45 Cool Beach Pose Ideas to Elevate Your Next Beach Photoshoot

Who doesn’t love the beach?

and… Who doesn’t love a good beach photoshoot?

The ocean makes everything more beautiful - people feel more relaxed, more in tune with nature, and with a natural glow-up. The beach is also such a great scenery for a great photoshoot outcome as it naturally and effortlessly enhances any picture by adding some art and beauty to it.

So, if you’re a photographer who’s about to shoot, whether your model is a woman, a man, a couple, a group, or a family, the beach is always a great location to take the best photoshoot ever!

The following words aim to share some inspiring words filled with tips and advice for the best beach poses.

Let’s get started!

Beach Poses for Girls

If your photography gig includes a female model, then check this paragraph out! We will dive deep into the coolest beach poses, especially for girls.

Please note that, when photo shooting by the beach, you need to keep in mind the lighting. The sun can make everything better, or worse, depending on the time you choose to take your pictures. The best times are early in the morning, from sunrise and when the sun sets, as the weather is not too hot, so both you and your model(s) will feel more comfortable and the lighting will truly enhance and give an artsy hint to your photos.

1. The Sunshine

A creative, artistic beach shot includes one taken during sunrise when the sun is about to set and hide behind the sea’s horizon, and your model is standing right in front of it. Suggest your model to move - it’s up to her whether she prefers dancing, striking a pose, or connecting with the sun’s shape, but the result will end up being truly magical.

2. The yogini

If your girl model happens to know a bit about yoga, or if she’s an expert yogini, even better, a creative idea is to advise her to do a creative and aesthetic yoga pose, while standing on a rock, or the shore. This photo will be so poetic while enhancing your model’s body in an artistic and nourishing way.

3. The Mermaid

Another must-do beach pose for a girl includes the mermaid one! For this particular pose, have your model lay on the shore, or by a rock (either with a dress she doesn’t mind getting wet or in a bikini). Get her to lay half in the water but with her shoulders and head out. This pose will result in a sensual and creative beach shot.

Image from Pexels

4. The ocean goddess

An original beach pose, especially for women, includes the addition of a palm or banana leaf that your model can play with during the shoot. It will be really easy to find if you happen to be on a tropical beach, though, if you’re not you can still get creative and find some cool branches or leaves that will add up to the photo’s aesthetics.

5. The ethereal siren

A simple, but game-changing, beach shot includes one taken at sunrise, early in the morning, where the ocean water looks like a calm mirror, reflecting the sky turning brighter. Get your model to stand by the shore and wet her legs - this shot will be especially ethereal if she wears a long dress or skirt that gets wet by the water as she walks on the shore. Have her either face the horizon or directly at the camera. It will give a delicate, graceful, touch to your photo.

6. The connected

Another lovely beach pose idea includes one where you suggest your model sits in a crossed leg position, as if she was meditating, right in front of the sea, while you capture her from the back. This picture will make it look as if she’s having a really deep and connected moment with the ocean and its surroundings. Make sure to shoot this scene when no one else is passing by or swimming, so to give it an even deeper look.

7. The diva

This one’s the perfect pose for those girls who want to add some sexiness and sensuality to their beach photo! Have your model lay either on the shore or the sand with her arms stretched up, and suggest she arches her back for an extra hint of sensuality and diva-like feeling.

Image from Pexels

8. Play with your hair babe

Another cute idea is to have your model play with her hair! Salty hair adds up to the beach vibe effect. Suggest her to face the ocean, while you shoot her from the back or profile, while she moves her hands through her hair, as if she was about to do a ponytail! See how beachy this picture will end up looking.

9. The jump

If where you’re at there is the possibility to jump - then take advantage of it and capture your model while jumping from a cliff or a rock! You can shoot her from the rock so you get to capture her from the back and see the water scenery too! It will be a picture that showcases feelings of both adventure and fun!

