Beach Photo Session Tips for Families

Hi, I’m Nikki — and if you’ve booked a beach session with me (or you’re thinking about it), this guide is my gift to you. After photographing hundreds of families along the Delaware coast — from the quiet shoreline at Fenwick Island to the beautiful stretches near Bethany Beach — I’ve learned that the families who feel the most at ease always have the best galleries. Not because their kids smiled perfectly on cue (they almost never do!), but because they came prepared, kept things light, and trusted the process.

That’s exactly what this guide is here to help you do.

Before Your Session: Getting the Kids Ready

You don’t need your children to be perfectly behaved or camera-ready. You just need them to feel comfortable — and a little preparation goes a long way.

Talk about it ahead of time. Let your kids know that you’re going to the beach to play, and that a nice friend named Nikki is going to take pictures while you’re there. Keep the language fun and low-pressure: “We’re going on an adventure!” works a lot better than “We’re taking family photos.” Kids pick up on our energy — so if you’re relaxed, they’ll be relaxed.

Play “photo shoot” at home. This sounds a little silly, but it genuinely works. Spend five minutes having them strike poses or make funny faces for your phone camera. By the time we’re at the beach, the camera feels familiar — not scary.

Bring a comfort item if it helps. A favorite stuffed animal, a beloved blanket, a special toy — bring it. We can weave it into a few frames, and honestly, those often become the images families cherish most.

Nap and snack smart. This one is non-negotiable: a hungry or overtired child will let everyone know about it. Try to schedule around nap times and make sure little ones have had something to eat beforehand. A well-rested, well-fed child is my favorite subject.

What to Pack for Your Beach Session

Think of this as your beach bag checklist — just a little more curated than a regular beach day.

Towels and wipes. Sand happens. So do salty splashes, runny noses, and sandy fingers in mouths. Come prepared, not surprised.

Snacks and water. Stick to low-mess options: puffs, crackers, fruit pouches, or fruit leather are all great. My general rule: avoid anything that melts (looking at you, chocolate). Juice boxes in a pinch are fine — just not right before family hugs.

A backup outfit. Sand and water have a way of finding their way into everything. A fresh change of clothes for the kids (and honestly, a backup shirt for adults isn’t a bad idea either) means we don’t have to cut the session short if someone gets soaked.

A small grooming kit. A hairbrush, a few extra hair ties, and some lip balm will save you. Delaware beach wind is beautiful — and relentless.

What to Wear for Your Bethany Beach or Fenwick Island Family Session

Clothing is one of the most common things families stress about, so let me make it easy for you. Here’s what I’ve found works beautifully along the Delaware shoreline:

Soft, beachy colors are your best friend. Think neutrals, pastels, and earth tones — soft blues, creamy whites, blush, sage, olive, warm khaki, and dusty terracotta. These tones glow against the Delaware coast’s sandy beach and open sky in a way that trendy, saturated colors simply don’t.

Skip the logos and graphics. Clean, timeless looks photograph best and don’t compete with the scenery — or each other.

Coordinate, don’t match. Choose two or three complementary colors and dress everyone around them. Mixing textures — linen, cotton, a loose knit — adds richness and dimension to the images. You’ll look intentional without looking like you ordered from the same catalog.

Comfort matters more than you think. Flowing dresses, rolled linen pants, and bare feet feel natural on the beach and photograph beautifully. Anything stiff, scratchy, or hard to run in will show — and kids in uncomfortable clothes are unhappy kids.

Plan for the wind. If you or your children have long hair, consider braids, a low bun, or a few strategically placed bobby pins. Windswept can look gorgeous in photos — but hair across a face, not so much.

For a deeper dive into colors, patterns, and outfit ideas, check out my full What to Wear Guide.

A Few Last Things Before We Meet on the Beach

Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Give your family a few minutes to kick off shoes, take in the surroundings, and shake off any car ride energy. Arriving frazzled is avoidable — and a calm start makes a big difference.

Go with the flow. If your toddler wants to chase a seagull, we chase the seagull. If your kids get sandy five minutes in (they will), that’s okay. Some of my very favorite images from Delaware beach sessions have happened in the in-between moments — not the posed ones.

Trust yourself, and trust me. Your kids don’t need to smile on command, and you don’t need to perform. Natural expressions, genuine giggles, real snuggles — that’s what makes a gallery feel like your family, not a stock photo. My job is to find those moments. Your job is just to show up and be yourselves.

I can’t wait to create something beautiful with your family on the Delaware coast.

— Nikki