What To Wear For Photos On The Beach At Sunset

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Whether it’s a romantic portrait of you and your partner, a family picture, or friends having fun by the sea, the beach at sunset is the perfect backdrop.

But your outfit can make or break your photo so choose wisely. 

What Are The Best Colors For Sunset Beach Photos?

One of the most important things to consider when choosing an outfit for a photo on the beach at sunset is your color scheme. 

Colors for sunset beach photos
Best colors for sunset beach photos

White is one of the most popular choices and this is largely because it looks good regardless of your skin tone.

Moreover, it allows the surrounding colors to really pop and appear more vibrant. 

However, if you want to throw some color into your outfit, that’s OK too.

It does pay  to stick with softer tones and pastels such as lavender, sage, canary yellow, beige, and soft pink.

I’d recommend not going over the top with color. Choose one and use it sparingly.

Photography expert tips beach sunset
Photography tips beach sunset

When you’re being photographed in a group, it’s also worth making sure that you all choose the same colors so the background can speak volumes. 

Materials And Garments That Work Well

For women, long maxi dresses with lots of flowing material work incredibly well in this kind of setting.

Summer dresses
Take a perfect sunset beach photo

This is especially true when the wind picks up as your dress will make a statement all of its own. 

However, there are some ladies that aren’t keen on wearing a dress so in this case, something like wide-leg linen pants, a linen shirt, or flowy blouse will work wonders. 

This environment demands natural movement so I’d recommend against choosing tight clothing.

For men, buttoned shirts and khaki pants are an excellent option.

However, don’t choose anything that has heavy patterns, especially those that clash with one another.

Enjoy the sea
Earthy tones perfect for sunset beach photo

If your outfit is covered in spots, stripes, logos and other things, this will deflect from the beauty of the surroundings.

Photos on the beach at sunset are more about the subjects blending into the scenery and not standing out like a sore thumb.

Things To Avoid

When it comes to having a happy snap on the beach, it’s a really good idea to stay away from bright, bold colors.

Avoid this at sunset beach photo
Things to avoid sunset beach photo

I’d also suggest avoiding anything too dark.

The only exception to this rule would be navy blue which actually works very well on the beach at dusk. 

The whole point of a beachside photo is to draw attention to the people and the background as opposed to the clothing. 

As I’ve Mentioned – It’s not a good idea to wear anything with a heavy pattern.

However, one thing that a lot of people get wrong is that everyone will be matching.

This doesn’t need to be the case and you can have a beach photo where everyone wears something slightly different as long as the colors compliment one another. 

Styling The Family

Having a family photo on the beach is one of life’s little treasured memories but you’ll need to make sure that you style it correctly. 

Primarily, you’ll want to think about the weather.

When we think about the beach, it’s tempting to think about sunshine and warmth.

Taking Sunset beach family photo advice
Tips for taking Sunset beach family photo

However, that’s not always the case. If it is sunny and warm then you’ll want to choose breathable clothing to feel more comfortable.

On the flip side, if the weather is cool and breezy, opt for long sleeves and light jackets. 

Now, you’ll need to choose the colors for your photoshoot. As I’ve already discussed, white is a very popular choice but soft or pastel shades can work well too.

Earthy tones such as wine, emerald, rust, and mustard are also surprisingly good for a beachside picture so it’s worth considering these too if you want something a little different. 

You might also think about the colors in your home.

A lot of people will have their photo printed or put onto canvas so choosing colors that fit in with your decor will make the picture look even better.

Did You Know? Where family photos are concerned, most photographers will advise you to choose mom’s outfit first and style the rest of the family around that. 

Top Beach Photo At Sunset Tips

Beach photo sunset advice
Top beach photo sunset tips

Let’s sum up some of the above advice and look at some more helpful tips when choosing what to wear for photos on the beach at sunset:

  • It’s a good idea to choose an outfit that you might actually wear to the beach as this will make the photo appear more natural. For example, you would wear a flowy maxi dress but you probably wouldn’t naturally go to the beach in jeans and a sweater. 
  • Solid colors are the best option for beach photos. If you do want patterns, go for something menial and subtle so as not to take away from the beautiful surroundings. 
  • When choosing fabrics, go for those that are soft and natural. This has a much more romantic vibe and makes for a truly stunning picture. 
  • Look for colors that will fit in with the scenery. Anything that matches the hues of the sand, rocks or ocean is perfect.
  • Don’t bother with shoes. If you want the most natural look for the beach then you don’t need them. Being barefoot will also be less hassle as you won’t end up with sand in your shoes!
  • Some people like to take an extra shot after the main photo and they like to get into the water to do this. If you plan on doing this, make sure that your clothing will still feel comfortable in the water and don’t forget to bring some dry clothes for after you’re done. 
Photography beach sunset guide
Photography beach sunset

Conclusion

A photo on the beach at sunset can make for a stunning image but only if it’s done properly.

Bright colors, heavy patterns, and stiff fabrics should all be avoided.

When dressing for beach photos, always go for soft tones, light, flowing materials and clothes that don’t take away from the gorgeous natural surroundings.

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