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Photographer Advice

What to Wear for Virginia Beach Family Photos | Dad Edition

May 7, 2025

Hi, I'm CHELSEY.
I'm a Virginia Beach family photographer who takes pride in pampering busy Mommas with a fun, stress-free portrait experience. From your initial inquiry to the installation of your artwork in your home, I'll guide you through it all to ensure you get beautiful, timeless, joyful images of you and those you cherish most, AND get to enjoy them daily within the walls of your home - NOT just on the screen of your smartphone. 
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Trying to decide what to wear for your Virginia Beach family photos? For many of my clients, the details involved in planning what to wear for family photos have been a significant source of stress in the past. This can even prevent some families from planning ahead for upcoming family sessions!

dad holding 1 year old baby daughter during her first birthday / Virginia Beach family photos

Generally, our first focus in preparing what to wear for your Virginia Beach family photos is on finding beautiful, flattering dresses for Mom and sweet little outfits for the little ones. But even though we start with selecting what Mom will wear first, this post is for the guys. To have family photos you ALL love, it is important for Dad to look and feel great on the photo date as well. 🙂 

As a full-service family photographer in Virginia Beach, I enjoy helping you prepare for your sessions by coordinating and styling your family’s outfits.

If you’re anything like me and my other clients, I know that deciding what to wear for photos can get overwhelming, especially if you have multiple children or are just welcoming a brand new baby. This is why I love including personalized styling assistance as your Virginia Beach family & newborn photographer

What To Wear For Photo Sessions In Virginia Beach

For the Dads, we keep outfits fairly simple and neutral. I am located in Virginia Beach, VA, and it’s hot and humid for several of the most popular months for photoshoots. That’s why the weather is always something to consider when styling Dad. In addition to those humid Summer sessions on the beach that are so popular, it will be warmer during newborn photos anyway. We’ll keep the temperature higher so that the baby is cozy.

For this reason, both Dad’s style AND comfort are key!

With that in mind, here are my 3 must-haves for the best outfit options for Dad:

  1. Breathable And Moisture-wicking Fabrics: Performance, tech, or linen fabrics are great.
  2. Well-Fitted Clothes: Try to avoid baggy clothing* and find options that fit well while still being easy to move around in comfort. (Avoiding baggy clothes is important, especially for newborn photos when Dad will be snuggling the baby. We don’t want them to get lost in excess fabric.)
  3. Wrinkle-Resistant: Less work on your part!

As a full-service photographer in Virginia Beach, I have found that many clients appreciate the personalized touch I provide by offering a client wardrobe of dresses for Mom. The client wardrobe that all my clients have access to has been carefully curated and stocked with beautiful, flattering dresses to help Mom look and feel her best on photo day. 

Below are some style boards with inspiration (including links!) of what wardrobe pieces I would recommend for the man in your life when deciding what to wear for family photos!

These are options that will photograph well for your upcoming photo session. Below, the linked outfit options are great for newborn photos, family photos, as well as maternity photos with both Mom and Dad.

Style Boards: What To Wear For Virginia Beach Family Photos

Links for each item are below each style board!

Virginia Beach Family Photos blue white clothing

Should I Wear Pants Or Shorts For Family Photos In Virginia Beach?

Even in the summer, I still recommend pants for Dads! I know it’s a weird concept with the southern heat and probably not Dad’s favorite idea, but I promise you won’t regret it. Shorts aren’t as flattering when it comes to photos of Dad. And again, we want everyone to love the way they look in the final photos and art we create with your portraits!

Pants give a more classic look for your session, so I always recommend them over shorts. The performance pants from stores like J. Crew and Lululemon are lightweight enough to stay comfortable for our session, even in the summer. Trust me! We can always cuff them a bit for beach sessions to play in the water, too!

What Type Of Shoes Should I Wear For Virginia Beach Family Photos?

I recommend closed-toed shoes, always! The only exception is for beach sessions, since we will kick off our shoes anyway. For in-home sessions, most families go sans shoes. 

Casual sneakers, slip on shoes or loafers are a great way to fit into multiple color palates and seasons. 

Should I Wear Layers During Family Photos?

When it comes to deciding what to wear for family photos, Fall is a great time to add layers! Layers in similar color palates can add variety and texture to your photos, and are especially great if Dad is wearing a more simple or plain fabric shirt.

Layers add extra visual interest without getting too busy with color. It’s also a fantastic way to add a bit of warmth during the colder months. Ideas include adding a vest over a long-sleeve Henley or a button-down under a sweater.

Looking For A Full-Service Photographer In Virginia Beach?

family photographer in Virginia Beach holding a framed portrait

Then, I’m your lady! As a full-service photographer here in Virginia Beach, I take pride in offering an exceptional level of service for each of the families that invest in having me capture their family’s milestones. From maternity sessions to newborns and annual family portraits, as well as capturing babies’ first year, I’m a photographer who loves to grow with my clients as their family grows.

Not only do I help clients decide what to wear for family photos, but I also offer personalized styling for the rest of the family. The session experience is relaxed, natural, and fun, and includes professional hair and makeup for Mom.

Sounds good, right?

Even better, I help families just like yours capture their memories by creating custom heirloom artwork, completely done for you, so you don’t have to lift a finger.

You can learn more about the unique photography experience I provide by visiting my website! Ready to go ahead and inquire about your family’s session? You can send me an email here!

Want to read more? Check out some of my other posts:

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