| more and more families watching their budget, | | | | Another option instead of khaki is blue jeans. Jeans |
| Panama City Beach, Florida has become an | | | | can be paired with white, navy, green, coral, or yes, |
| ever-popular family beach destination. With miles of | | | | even black. Blue jeans and black shirts have a striking |
| pristine, white sand, it offers more than just sun and | | | | look against the black jetties on Panama City Beach. If |
| easy-going family fun. It’s also a perfect place | | | | you feel you look best in dark colors, this is definitely |
| to take breathtaking family portraits and turn mere | | | | an option. One thing to keep in mind is that the bottoms |
| days of rest and relaxation into memories that last a | | | | of your jeans will most likely get wet during poses on |
| lifetime. | | | | the surf. Wet jeans and sand will make you feel a little |
| With a little bit of preparation, your family portraits can | | | | bit like shake-n-bake chicken. If you plan to eat out |
| be something to be treasured. When planning for your | | | | afterwards you may want to bring a change of |
| photo session, there are a few key things to keep in | | | | clothes. Most people do not think about this and end up |
| mind. Without a doubt, the question I am most often | | | | having to change clothes at the hotel before they go |
| asked is about wardrobe. My answer to this | | | | back to dinner. |
| isn’t as simple as you might think. | | | | Young children are often the most difficult to dress for |
| Sure, most families have their beach photos taken in | | | | beach photos. You desperately want to put your |
| khaki and white. There’s absolutely nothing | | | | precious little girl’s hair in curls and hold it back |
| wrong with this and it is almost always a great choice. | | | | with a silky bow. Fussy hairstyles may work well in |
| However, khaki and white is not the only choice for | | | | studios, but the beach is not quite as dainty. Even with |
| beach photos. In fact, for some people it may not be | | | | a slight wind, hair will be tossed and that cute little bow |
| the most flattering. Some complexions do not look as | | | | will fall halfway out in no time at all. Keep it simple and |
| good in white, as they appear to be washed out. If you | | | | relaxed. Their hair will blow in the wind and you will find |
| feel white isn’t your color, then by all means, do | | | | it most beautiful when it’s natural. Fuss-free is |
| not feel pressured to have your family photographs | | | | best. |
| taken in khaki and white! I advise clients to choose a | | | | Another thing to consider with young children is diapers. |
| color that they feel best suits them. For example, | | | | Unless you want Big Bird and Cookie Monster shining |
| turquoise, blues, and corals are all good choices for | | | | through the back of your little girl’s white |
| beach photos. The blues bring out the colors in the sky | | | | sundress, put some bloomers on that bottom. |
| and water and corals will pop against a Panama City | | | | If possible, try to schedule your photos for early in your |
| Beach sunset. If you have dazzling green eyes, you | | | | vacation. This allows for a make-up day if your shoot |
| might consider wearing a shade that draws out their | | | | is rained out (yes, it does rain in Panama City Beach). |
| color. Panama City Beach is known for the emerald | | | | Also, many vacationers find they are a nice, deep |
| green waters. | | | | shade of magenta by the end of their vacation. Suntan |
| The difficult part becomes making sure the entire | | | | lines and raccoon eyes are far less obvious the first |
| family is in the same shade. To make sure you are all | | | | couple days of your vacation. |
| in the same shade, lay out all your clothes on your bed, | | | | Overall, you want to wear something that you are |
| side-by-side. If any shirt stands out, then you can be | | | | comfortable in that suits you and your family. If you are |
| assured it will pop out in the photo as well. This is | | | | uncomfortable, it will show. A good photographer |
| something you do not want. If you hire a photographer | | | | should be able to offer suggestions so make sure you |
| with good editing skills, he or she can make some | | | | ask him or her questions. They are, after all, there to |
| adjustments in the editing phase, but this can be costly. | | | | make you look your best. |