Plenty Of Love Maxi Dress
- Bluebell Maxi
- Wishful Bloom Maxi Dress
Anthropologie
My favorites are:
- Somerset Maxi Dress
- LSPACE Sunset Stroll Dress
- LSPACE Wren Dress
- By Anthropologie Peregrine Midi
- Peregrine Eyelet Midi Dress
- LSPACE Mallorca Midi Dress
- Celandine Kallie Cotton Gauze Midi Dress
- By Anthropologie Scarf Print Midi Dress
- Celandine Kallie Cotton Gauze Sleeveless Midi Dress
- Z Supply Cornelia Poplin Dress
These styles are still among Anthropologie’s most popular dresses and are especially flattering for family sessions.
You can browse the collection directly here:
Z Supply
Some of my favorites:
- Sanna Midi Dress
- Johanna Sleeveless Dress
- Cornelia Dress
- Eliora Smocked Maxi Dress
- Behati Eyelet Midi Dress
- Sloane Midi Dress
- Valencia Midi
- Romy Striped Linen Maxi Dress
- Angel Eyes Chambray Midi Dress ( I have this but honestly thinking of it as a fall photo dress with cardigan and boots)
- Solace Gauze Dress
- Georgie Sleeveless Maxi Dress
Browse here:
Abercrombie
Don’t overlook Abercrombie—they’ve become one of my favorite places for elevated family photo outfits.
Browse here:
Some other stores I love:
South Moon Under
Baltic Born
Monkees
Nordstrom
Amazon
