Getting in the Water for Family Photos | What to Wear and How to Feel Good About It

April 15, 2026

Even if you’re there for a photo session, the beach is a playground. The ocean is right there, calling and the kids want to go in. And they should! The best photos happen when everyone stops trying to stay dry and clean and just plays. The thing that holds most families back isn’t the water; it’s not wanting to be photographed in a swimsuit. That’s real, and this post addresses it directly. There are four ways to get in the water that don’t require anyone to feel exposed or uncomfortable. The goal is that you show up, let the kids loose, and have a great time together.

You Want Me to Wear What?!

Deciding what to wear for family beach portraits can be stressful, but I have the simple answer for you – swimsuits. Okay, maybe not for your entire session (although it happens), but hear me out. In a previous post (Family Beach Photoshoot : Why You Should Jump in the Water), I implored you to make the most of your beach photo session and come prepared to play. Instead of holding the kids back and begging them to keep dry, let them run, splash, surf and have fun. Better yet, join them! I watch entire families transform with the magical addition of water. Because I use a water-housing for my camera, I can get close to the action and create beautiful images of pure joy.

But, there are hesitations. Completely understandable hesitations. Two are most common.

We’re not comfortable in the water
I do not want to be photographed in a swimsuit. No way. Not going to happen. Are you kidding me?

If you’re not comfortable in the water, but love the beach, the solution is easy. I will suggest beautiful locations around Oahu with calm water or tide pools so you can enjoy an easy morning making sand castles and dipping your toes in the frothy surf.

For those of you love to play in the water, but don’t love the idea of being photographed in a swimsuit, I have four suggestions to help make you comfortable enough to get in the water.

4 clothing ideas to help you feel more comfortable during your photo session

4. Cover More

In recent years, swimsuits have diversified. You can opt for more coverage on top, more coverage on the bottom, or more overall. Surprisingly, one-piece swimsuits and bikinis with more coverage have never looked more stylish. Even long-sleeved suits look amazing. I put together a Pinterest board to give you a sense of swimsuit styles that photograph beautifully.

If you’re still feeling too exposed, you can turn to clothing designed for water sports. Brands like Title Nine, Athleta, and Patagonia have great options for swim shorts or board shorts and tops you can take in the water. Surf brands like Billabong have a variety of options year-round and are particularly great for kids swimwear.

mom and daughter at beach photoshoot in hawaii

3. Cover Up

Still not feeling the swimsuit love? Another option is to add a coverup. There are a wide range of options that look great from tunics to sarongs to simple beach dresses. It’s a great way to play by the shore and still fit into the beach scene.

2. Go Deep

Another alternative is to submerge yourself in the water. If you’re comfortable in the water, you can head for deeper depths. If you’re waist deep, the water keeps you covered. If you prefer to stay in the shallows, you can simply kneel or sit so the water can cover you like a blanket.

Ideas to help you feel more comfortable getting in the water for your photo session

couple with a baby snuggling in the water in kihei maui during a beach photoshoot

1. Appoint An Ocean Ambassador

Still not sold on getting in the water? If you have water-loving kids, appoint an ambassador to take the kids in for a bit of water fun. Sometimes it’s dad, but aunts, uncles, and even grandparents have volunteered to get salty. There’s nothing like a body boarding grandma to make you smile. Even if you’re not getting in the water yourself, you can still be in the pictures. Just make sure your clothing is beach casual so you don’t stand out from the swimsuit clad group.

excited dad and baby playing in the water in hawaii

grandma pushing grandson in blue waters of oahu hawaii

dad and son play in the sand with clear water and palm trees

family plays in the water at paradise cove in koolina

family playing in the water at calm koolina lagoon for photo session

grandma catches a wave on a bodyboard at kailua beach oahu

dad holding his newborn son in the water during family photoshoot in hawaii

Find Beach Wear in the Winter

If you’re visiting from the mainland and realize you’re missing something, Kailua, Ward Village and Haleiwa all have good beach boutiques worth a browse. Target (several options on island including Waikiki) is your fastest option for basics. For kids’ rash guards and board shorts specifically, Costco in Hawaii almost always has a good selection at reasonable prices (and solid body boards!).

What A Water Session Looks Like

The over-under shots, the kids launching themselves into waves, a parent waist-deep introducing a baby to the ocean for the very first time; these are the photos that end up on walls. You can see what water sessions actually look like here, here, and here. And if it looks like something your family would be into, here’s where to start.

What to Wear for Beach Photos in the Water FAQs

Q: Do I need to wear a swimsuit to get in the water during photos?

A: No. Many families get in the water in their session outfits — light dresses, linen shirts, board shorts. Wet clothes often photograph beautifully, especially fabrics that move. That said, a swimsuit under your outfit gives you more freedom and makes the water portion feel less precious. The four options in this post cover the range from more coverage to full swimsuit, so you can choose what feels right.

Q: What fabrics work best if we’re planning to get wet?

A: The short answer is: don’t get in the water in your session clothes. Heavy wet fabric is uncomfortable, restricts movement, and can be a real hazard in waves. It also just doesn’t look good. If you’re planning to get in the water, either wear a swimsuit or one of the options covered in this post — a coverup, rash guard, or board shorts over a suit. Save the session outfit for the dry portion and change before you go in.

Q: Should we bring a change of clothes?

A: Yes. A towel and dry clothes for the drive home make the whole morning more comfortable. If you’re planning a full water session, it’s worth having everyone bring a change. If you’re keeping it to wading and splashing, just the kids’ change of clothes is usually enough.

Q: What about coverage for someone who doesn’t want to be photographed in a swimsuit?

A: You have options. Tise post covers four of them, from more modest swimwear to cover-ups to simply going deeper into the water so it does the covering for you. The goal is that everyone feels comfortable enough to actually enjoy the morning. If one family member wants to stay dry, that works too. They can stay at the shore wearing beach casual clothing and still look like part of the family.

Q: What should little kids wear for a water session?

A: Whatever they’re comfortable moving and playing in. Tiny swimsuits are adorable and so is a naked baby bum. For a session that starts dry and ends wet, a light outfit over a swimsuit is easy to peel off when the water portion starts. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes regardless.