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A family photoshoot in Aruba can give you the one picture of everyone together that you’ll actually frame. It can also turn into forty minutes of a toddler crying in the sand while the sun goes down. The difference usually comes down to planning: the right time slot for your kids, colors that work on a white beach, a calm location, and a bag of small tricks. Here’s how to set up a family session that’s fun for the kids and gives you photos you’ll love.

Quick answer: family photoshoot in Aruba

  • Best time: the hour before sunset for warm light, or an early-morning session for small kids who melt down by evening.
  • Best locations for kids: calm west-coast beaches such as Eagle Beach and Arashi Beach, or Baby Beach in the south if you want a shallow lagoon.
  • What to wear: coordinated solid colors in two or three soft tones, no big logos.
  • Keep it short: 30 to 45 minutes of actual shooting is plenty for young children.
  • Bring: water, snacks, a small towel, wipes and reef-safe sunscreen applied well beforehand.
A windswept tree on white sand beside turquoise water in Aruba
Windswept trees and white sand make an easy family backdrop. Photo: Marc Snailum via Unsplash

Timing a family photoshoot around kids and sunset

Golden hour, the warm, low light before sunset, is the most flattering time for portraits. In Aruba it starts roughly half an hour before sunset, and most photographers begin a little earlier. The catch is that sunset falls between about 6:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. depending on the month, which is right around dinner, bath and bedtime for many young children.

Date Sunrise (about) Sunset (about) Golden hour starts (about)
January 15 7:05 a.m. 6:33 p.m. 6:04 p.m.
April 15 6:28 a.m. 6:52 p.m. 6:24 p.m.
July 15 6:22 a.m. 7:09 p.m. 6:40 p.m.
October 15 6:30 a.m. 6:21 p.m. 5:53 p.m.
November 15 6:38 a.m. 6:10 p.m. 5:42 p.m.

Times calculated for Oranjestad by All Tours Aruba; check a daily sunset calculator such as timeanddate.com for your date. Our Aruba sunset times guide lists every month, and our sunset photography tips help if you’re taking a few family snaps yourself.

Sunset or sunrise?

  • Sunset sessions give the classic glowing look. They work best for kids over about four, or little ones who nap well in the afternoon. Feed them an early snack so nobody is hungry mid-shoot.
  • Sunrise sessions suit babies and toddlers who wake early anyway, and you’ll have the sand mostly to yourselves. Because the main beaches face west, the sun rises behind you over land, so you get soft light rather than a sun-on-the-water shot.
  • Schedule it early in your trip. If someone gets sick, sunburned or simply has a bad evening, you still have days left to reschedule.

Keep the afternoon before the shoot quiet. A session right after a big day of swimming usually ends in tears.

Colors that work on an Aruba beach

White sand reflects a lot of light, and the sea and sky add plenty of blue. Clothes that complement that palette look calm and timeless.

  • Pick two or three colors for the whole family rather than matching outfits. White, cream, sand, soft blue, sage and blush are reliable choices.
  • Avoid big logos, characters and busy prints. They pull the eye away from faces.
  • Skip neon and very dark colors. Neon casts color onto skin, and black can look heavy against bright sand.
  • Choose fabrics that handle wind. Light cotton and linen move nicely. Very full or very short skirts can blow around.
  • Go barefoot on the sand. Bring shoes for the walk from the car, then leave them in a bag.

Our sunset photoshoot guide goes deeper on outfits.

Two people relaxing in beach chairs under an umbrella on an Aruba beach
Find shade to wait in before the session starts. Photo: Lex Melony via Unsplash

Keeping toddlers and little kids happy

Most good family photos happen when kids forget there’s a camera. A few simple tricks help:

  • Let them play first. Five minutes of digging, running or chasing waves warms them up and gives the photographer natural shots.
  • Use games, not poses. “Run to Dad,” “whisper a secret to Grandma,” or a group tickle produces real smiles.
  • Don’t force the smile. Repeated “cheese” gets a stiff grin; let the photographer lead.

If you want someone who already knows the light, the quiet corners of the beach and how to coax a smile out of a shy four-year-old, booking a professional sunset photoshoot takes most of the guesswork out of it. Our guide to hiring a photographer in Aruba lists the questions to ask first.

