Pastel pink and lavender skies, sugar white sand and a whole family together on the shoreline: this morning was everything I love about Miramar Beach sunrise family photos. We met on the beach in Miramar Beach, Florida just as the sky started to change color, and by the time the sun cleared the horizon we had portraits of every person, every pairing and the whole crew together.

A Sunrise Family Session in Miramar Beach

Big families are some of my favorite sessions, and this one had it all. We started with classic portraits of the whole family lined up along the water, then let things loosen up with walks down the shoreline hand in hand, a group hug in the surf and plenty of laughing at the water’s edge. We finished with everyone sitting together among the sand dunes, one of my favorite spots to wrap up a Miramar Beach session.

Coordinated Pastels That Glow at Sunrise

This family’s outfits were a perfect match for the morning sky. Sage green, blush pink, crisp white and soft blue, paired with light khaki and white shorts for the guys, blended beautifully with the pastel colors over the Gulf. Coordinating (not matching) colors in soft tones always photograph well on our white sand beaches. If you are planning your own outfits, my guide to what to wear for beach photos walks you through it.

Why Sunrise Works So Well in Miramar Beach

Families are often surprised when I suggest an early start, until they see their gallery. Early mornings on the beach are calm and quiet, the light is soft and even on every skin tone, and the sky puts on a show you simply cannot plan. Kids are fresh instead of worn out from a long beach day, and your family gets to watch the sun come up over the Gulf together. You can see more examples of my sunrise beach photography here.

Portraits for Everyone in the Family

A family session is the perfect time to capture more than the group shot. During this session we also made individual portraits of each of the kids, sibling portraits sitting together in the sand, and romantic moments for the couples, including a sweet embrace and a kiss right at the shoreline. Those individual and couple portraits are often the images families end up framing the most.

Planning Your Miramar Beach Sunrise Family Photos

• Book early. Vacation weeks along the Emerald Coast fill quickly, especially in the summer and around holidays.
• Plan around the sunrise. Sunrise times shift through the year, so we set your start time around the sunrise for your session date.
• Pick a spot near where you are staying. I photograph families all along Miramar Beach, Sandestin and the beaches around Miramar Beach, and I am happy to help you choose a location.
• Keep it relaxed. Every session is a mix of classic posed portraits and real, candid moments, so no one needs to be a pro in front of the camera.

Book Your Miramar Beach Family Photographer

If a sunrise session is on your list for your next trip, I would love to meet your family on the sand. Learn more about working with a Miramar Beach family photographer, explore my family beach portrait sessions, or contact me to check availability. You can also call or text (850) 865-2900.