Christmas family photos at the Beach in Myrtle Beach
Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach: outfit ideas, beach and oak locations, and timing tips for getting holiday cards ready.
You do not need snow, a studio set or a Santa hat to make Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach. A beach session in the quieter weeks of late fall and early winter gives you portraits that work for holiday cards, gifts and the year ahead, and the light is often softer than it is in midsummer.
Pasha Belman Photography is based in Myrtle Beach, SC. I photograph every family session myself, at sunrise or in the hour before sunset, from North Myrtle Beach to Georgetown. If you are still choosing a photographer, start with my page for Myrtle Beach family photographers.
Quick answer: The best window for Christmas family photos at the beach in Myrtle Beach is November through early December, if you want cards in the mail before Christmas. The beaches are calmer, sunset arrives early, and your edited gallery typically arrives in two to three days. If you prefer greenery to the shoreline, I also photograph fall and holiday sessions under the live oaks at Myrtle Beach State Park.
When should you take Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach?
If the photos are for holiday cards, plan backward from the mailbox. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing First-Class Mail in the contiguous United States by December 17, 2026, for expected delivery before December 25. That date is a recommendation, not a guarantee, so it helps to leave room for design and printing.
A session in November, or in the first week or two of December, is the most practical plan. Galleries typically arrive in two to three days, which leaves time to choose a photograph, design a card and get it printed. September and October are also popular for holiday cards, and those evenings book early.
December through February still works if you want the photos for gifts, a wall print or next year’s cards. The beaches are quiet, the light is crisp, and sunset is near 5:15 p.m., which is an easier hour for young children. By mid-November, sunset is already before 5:30 p.m. You can check exact times on the Myrtle Beach sunset calendar.
Holiday weeks fill first, so it is better to hold a date as soon as you know you want photos this season. For a broader look at spring, summer, fall and winter, I also wrote about the best time of year for beach family photos in Myrtle Beach.
What should you wear for Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach?
You do not have to dress like a greeting card. Choose two or three colors and let everyone mix them, rather than matching exactly.
Palettes that photograph well on the sand and under the oaks in cooler months include:
- Cream, ivory and camel, with one deeper piece
- Forest or olive green with white or cream
- Navy with cream or a muted burgundy
- Soft sage, dusty blue and white, if you want a quieter look
Add a layer you can keep on for portraits, such as a cardigan, a light coat or a scarf. Myrtle Beach evenings in November and December can feel mild until the wind comes off the water. Comfortable shoes that can come off in the sand are better than anything formal. Skip neon, large logos and busy novelty prints. A small detail, like a bow or a textured knit, is enough.
For a fuller beach outfit guide, see what to wear for beach family photos.
Where should you take Christmas card photos along the Grand Strand?
I recommend a location based on where you are staying, the look you want and how far everyone can walk.
- Myrtle Beach State Park: open sand, the fishing pier, and shade under the oaks in the same visit
- North Myrtle Beach and Cherry Grove: wide beach and quieter dune scenes
- Surfside Beach and Garden City: relaxed sand and pier light
- Murrells Inlet and Huntington Beach State Park: natural shoreline, with marsh nearby
- Pawleys Island, Litchfield and DeBordieu: quieter beaches toward Georgetown
If your rental sits on the oceanfront, we can often photograph right outside, which is easier with grandparents and little ones. Tell me where you are staying when you get in touch, and I will suggest the closest spot.
Should you choose the beach or a session under the oaks?
Both work for Christmas cards. The beach gives you open sky, soft evening color and the shoreline that feels like this coast. A session under the live oaks at Myrtle Beach State Park gives you greenery, shade and a warmer garden look that many families use for holiday cards.
I have photographed fall and holiday mini sessions in that oak setting, as well as full family sessions on the beach at sunrise and sunset. If you are choosing between them, tell me whether you want sand or trees, and I will let you know what is available for your dates.
How do you get the photos in time for holiday cards?
Book the date first, then plan the card. Sessions for a smaller family usually run about 30 minutes. Larger and extended families usually need 45 minutes to an hour. Your edited gallery typically arrives in two to three days through a private online gallery, ready to download and send to a printer.
If you want cards in the mail before Christmas, a November session is the most comfortable timeline. An early December session can still work if you design and print quickly, given the Postal Service’s December 17 recommendation for First-Class Mail.
What if it is cool, windy or rainy?
Cool air and a little wind are normal on the beach this time of year. We keep the session moving, use the dunes or a walkover if the breeze is strong, and plan on layers for the time before and after we photograph. For tides and conditions, see the Myrtle Beach photography weather guide.
If the weather turns, there is no fee to reschedule, and we look for another day that works for your family.
If you want Christmas family photos this season, get in touch with your dates, where you are staying and how many people are coming.
Frequently asked questions
When should we take Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach?
If you want holiday cards in the mail before Christmas, November or early December is the most practical window. Galleries typically arrive in two to three days. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing First-Class Mail in the contiguous United States by December 17, 2026, for expected delivery before December 25.
Can we take Christmas family photos at the beach, or do we need a studio?
You can take them at the beach. I photograph family sessions at sunrise or sunset along the Grand Strand, and those portraits work well for Christmas cards. I also photograph fall and holiday sessions under the live oaks at Myrtle Beach State Park if you prefer a greenery backdrop.
What should we wear for Christmas family photos at the beach?
Choose two or three colors, such as cream and forest green, navy and camel, or olive and white, and let everyone mix them. Add a comfortable layer for cooler evenings, and skip neon, large logos and busy novelty prints.
How soon will we get the photos?
Family galleries typically arrive in two to three days, which leaves time to design and print cards if you book in November or early December.
What if the weather is bad on our session day?
There is no fee to reschedule. We work together to find another day that works for your family.
Where do you photograph Christmas family photos in Myrtle Beach?
Along the Grand Strand, from North Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach State Park to Surfside, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Huntington Beach State Park, Pawleys Island, Litchfield and DeBordieu. Tell me where you are staying and I will suggest the closest beach or oak setting.
Planning your own session? Meet the Myrtle Beach family photographers, see our senior pictures, or send an inquiry.
