what to wear for Your Hawaii family portraits

You Will Get Wet.

number ONE

Let’s talk about water. Because—spoiler alert—you’re at the beach. There’s a very good chance you (or your tiny, enthusiastic offspring) will end up damp, if not completely soaked.

So here’s the deal: wear something you don’t mind getting wet. Bonus points if it’s made of one of those magical synthetic fabrics that look exactly the same whether they’re dry or dripping—science, right?

But honestly, it’s totally okay if your clothes do look a little wet. It’s part of the vibe. You’re on a beach in Hawaii, not walking a runway in Milan.

And if you’re wrangling littles, trust us—pack a towel and a change of clothes for the ride home. Kids plus ocean equals full-body splash zone. Every time.

Let’s talk wardrobe panic, shall we? Because if there’s one thing that sends our lovely clients spiraling into an existential crisis (besides choosing between sunrise and sunset), it’s figuring out what to wear for their Hawaii family portrait.

Deep breaths. We’ve got you.

If your brain short-circuits at the thought of coordinating outfits for multiple humans (possibly tiny, opinionated ones), welcome. You are not alone. And the good news? We’ve put together a handy little style guide to make the whole process totally manageable—dare we say, fun?

Keep reading for our favorite tips on colors, patterns, fabrics, and the occasional fashion faux pas to avoid. Your family is about to look effortlessly gorgeous and feel relaxed doing it. Pinky swear.

You Don't Have To all Wear White!

number TWO

Okay, let’s have a heart-to-heart about white. It’s classic. It’s crisp. It’s... not always your friend.

Here’s the thing: not all whites are created equal. There are, like, fifty shades of white (and none of them are as fun as the book). They might look the same in your bedroom mirror, but throw in some bright Maui sun or a camera flash and suddenly everyone’s rocking a slightly different hue—and not in a cute, intentional way.

And when the whole crew shows up in matching white? You risk crossing into “adorable cult” or “family polo team” territory. Not ideal.

If your heart is set on white, we’re not here to crush your dreams—just zhuzh them a bit. Mix up textures, toss in some contrasting bottoms, or add a pop of color. That way, you’ll still look coordinated without becoming one giant, glowing marshmallow.

You Don't Have To Wear The Same Color.

number THREE

Let’s talk strategy: think coordinate, not matchy-matchy.

Imagine decorating a room (stay with me). You don’t paint the walls, the couch, the rug, and the throw pillows all the exact same shade of blue, right? That would be... a lot. Instead, you pick colors and textures that complement each other, bringing balance and personality into the space.

Same goes for your family portrait outfits. You’re not trying to clone everyone—you’re showing off the wonderfully different people who make up your beautiful, chaotic crew.

So instead of everyone wearing the exact same color (we see you, 2002 khaki-and-white beach photos), choose a palette of colors that work together. Let each person pick something within that palette that reflects their vibe. It’ll look cohesive, not copy-paste—and best of all, everyone feels good in what they’re wearing. Wins all around.

Avoid Multiple Strong Patterns.

number FOUR

Let’s chat patterns. Specifically: the pattern battle royale that can happen when more than one person shows up in bold prints.

Don’t get me wrong—we love a good statement piece. But when multiple people wear competing patterns? It’s like your eyes don’t know where to look. It becomes less “aww, what a beautiful family” and more “who will emerge victorious in the clash of the florals and stripes?”

Here’s our tip: stick to just one strong pattern in the group. That one bold print? Totally allowed. In fact, encouraged! It can actually be a great starting point for building your whole color palette. Everyone else can wear complementary colors pulled from that pattern, keeping the vibe stylish and balanced—not chaotic.

If you have littles around the same age, having them in matching patterns can also be cute!

So go ahead—embrace a little flair. Just... maybe don’t invite three different loud prints to the party.

Don't Make Your Teens Dress Like You.

number FIVE

Ah, teenagers. The eye rolls. The dramatic sighs. The unparalleled talent for acting like family photos are a personal attack.

We get it. And here’s a surefire way to make the whole experience even more painful for them: force them to dress exactly like you. (Spoiler: they will resent it. Loudly.)

Instead, let them lean into their own style. Seriously. If the colors coordinate with the rest of the group, there’s no need to squash their personality. Let them wear something that feels like them—even if it involves clothes you don’t fully understand or a hairstyle that defies gravity.

Giving your teens the freedom to show up as themselves makes the whole shoot smoother, more relaxed, and—dare we say—kind of fun? (Okay, they won’t say it. But you’ll see it in the photos.)

3 More Important Portrait Planning Tips

1. Say No to Giant Logos (We Love Your Face More Anyway)

We know, that designer tee is cute. But big ol' logos? They pull attention straight away from the important stuff—like your face, your joy, your wind-swept Hawaii glow. Plus, logos tend to age faster than a banana in the sun. Skip ’em and you’ve got timeless vibes for years to come.

2. Let’s Talk About Short Shorts & Grown-Up Jumpers

Okay. This might be a little controversial, but if you're over the age of 8, super short shorts and rompers might not be your portrait’s best friends. Why? Sitting poses. Short shorts tend to emphasize things most of us aren’t looking to spotlight (hi thighs!), and rompers—though adorable in theory—have a habit of folding, bunching, and doing this weird optical illusion thing that we’ll just refer to as “front butt” or, worse, a certain humped animal's toes.

3. Above All Else: Wear What Makes You Feel Amazing
This one’s big. HUGE. Monumental. Wear something that makes you feel like a goddess. Like a boss. Like the best version of yourself on vacation in paradise.

Especially you, Moms.

We know you're doing the mental gymnastics of coordinating everyone else. But please—start with you. Choose something that makes you feel confident and radiant, then build the rest of the family’s look around it. You deserve to look and feel incredible in these photos. (And you’ll be way happier with the final result if you do.)