Family Sunset Beach Photos on the Space Coast | Cocoa Beach Family Photographer

May 28, 2026 • 1 Comment

Family Sunset Beach Photos on the Space Coast

Cocoa Beach Family Photographer

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

I'm not an early morning person, so sunset has always been my favorite. After moving to Brevard County in Florida, however, I have begun to love sunrise sessions more and more, especially during the summer and fall months when there's almost always a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and the uncertainty of how late they might go into the evening. That said, if you love sunset, are not a morning person, and are willing to be flexible if the weather turns ugly on session day and we find we have to reschedule, then sunset is still a great option any time of the year!

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

The Case for Sunset (and the honest truth about summer)

Summer and Early Fall: Sunrise is my first recommendation for summer beach sessions (read more here). But sunset is still magical and absolutely worth it. You just need to know what to expect: it'll be warm, it may be a bit hazy, mostly likely windy, and afternoon storms sometimes require a weather eye. Still worth it, just go in informed. And if we have leftover clouds from a late afternoon thunderstorm, it may give us an excellent sunset!

Late Fall through Spring: Sunset is prime time during these months. The temps are cooler, the light turns gold, and the beach quiets down beautifully. It's my favorite time to visit the beaches here on the Space Coast as well as photograph at them.

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

The Locations

Location is always an important part of a session, and with beach sessions, I have my favorites for different reasons.

Lori Wilson Beach Park — my go-to for families that want a variety of photos in their session. Just about an hour east of Orlando in Cocoa Beach, this beach park has a large parking lot and bathrooms, making parking less stressful and changing out of wet clothes easier. When we first arrive and there may still be a lot of people on the beach, so we start along some of the many walkways and dune areas that are accessible (we never walk into the dunes where there isn't a path so that we don't disturb or damage the dun ecosystem). This gives you some greenery options if you don't want everything to be in front of the water. Plus, the dune area gives us some shade from the harsh light of summer when golden hour is more like golden half-hour. Then, in the second part of the session, we can move closer to the water as the crowds really dwindle and get those photos along the water as the sun sets and starts turning the sky into a beautiful palette of colors.

Tables Beach at Patrick Space Force Base — probably my favorite beach session location and maybe I shouldn't include it here so it doesn't end up more crowded, haha! Just south of Cocoa Beach, the beaches along A1A across from Patrick Space Force Base are some of my favorite. There tend to be less people and best of all, no condos along the beach here. Definitely worth going a little further south for. Only downside is that there aren't bathrooms at this one.

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

What Should We Wear for Beach Photos?

The sunset palette of colors tends to work best — peaches, pinks, soft blues and purples, warm whites; but don't feel like you can't go outside of that color palette. If you like darker colors, like navy, you can totally incorporate those into your wardrobe too. I had an extended family who chose sage green and cream/tan with a little light blue and light pink and it worked so beautifully. Everyone should be comfortable in what they're wearing and there's no need for everyone to be in the exact same colors; in fact, I advise against this. Barefoot always at the beach — no need for shoes. And if figuring out what everyone is going to wear gives you hives, I have a What to Wear Guide that I'll send you and I'll also help you choose what everyone will wear by giving feedback on individual pieces as well as on how everyone's clothing coordinates together. Maternity clients have access to my client closet as well!

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

What Actually Happens During the Session?

While this varies depending on the family and must-have shots, we typically start with a group photo of everyone looking at the camera as well as interacting with each other. Then we jump into a variety of games to really get everyone relaxed and feeling like themselves, which turns into amazing photos that really capture everyone's personalities. We'll alternate between high-energy, action shots and calmer, connection moments. The focus on fun and connection helps me capture everyone authentically with real smiles (no cheese!). I'll capture each kiddo by themselves as well as together, each kiddo with each parent, and at least one of just the parents together. There's no need to worry if you have young kiddos who can't be still for long, we're not doing a ton of sit-still-and-pose photos and I'm all about capturing the action.

Once we head down by the water, we'll do some wave jumping, walking and even running along the shoreline, kids looking out at the water or just doing their thing. This is the part where personalities are really showing through and we're just having a lot of fun. We'll still pause for more looking at the camera photos down by the water and calmer, connection images too. And of course, there's always a risk of getting wet so be sure to bring a change of clothes! The more playful you are with your kids, the more fun everyone will have and the better your photos will be.

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

By the end of the session, everyone has been laughing and playing together for an hour. You all feel more connected to each other and the ocean has helped you feel more grounded; your stress floating away on the waves. When you look back at the photographs from your session, you not only see the beautiful beach, skies, and smiles, you also remember how much fun you had together. Those are the kinds of photos you want to flip through regularly in an album on the coffee table or walk by every day on the walls of your home. Children grow up so quickly, cliche but true! You'll never regret documenting your family as you all are right now.

fun family photos on Cocoa Beach at sunset

Does this sound like the kind of session you'd want for your family?

This version of your family — right now, this summer, this year — only exists for a little while.

Sessions are limited. I'd love to make photos like these for your family.

BOOK YOUR SUNSET SESSION

Questions first? Reach out — I answer everything before you commit to a thing.

Keywords: beach, children, Cocoa Beach, family, Space Coast

Comments

Nichole(non-registered)

I love this SO much “ By the end of the session, everyone has been laughing and playing together for an hour. You all feel more connected to each other and the ocean has helped you feel more grounded; your stress floating away on the waves.”

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