10. The water shape

A super creative, girly, and must-do beach shot includes one where she gets to play with the water’s shape while you make sure you take several shots to capture the perfect moment. Have her dip her head and hair in the water from the front and then, fastly, get her to turn her head back so that the hair’s movement will give shape to the water and result in a frozen moment endlessly, and artistically, captured in time.

Image from Pexels

Beach Poses for Boys

Now, let’s get some specific beach pose ideas for boys since the scenery can be the same but the vibe needs to be completely different for a man’s beach photoshoot.

11. The surfer boy

A surfer boy can enhance any picture by adding a touch of sexiness and personality! If your model happens to be a surfer, then you can suggest he takes his surfboard to the shooting and takes some waves while you capture him in his natural habitat. If he’s not, you can still recreate some surfer boy shots by renting a board and having him pose with the waves at sunset for an extra aesthetic vibe.

Image from Pexels

12. The adventurer

This one’s for the boys who aim to showcase an adrenalinic feeling to the photo, rather than a simple portrait. Advice he jumps from a cliff or rock and try taking your shots either from the top of the rock or even better, from inside the ocean or from a little boat to get the ocean perspective of it! Make sure to take several shots of the jump so you have many to choose from at the end!

Image from Pexels

13. The thinker

A very simple, yet creative, beach pose for boys includes one of your model sitting on a bench. This is ideal especially if you don’t have the chance to be in a warm tropical beach for your photoshoot, but maybe you can still go next to a port, or a river that may resemble an ocean shore. It is also recommended for boys who don’t like to pose in front of the camera but still want a nice professional shot taken.

14. The musician

Whether your model is a musician or not, a unique pose idea for men includes one with a musical instrument! Have him play the ukulele, sit while holding a guitar, or behind some drums and see how naturally aesthetic this beach picture will turn out to be, effortlessly adding up to the photo’s character and personality, making your model stand out!

15. The superhero

If you want to truly stand out through your beach photoshoot, then you can suggest your model to walk slightly in the sea and play with water - advise him to exaggerate his movements by stretching his arms to the side, as if he was controlling the splashes! Take several shots so you make sure you capture the moment where his arms are stretched and the water is all around him, resulting in a superhero-looking photo.

16. Don’t be too serious

Not all men will want to have a professional photoshoot to showcase them in their coolest and most handsome selves… some, prefer to capture their fun and creative spirits through their photos! If this is the case, you can suggest a funny pose, that will be amusing to shoot and definitely a photo he will cherish forever and share as a symbol of his fun personality. Of course, you can be creative with this shot and let your model share some ideas, but one can be to suggest he brings a fan and make him pose with it by the beach. The ocean is a super aesthetic place, though it can be extremely hot, so this shot will end up being a fun, yet professional, result.

Image from Pexels

17. The handsome

Just like there are men who simply long to showcase some personality and amusement through their shoot, there are also those who aim to feel sexy and cool through their beach photographs. It’s key to keep both in mind! If your model aims to have some handsome-looking portraits, advise him to lie on the shore, with his head leaning on one arm, while profoundly looking at the camera. A great tip is to take this shot at sunrise or sunset, to enhance the lightning and picture’s beauty!

18. 1, 2, 3… Freeze!

If your model happens to be the athletic kind, or even if he’s not, but he likes to stand out, this is your right pose! Whether he likes to play sports, or he’s into handstands or backflips, have him do it, have him show off his abilities by the beach, or have him play around a bit and make sure you capture the moment in time and space, turning it into a frozen instant, forever captured! See how incredibly cool and character-filled this picture will turn out to be!

Image from Pexels

19. The backlit dude

A creative beach shot includes a backlit one of your model during sunset. Have him pose by profile, so his face silhouette can be enhanced - suggest he wears a cap for an extra touch of style and personality.

20. The victorious

If your model is more of the confident type and doesn’t mind posing, you can suggest he stretches his arms as a sign of victory, while staring at the ocean. This shot is especially great if captured by the side so you both get to shoot the depth of the ocean as well as the perfect capture of his confident pose.

Beach Poses for Couples

Now, what’s better than the beach to shoot a couple?

