Best Things To Wear For Florida Keys Family Portraits & Other Helpful Tips
- Jan 27, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 9
Tips for coordinated, comfortable, and camera-ready outfits
Prioritize Comfort & Confidence
Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident — this shows in the photos.
Wear clothes you can move in so you can laugh, play, and interact naturally with your family.
Avoid trying something new or unusual just for the shoot — clothes that reflect your true style look best on camera.
Pops of color or accessories are great, but don’t go overboard.
Color Guidelines
Start With Neutrals
Neutrals photograph beautifully in beach and island settings and create a clean, timeless look. Good base colors include:
White
Cream
Tan or khaki
Light gray
Using neutrals as a foundation makes it easier to coordinate everyone without looking overly matched.
Add Color Accents
Once you have a neutral base, incorporate a few complementary colors. Shades that work especially well in the Florida Keys include:
Soft blues
Navy
Light Pinks
Corals
Sage/Light greens
Complimentary Colors
If those colors aren’t your style, choose a palette you love and repeat it throughout the group in subtle ways. Stick to colors that compliment to keep the photos looking cohesive. Most colors can work well — the key is consistency across the group.
Bold vs. Muted Tones
Your color choices help set the mood of your photos.
Bright colors will draw attention, so balance them carefully so they don’t compete with each other or the scenic background.
If you want a vibrant look, use punchy colors.
For a light, soft aesthetic, go with more muted, desaturated tones.
Wearing All White
Wearing all white as a family can look great, especially when you mix different shades and textures like off-white, cream, and layered fabrics for added dimension. This is an easy way to coordinate outfits, since most people already have pieces in this color range in their closet.
When you’re in a pinch or feeling overwhelmed, neutrals are always the safest choice. If coordinating colors feels stressful, dressing in neutrals keeps things simple and timeless.
A note about red and dark pink
Red and dark pink are beautiful colors, but they tend to shift in editing for Florida Keys sessions. Because we often adjust red tones to blend naturally with sun-kissed or slightly sunburned skin, these colors can appear more coral or orange in final images. While still flattering, the result may look different than expected, so we recommend choosing other shades if you’re hoping to keep colors true.
Sample Color Palettes
Wardrobe Details That Influence Your Photos
Patterns and Textures
Patterns should be kept simple and minimal. Busy or bold patterns can pull attention away from faces and expressions. If one family member wears a pattern, balance it by keeping the rest of the group in solid colors or more minimal patterns.
Textures such as lace, knits, or subtle layering can add interest without being distracting.
Fabric Choices, Heat Considerations, Sweating
The Florida Keys can be warm and humid, so fabric choice matters, especially for the men who are prone to sweating.
Lightweight, breathable, or moisture-wicking fabrics are ideal. Columbia makes great button down shirts for men that look good and are moisture wicking
Do not wear linen or cotton, those materials show the most sweat
Stick to solid colors. If you are wearing any patterns (even simple ones) and sweat through your shirt we cannot remove it in post processing
The boys in the photo below are wearing performance, moisture wicking shirts. Not a single drop of sweat showed in any of the photos during this late spring session.
Wind and Movement
Be mindful of dress layers and extra fabric. Garments with loose or hanging elements can look beautiful in motion, but on very windy days they can be challenging to photograph. Excess fabric may lift unexpectedly, distort proportions, or even blow into the face, disrupting the shot. While this is less of a concern in summer, it becomes a significant issue in late fall, winter, and early spring when winds are stronger. These issues cannot be corrected in post-processing, so during windy seasons it’s best to avoid dresses with excessive layers, loose panels, or flutter sleeves.
Accessories
Accessories can add personality and movement, but they should be used sparingly. Simple jewelry, hats, or light layers can enhance an outfit without overpowering it. If something feels distracting in real life, it will likely feel distracting in photos as well.
Bras & Tan Lines
Women should choose the right bra for their outfit — e.g., strapless under a spaghetti strap dress.
Florida’s strong sun can create tan lines, so plan outfits that cover or coordinate with your existing lines if needed.
These details can’t be fixed in post-editing, so planning ahead avoids unwanted lines in finished photos.
Key points to consider
Glasses
Glasses can cause reflections or glares in photos, especially with transitions, shiny lenses, or polycarbonate lenses.
If possible:
Wear anti-glare glasses
Or switch to contacts for the session
Buy a cheap pair and take the frames out
Hair & Humidity
For girls, hair up or in braids keeps hair out of little faces and cuts down on distractions.
Florida humidity can cause frizz — try using hair oils (like argan oil) to tame frizz and add shine.
Hair finishing stick will change your life for flyaways, thank me later haha
Makeup and Sun Exposure
The Florida sun is no joke and it can change your skin tone faster than you might expect. If you’ve been spending time outdoors in the Keys before your session, your usual makeup shade might be a bit too light, which can make your face look lighter than your body in photos.
If you’ve picked up a tan (even a subtle one!) before your session, we recommend bringing a slightly darker shade of foundation so everything blends nicely and looks natural on camera.
Quick Tips to Remember
Prioritize comfort and confidence
Use neutrals as a base
Add color thoughtfully and consistently
Keep patterns minimal
Choose fabrics with Florida heat in mind
Avoid bright red tones
Be mindful of makeup shades after sun exposure
With a little planning, your family’s outfits will complement the natural beauty of the Florida Keys and result in relaxed, timeless portraits you’ll love for years to come.
Our Favorite Stores for Outfit Shopping
Choosing the right outfit can make a big difference in how your photos turn out. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of our favorite go-to stores that consistently offer flattering, photo-friendly pieces for a variety of styles and budgets:
Flowy & Romantic
Free People
Anthropologie
Altard'd State
ASTR the Label
Popular Stores
Abercrombie
American Eagle
Macys
Nordstrom Rack
Easy Online Finds
Lulus
Petal & Pup
Affordable
Amazon
Old Navy
Gap
TJ Maxx
Target
Banana Republic Factory
Popular Amazon Brands
Pretty Garden
Petal & Pup
Cupshe
Zesica
Garce Karin
Pro Tips
Check out Amazon for brands like Petal & Pup and Free People, they typically have quite a few to choose from and you can usually find some of their styles on sale there
Gap has great options for matching family pieces
Amazon & Target offer great return options if buying online
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