A Beach Family Photoshoot vs. Family Photos at Home
Planning family photos can feel like a lot, because life with kids is full and busy. Trust me, I know! So if the words “family photos” make you immediately think about outfits, snacks, and whether anyone will actually cooperate… As a mom, I get it! But know that as a Boston family photographer, my job isn’t to make your family look perfect; it’s to help you feel comfortable, supported, and at ease so that your photos actually feel like you. One of the biggest decisions we’ll make together is location, so let’s talk through the difference between a beach family photoshoot and family photos at home!
When You Should Choose a Beach Family Photoshoot
A beach family photoshoot brings lots of playful movement, sandy snuggles, and lots of fun for the kiddos. I especially love beach family photos for families with older kids, because the fresh air and open space takes the pressure off! It’s also so much easier to pack up the necessary items for bigger kids.
Inspiration for Beach Family Photos
Beach family photoshoots can also be great for a more serene shoot that’s a little bit different than what you usually see! I met up with the Pettiford family at Mayflower Beach at sunrise for their session, and the entire session felt calm and unrushed. The fog, the quiet shoreline, and the soft light created such a peaceful space for them to soak in those early days with their new baby boy.
Tips for Planning a Beach Family Photoshoot
Beach family photos do take a bit more planning than at-home sessions, but that doesn’t mean they have to feel complicated. I’ll guide you through all of it so nothing feels overwhelming!
What to Wear to Beach Family Photos
My biggest styling tip? Coordinate, don’t match, and keep things comfortable. Soft, neutral colors are always stunning on the beach, letting you fit the natural color palette of the scenery! I recommend things like:
Flowy fabrics, because they blow in the wind beautifully
Sage greens and baby blues for pops of color
Minimal prints (that don’t clash with any other family member’s outfits)
Adding texture through materials, like denim jackets or knit sweaters
Layers, because the wind can get chilly!
Best Time to Take Beach Family Photos
Sunrise and sunset sessions always have my heart for their soft lighting, but sunrise and early morning shoots are when you’ll beat most of the crowds. Morning beach family photos are especially great for families because kids are usually rested, fed, and ready to explore, which makes everything feel easier and more relaxed.
Spring or summertime is also the prime time for these sessions. Warmer weather is a must since it can get a little chillier on the coast, and longer days are an added bonus!
What to Bring to Your Beach Family Photoshoot
Aside from your typical diaper bag or go-bag, there are a few things I always recommend for my families to bring to their sessions:
A blanket in case you guys want to sit down on the sand for a breather
Towels in case anyone dips in the ocean
Sandals to walk through the sand
A change of clothes to ride home in that’s not sandy and/or wet
Jackets for the family in case it’s extra windy
Water and snacks, so no one gets hungry or thirsty
Toys for the kids in case we need a little extra help to get them to cooperate
Beach family photos are great, and I love them every single time! But if you’re reading this and still thinking it seems like a lot for you… I get it. If that’s the case, family photos at home might be more your speed! Let’s get into who should choose those.
When You Should Choose Family Photos at Home
Family photos at home are incredibly meaningful. There’s something so grounding about documenting your family in the space where your real life happens; the place where you snuggle on the couch, share snacks, and move through your everyday routines. They’re perfect for the family who wants a casual, easy-to-plan shoot, and for anyone with younger kids (or a newborn), so that you don’t have to pack up a ton of stuff and load everyone in the car!
Inspiration for at Home Family Photos
I had the honor of meeting up with the Pettiford family again, this time in their home. They were planning a move and wanted to document some of the final moments in the space where they brought their babies home. So sweet, right?! I love a session filled with meaning like this.
It was the most precious session: couch snuggles, kitchen snacks, and backyard playing, all in their natural habitat.
Tips for Planning Family Photos at Home
As I said, at-home sessions don’t require as much planning as somewhere like a beach, but there are a few things you should still know to make it smooth and easy.
Let the Moments Flow
My best advice as a Boston family photographer? Have no expectations and no pressure, just let kids be kids in their natural environment! Having everyone at low-stress is when we’ll get the best photos, trust me.
Don’t Stress About Having a Picture-Perfect House
Don’t stress-clean, seriously. This is all about capturing your real moments, not a false sense of what your life is like. There might be cups in the sink or a blanket on the couch that’s not perfectly folded, and that’s okay! That’s what makes it authentic.
What to Wear for Family Photos at Home
I love a casual look for the whole family for at-home family photoshoots. The golden rule stays the same (coordinate, don’t match), but don’t overly curate outfits. My favorite ideas are:
Cardigans, a t-shirt, and jeans
Neutral colors that don’t clash with your home’s color palette
Anything and everything that’s comfortable and feels like you
When You Should do BOTH
And now, my personal favorite, do both! You’re not limited to only a beach family photoshoot or only family photos at home. There are plenty of opportunities for you to do both! For example, as your family grows, you can alternate. One session at the beach, and the next at home. You can even throw in other locations here and there, and capture so many milestones throughout your kids’ lives. Choosing both allows you to tell a fuller story of your family, not just how you look, but how your life feels in different seasons.
I have been photographing the Pettiford family since their older daughter, Senja, was in the belly! I photographed everything: their maternity photos, newborn photos, announcement photos for their son, beach family photos, and their family photos at home. That gave us the opportunity for so many different locations and different styles of sessions, and they have so many memories to look back on forever.
Plan Your Session With Help From a Boston Family Photographer
Again, you aren’t in this alone! As your Boston family photographer, I’m there with you every step of the way, from choosing outfits to choosing locations, to then capturing your precious moments in a way that feels natural and authentic. If that sounds like the support you need to get the photos you want, I’d love to be there for you. Inquire today, and we’ll plan your perfect vision together!
Xoxo,
Ashley
While you’re here, check out more!
A Classic Beach Engagement Photoshoot at Wingaersheek Beach
My 7 Favorite Boston Spots for Your Engagement Photoshoot, From a Boston Engagement Photographer