Beaches, make everything more lovely and, indeed, add up a hint of romance to it. That’s why, most couples, when wanting a photoshoot taken, love to pick the beach as a location.

So let’s get some tips and pose advice!

21. The wet lovers

A romantic, with a touch of sensual, idea is to have your models get inside the water and either hug or passionately kiss each other while you capture them in that deep moment. Make sure they properly dip inside the ocean and get all wet and drippy so that the picture can turn out even more film-like and creative.

Image from Pexels

22. Sweeties

A classical beach pose idea for couples involves one where they get to sit on the sand, or a colorful blanket and sit, while the girl lays her head on her partner’s shoulder. You can shoot this both from the front and the back for a beautiful outcome.

Image from Pexels

23. Hold my hand in paradise

Another fine and representative beach pose for couples idea is to have your models hold hands while they walk by the shore. This one too, will look great if shot both from the front and from the back.

24. In our little world

If your models aim to have a picture that represents a vibe, rather than a portrait where their faces are enhanced, then you can suggest they sit by the shore, while staring at the horizon and you can shoot them from far away. Make sure you pick a deserted beach for this one, so the picture can truly look like the two lovers are hidden in their own little, loving, world.

25. From the top of the world

If your photographer’s gear includes a drone: this one can’t be missed!

Take a shot from the top where the two lovers are lying down on the beach, next to the shore! This picture will end up being exceptional as it will merge creativity, personality, and love all in one, resulting in a picture that the two lovers will forever cherish.

Image from Pexels

Beach Poses for Friends

Now, if your models happen to be friends who aim to capture their friendship in a photograph: the beach is also a great location! Beaches are points of reunion where friends love to meet, chill, and have a good time! So shooting them in this beautiful natural space is ideal!

Let’s get more specific.

26. Cheers!

As mentioned, beaches are usually friends’ points of reunion to entertain themselves. So, without thinking too much, and getting too professional, simply shoot them in their friendship ritual - while drinking a beer, playing a game, laughing, eating something together! Advise them to be their most authentic selves and see how beautifully natural this shot will turn out to be.

27. Best friends forever

Another sweet beach pose idea for friends includes one where they get to walk while hugging each other, talking, and laughing by the shore. All of this, while you shoot the scene from the back, truly captures the depth of friendship’s love with an ethereal beach scenery.

Image from Pexels

28. The beach squad

If you aim to get a more artistic shot, and the friends happen to be three or more, then consider asking them to walk on the sand, in line, as if they’re looking for a place where to go - have them all look at different directions, point out, feel happy but confused - so that the picture turns out being personality-filled and a great friendship memory to always go back to!

Image from Pexels

29. The backlit jump

A creative backlit jump cannot be missed on your beach pose idea list! Make sure it gets shot during sunset, so to get the model’s silhouette! Have the group of friends jumping, while being extravagant and loving and see the beautiful result.

Image from Pexels

30. The hotties

If your models aim to have more of a portrait friendship pic rather than a creative one, then you can get them to pose in front of the camera while acting like their coolest, hottest selves. If the friends happen to be girls, advise them to wear a beach hat, hold on to it, or act extra girly and cute, if they’re boys they could play with the sunglasses or with their hair to add extra cool personality to the photo.

Beach Poses for Family

If your photoshoot gig involves a family - the beach is also a perfect location! A setting that will give relaxing, bonding, and ethereal vibes to your perfect family shooting.

Let’s see how!

31. The tropical fam

Think a Lilo and Stitch kind of vibe for a really epic beach family picture that will transmit all the tropical, Polynesian vibes! Have them pose facing the camera with the ocean behind them and suggest they wear some flower crowns on their head or their necks! It will be such a simple, natural touch that will completely transform and enhance the photo’s personality.

32. Three hearts

This is a perfect beach pose for families with a little toddler, but it could work also with more than one. Have the mom and dad walk towards the sea while holding their child's hand in the middle. Make sure you shoot this at sunrise or sunset to capture their silhouettes. It will result in a sweet, artistic, and bonding picture that they will love to look back to!

