21 Family Beach Vacation Photo Ideas

As moms, we’re always looking for great places to take pictures of our kids.

My favorite place to get pictures is at the beach.

On our annual beach trips, my goal is to always get at least 2 or 3 excellent shots of the kids enjoying the sand or water plus a bunch other pictures to round out our photo album.

After 8 years of beach excursions with my children, I’ve collected quite a few lovely photos.

I thought it would be nice to compile them into an inspirational post so other moms can get ideas for their own photo collections.

Following are some of my best tips for creating the setting for great pictures and a good time for all.

The Key to Getting Good Beach Pictures – Simplifying Everything Else

When we go to the beach, we keep our gear simple. I don’t bother with too many items because I want the focus to be on playing in the water and enjoying ourselves on the beach. When we enjoy ourselves, I am able to get great pictures.

If I take too many items with me to the water, then I spend too much time and energy worrying about setup, etc and forget to take great pics!

My simple must-haves are:

• A large fluffy beach towel
• Spray and lotion sunscreen
• Water
• My camera (my DSLR or phone) in a carrying case or backpack

The kids carry any beach toys they want, and my husband totes a beach chair or two for us all to take turns using.

21 Beach Pic Ideas for Your Photo Albums

Without further ado, here are some of the images I loved taking of my kids that I include in our annual beach picture photo books. I hope you’re able to find some inspiration in these pictures!

1. The Action Shot

You can count on one thing for certain with kids at the beach – they’ll be in constant motion. So learn to get a great action shot!

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Sit still as your child runs by and take as many pics as you can as they approach. The sun may blind you to where you can’t see the screen, but you will likely get a couple of great shots this way.

2. The Windy Action Shot

Sometimes beach conditions make pictures with kids tricky, but take advantage of the weather with ideas like a windy action shot.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: The key to this shot is having your camera on you at all times and taking as many pictures as you can while the kids are playing. At least one of them will be perfect.

3. Beach Pic Ideas – All Dolled Up

For a fun memory to look back on, take some pictures of your kids in all their beach-gear glory. 

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Set up somewhere that you are downhill from your child for this bigger-than-life shot.

4. Baby Touching Sand for First Time

Sand is a totally new sensory experience for little ones, so be sure to get a shot of this.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Get as close as you can without blurring the picture.

5. Burying Dad in the Sand

One of the most memorable beach activities is burying someone in the sand. Cherish the fun family memories with a photo.
HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: When Dad is unaware, take this picture! LOL

6. Dad Playing with Baby

A happy baby in the air with the beautiful vast ocean in the background – perfection.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Be ready when Dad starts playing with the baby. He or she won’t be happy with this for long but the first few tries should be perfect for this picture.

7. Kids Digging Holes Beach Picture Ideas

For kids, digging in the sand is pure joy.

Thsi is one of my favorite pics of all time – it really captures the essence of childhood on the beach.

8. Evening Family Time

Find opportunities to snap some pictures of your family enjoying time together.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Take a pic like this as the sun is going down. It will be dark, so make sure some light is coming into the shot so the entire picture isn’t dark.

9. First Steps on the Beach

This is one of those must-have kids beach picture ideas. Be sure to have your camera ready when your kid’s feet hit the sand!

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Capturing your little one’s first steps on the beach is a lovely thing. Not everyone can do this, but we got lucky.

10. First Time in Water Collage

Another shot you should prioritize is capturing your toddler’s first experiences with waves. 

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Their expressions will be priceless! A mixture of joy and confusion. 🙂 So be sure to focus the camera on their face. 

11. From Their Viewpoint

Try to see the experience through your kid’s eyes with a photo from their point of view.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Get down on their level and make sure they’re in the shot with the lovely beach landscape in the distance.

12. Kids Burying You Beach Picture Ideas

You really don’t have much to do if you’re the one being buried, so, why not capture a photo? 

This is a shot anyone can take – let your kids bury your legs and capture this in-process.

13. Kids from Below

There are never enough pictures of kids playing at the beach – so take a few shots at every angle.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Lay down in a spot where your kids will be a little uphill from you. Somehow convince them to walk closely together and shoot away!

Make sure to get a few landscape shots to round out your photo album!

15. Littles Ones Scared of the Water

One of the best kids beach picture ideas is capturing real moments – like when they’re a bit too nervous to go into the water. Great memories for sure. 

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Be ready with your camera when your youngest hits the beach. You may get some precious shots of him or her being tentative around the waves.

16. Mom with Kids Beach Pic Ideas

Moms are so often behind the camera, so be sure to prioritize getting some photos of you and the kids enjoying the beach.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Give the camera to Dad with instructions to get some pics of YOU with the kids!

17. The Nostalgic Shot

Capture little moments – in the moment – for something special and heartwarming to look back on.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Find a spot where you think you’ll get a nostalgic shot. I love following my kids to the beach and taking pictures of them from behind.

18. Scenery Shot: Pathway to the Beach

A few extra scenery shots are always a great idea. They look lovely in photo books and serve to preserve your memory of each beach trip.

19. Sunset Photos

Golden hour is the perfect time to capture some beautiful pictures of your kids at the beach.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Take this type of photo later in the day when the sun is going away.

20. Close Up Kids on the Beach

Memories of your children, at the age they were on particular trips, will be so special with close-up portraits on the beach.

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: To achieve this shot, lay on your beach towel looking up at your child.

21. Get on Their Level

Capture all the fun, up close and personal, with a close-up of your kids enjoying the beach. 

HOW TO GET THIS PICTURE: Get down on their level to get this shot.