Wind, sand and sun safety

The Aruba Tourism Authority notes steady trade winds all year, picking up from May to October. Wind is great for flowing hair, but it also blows sand into small eyes.

  • Shoot with the wind at your backs where possible, so hair and sand blow away from faces.
  • Bring a towel and a small bottle of water for rinsing sandy hands before close-ups.
  • Use reef-safe sunscreen. Aruba has penalized the import, sale and production of sunscreen containing oxybenzone since July 2020, according to VisitAruba, so choose an oxybenzone-free formula. Apply it at least half an hour before the session so it doesn’t look shiny on camera.
  • Stay hydrated. Even late in the day it’s warm. The tourism authority gives average temperatures of about 80°F to 90°F year-round.
  • Watch the water. The tourism authority describes the west and south coasts as calm and protected and the north and east coasts as rougher, with stronger winds and waves. Keep little ones on the calm side and out of the surf in nice clothes.
  • Respect turtle nests. Aruba’s government asks beachgoers to keep away from nests, avoid lights near the sea at night, and fill in holes dug in the sand so nesting turtles aren’t blocked, per its turtle season notice. Kids love digging, so flatten their holes before you leave.

Multi-generation and large groups

Grandparents and cousins make the most meaningful photos, and the most logistics.

  • Tell the photographer the exact head count and how many family groupings you want (everyone, each household, grandparents with grandkids).
  • Do the big group shot first, while everyone is fresh and tidy. Then split into smaller groups and let the youngest kids go play.
  • Pick a spot with easy access. Long walks over soft sand are hard for older relatives.
  • Bring a folding stool or chair for anyone who can’t stand for long. It can stay out of frame between shots.
  • Share the color palette in advance so nobody shows up in a clashing shirt.
People swimming in clear turquoise water at a beach in Aruba
Calm, clear water is easier for kids than the rough north coast. Photo: Satyawan Narinedhat via Unsplash

Family-friendly photo locations

Location Why families like it Keep in mind
Eagle Beach Wide sand and the famous fofoti trees Popular at sunset; most turtle nests are here
Arashi Beach Calm, shallow water and free shade huts Arrive early to claim a hut
Baby Beach Shallow lagoon described as ideal for small children About 45 minutes’ drive from the Palm Beach hotels

The tourism authority calls Eagle Beach the widest beach in Aruba, and its two fofoti trees are among the most photographed fofoti trees on the island. Arashi Beach, near the northern tip, has calm, shallow water and several free shade huts. Baby Beach is a half-moon lagoon near San Nicolas, shallow enough to wade a long way out. Keep kids inside the lagoon: where the bay opens to the sea, the tourism authority advises staying within the marked snorkel area.

See our guides to Eagle Beach and Baby Beach, plus the most photogenic spots in Aruba for more backdrops. If you’re planning other outings with the kids, our roundup of family-friendly tours in Aruba covers age limits and safety.

White sand, palm trees and clear blue water on a beach near Oranjestad, Aruba
Palms and clear water near Oranjestad. Photo: Martin Kucharik via Unsplash

What to bring to the shoot

  • Water bottles and non-messy snacks
  • A small towel and baby wipes for sandy hands and faces
  • Reef-safe, oxybenzone-free sunscreen (applied ahead of time)
  • A comb, hair ties and a few clips for wind
  • A spare outfit for the toddler who will definitely sit in the water

FAQ

What is the best time for a family photoshoot in Aruba?

The hour before sunset gives the warmest light. Sunset ranges from about 6:10 p.m. in mid-November to about 7:10 p.m. in July. For babies and toddlers who fade by evening, an early-morning session is a good alternative.

How long should a family photoshoot with kids last?

For young children, 30 to 45 minutes of shooting is usually enough. Large groups may need longer.

What should a family wear for beach photos in Aruba?

Coordinated solid colors in two or three soft tones, such as white, sand, soft blue or sage. Avoid big logos, neon and busy prints, and choose fabrics that handle wind.

Which Aruba beach is best for a family photoshoot?

Eagle Beach is the classic for its fofoti trees and wide sand. Arashi Beach has calm water and shade huts, and Baby Beach has a shallow lagoon, though it’s about 45 minutes from the Palm Beach hotels.

What sunscreen should we use in Aruba?

Use a reef-safe, oxybenzone-free sunscreen. Aruba has penalized the import, sale and production of sunscreen with oxybenzone since July 2020.

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