Boardwalk sessions call for something a little different.

This is one of those locations where I want your wardrobe to feel relaxed and polished at the same time. Nothing overly formal, nothing overly busy, and definitely nothing that feels like everybody got dressed for a different family.

We are going for easy.

Reminder: I offer custom wardrobe design with a mood board and shopping links if you don't want to DIY this. It's $75+tax.

Here is everything I would tell you if we were standing in your closet together.

Start with softer, natural colors

For this type of outdoor setting, I like palettes that feel grounded rather than overly seasonal.

Dusty blue, cream, and camel. Clean, classic, and incredibly easy to shop for.

Olive, oatmeal, and rust. Warmer without screaming fall.

Navy, sage, and tan. A little deeper while still feeling natural.

Denim can work beautifully here too, especially when you mix the washes rather than putting everyone in identical jeans.

What I would not do is put the whole family in beige. Neutral does not have to mean colorless.

Give me some depth.

Dress for movement

This is not a location where I want you feeling stiff.

Flowy dresses, relaxed trousers, tailored shorts, lightweight button-downs, soft skirts, and clothing with a little movement all work beautifully.

If you have young kids, this matters even more.

They need to be able to walk, sit, cuddle, and move without you worrying about whether an outfit is staying perfectly in place.

The photos where everyone is actually interacting are usually the ones you love most anyway.

Texture keeps the neutrals interesting

If your palette is soft, texture is your best friend.

Linen. Gauze. Ribbed cotton. Eyelet. Chambray. Soft knits. Raw denim.

You can put someone in cream and someone else in oatmeal and still have plenty of visual difference if the fabrics are doing different things.

That is how you get neutral without getting boring.

One pattern is enough

If someone has a floral dress, plaid shirt, or other noticeable pattern, start there.

Everybody else can pull from the colors in that piece.

I would avoid putting multiple people in competing prints, especially if the patterns are similar in size.

And skip tiny stripes or checks. They can photograph strangely and they are rarely worth the trouble.

Think about your shoes before the day of the session

You are going to want shoes you can comfortably walk in.

Simple sandals, flats, loafers, boots, or clean neutral sneakers can all work depending on the outfit.

I would avoid very bright white athletic shoes, anything neon, and anything with a giant logo.

The eye naturally goes toward the brightest thing in a photo.

I want that to be a face, not a shoe.

Give the family different shapes

This is one of my favorite tricks.

If Mom is in a long, flowy dress, maybe Dad is in a more structured shirt and trousers. If one child is in a dress, another can be in tailored shorts or pants.

You do not need everybody wearing the same length, fabric, or style.

Actually, please don't.

The little differences are what make the whole group look styled instead of uniformed.

Accessories should look like you

A hat can work. A simple belt can work. A light layer can work.

But I would rather have one intentional accessory than five things we are constantly fixing.

Jewelry can stay simple too: gold or silver depending on your wardrobe, small hoops, delicate necklaces, pearls, watches.

Nothing needs to make a statement louder than your family does.

A few things to skip

Large logos, neon colors, character shirts, identical outfits, uncomfortable shoes, and clothes that need constant adjusting.

I would also be careful with anything extremely trendy if you want these photos hanging in your home for years.

There is nothing wrong with looking current.

I just want you to still like your outfit when you walk past the photo five years from now.

The short version

Pick three or four colors.

Give everybody their own version of the palette.

Mix your textures and silhouettes.

Choose comfortable shoes.

Then leave it alone.

Your family does not need to look perfect. You just need to look like you belong together.

If you are stuck between outfits, send them to me. I would rather help you decide before your session than have you second-guessing yourself all the way there.