What to Wear for Your Senior Portraits at the Beach
- Nina Bashaw
- Sep 17
- 3 min read
What to Wear for Your Senior Portraits at the Beach.
5 Tips from Tampa senior portrait photographer Nina Bashaw
As a Tampa senior portrait photographer, one of my favorite and most requested locations for senior portrait sessions is the beach I mean after all living in Tampa we have some of the most beautiful beaches in America! The soft sand, the movement of the water, and that dreamy golden light all create the perfect backdrop. But the beach also comes with some unique challenges when it comes to wardrobe choices. The right outfits can make all the difference in creating photos that feel timeless, vibrant, and true to you. Here are five tips for to wear for your senior portraits!
1: Skip Too Much White and Blue
While white and blue may feel like natural choices for the beach, wearing too much of them can actually cause you to blend into the sand, sky, or water. In my professional opinion as a top rated senior portrait photographer in Tampa, I fully and strongly believe that color balance is key at the beach. Instead of reaching for that plain white dress or all-blue outfit, consider mixing in softer earth tones or bolder hues that will help you stand out beautifully against the scenery.
2: Add Pops of Color and Patterns
Beaches are filled with neutrals—sand, water, and sky—so this is the perfect time to embrace color. Shades like coral, teal, mustard, or even jewel tones add richness and contrast. From the viewpoint of a Tampa senior portrait photographer, I’ve seen how patterns like florals, stripes, or subtle textures can add energy to your images without distracting from you. Just make sure to avoid anything overly busy so the focus stays on your face.
3: Flowing Dresses Bring Movement
There is something magical about the way a flowing dress catches the sea breeze. A lightweight maxi dress, skirt, or even wide-leg pants can add motion to your photos and give them that extra wow factor. When I photograph seniors in Tampa Bay, I love encouraging my clients to bring at least one outfit with movement—it helps create variety and adds that effortless, dreamy look everyone loves.
4: Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time
One of the biggest mistakes I see seniors make is waiting until the beach session to decide what to wear. The beach is not the place to be making last-minute outfit decisions. Speaking as a Tampa senior photographer that does beach sessions on St. Pete beach and in Sarasota, I know that every minute counts once you arrive. Try on your outfits beforehand, pair them with accessories, and think through what shoes (if any) you’ll want to wear in the sand.
5: Timing is Everything at the Beach
Golden hour may sound like a full hour, but in reality, it’s closer to 30 minutes of absolutely perfect light. Once the sun dips, it gets dark quickly, and we lose that magical glow. That’s why being prepared and ready to shoot immediately is so important. In my years photographing senior portraits around Tampa Bay, I always emphasize to my clients that beach sessions move fast. The more ready you are, the more gorgeous photos we can capture in that short but beautiful window.
Wrapping It All Up
Senior portraits at the beach are unforgettable, but they do require some extra planning to get the most out of your time. By avoiding too much white and blue, adding pops of color and patterns, planning outfits ahead of time, and being ready to shoot the moment you arrive, you’ll be set up for a session that feels both effortless and stunning. If you’re dreaming of beachy senior portraits in Tampa Bay, I’d love to help you create a session that is fun, relaxed, and full of personality.
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