Image from Pexels

33. The fun bonding moments

A similar variation can be done with daylight and with the family facing the camera - either walking on the shore or between some nice beach coconut trees. For an extra fun shot have them raise their toddler with their hands, so to capture their fun and amusing expressions and a bonding moment.

34. We’re the adventurous ones

If your family models are the adventurous kinds and aim to have forever captured a moment that grasps their personality, then this is for you! Keep in mind that this idea is usually best done with families that have older children, not toddlers or babies. Suggest them to rent a kayak, a paddleboard, a waterbike, or any adventurous water sport they could do as a family at the beach, and shoot them while doing it! It will result in a bonding time for the family as well as some endlessly captured moments of these precious, adventurous times spent together.

Image from Pexels

35. The growing family

Especially for families who have a little baby and/or are expecting one, consider suggesting something simple but effective. An idea is to have the parents hold hands while walking on the beach shore, while the baby is being carried by one of the parents. If the mom is pregnant, then have the dad carry the baby so the belly bump can be enhanced. (For more pregnancy poses ideas, check this article)

Beach Poses for Wedding

By now, we’ve probably convinced you (if you weren’t already) that beach photos are truly romantic and make everything shine brighter!

So, of course, many would want to capture their wedding by the sea too! Let’s get some inspiration!

36. The romantic walk

Can you think of anything more romantic than a walk by the beach, at sunset? - I don’t think I can!

So for the most romantic event ever, you cannot miss out on capturing the two just married lovers while holding hands and walking by the shore, while the sun works its magic in the sky to enhance all the scenery.

Image from Pexels

37. Happy lovers

At the same time of the day, you can also consider capturing a close-up of the beloveds while staring at the sunset and smiling in total bliss! This will be a great way to shoot their ecstatic expressions of love and joy after a special day, with an effortlessly stunning background!

Image from Pexels

38. The artistic one

If you aim for your photo to be artistic and magical, consider taking a backlit photo at sunset too, to only capture their silhouettes and get an incredibly enchanting result.

39. We’re going all the way in!

If your bride and groom models are crazy and wild, and don’t mind getting their fancy clothes wet… suggest they soak into the sea and have a romantic kiss while dipping in the ocean! It will end up being the most magical wedding shot they could ever dream of.

Image from Pexels

40. The bonding

A more simple, but deep idea is to advise them to sit by the shore while staring at each other - talking, observing one another, laughing, simply being - and you can shoot them from the back while in their moment of bliss and connection.

Beach Poses for Instagram

Last, but not least, let’s explore some Instagrammable beach poses! The typical shots that your models aim to have on their page to have as much engagement as possible.

41. The poser

There’s nothing better than shooting at golden hour by the beach. Get your model to sit mermaid-style on a rock or by the shore, while the sun works its magic on her skin for a natural glow-up.

Image from Pexels

42. The sexy vintage shot

For an engagement win shot, have your model walking out of the water in a Baywatch way, while she touches her hair and embodies her sensuality. For an extra unique touch, you can edit this picture with some vintage effects and lighting, to get a film-style look.

43. The creative fairy

If you have the chance to get some fairy lights then consider using them for an extra magical and personality-filled picture! Make sure you shoot this at twilight, that moment after the sun goes down and before gets completely dark. You can either have your model hold the fairy lights in her hand as a candlelight kind of feeling or place them all around her to get even more creative with the light’s shape!

Image from Pexels

44. The one who wildly runs

A beach pose for Instagram can include one of your models running by the shore during golden hour. Suggest her she wear a long dress or long skirt to get this shot even more ethereal-looking!

45. The cool girl

For a classical Instagram pose beach picture, get your model to simply pose in front of the camera with her arms raised and a peace or Shakas sign done with her fingers! This shot can get enhanced if taken during sunset or sunrise too!

Image from Pexels

We hope these words make you feel inspired and ready for your next photoshoot by the beach!

Remember, you can’t go wrong if you choose the perfect lighting and a less crowded beach!