What to Wear in your Family Photos | Style Guide
Family Photoshoot Clothing Tips
Planning for family photos is an exciting time, but choosing what to wear for your family photos can feel overwhelming. You want everyone to look great, but not too matchy-matchy, and still feel comfortable. The right outfits can turn a good photo into a great one by creating harmony in it. The wrong ones distract from the overall look of the photo. Don’t worry – I’m here to make this easy!
In this style guide, I’ll walk you through what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to family photoshoots. Whether you’re going for a casual vibe or a more formal look, I’ve got you covered with simple tips to make your photos pop.
Bottom Line: Choosing what to wear for your family photos can be tricky. This guide will give you easy tips to help everyone look their best, from color schemes to outfit ideas, no matter the season or setting.
Understanding the Basics of Family Photo Outfits | The Mindset
1) COMFORT: Wear clothing that fits you well and makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Being comfortable both mentally & physically in your clothes will make you relaxed for your photos! Comfort in style is a very personal thing, so if you love getting dressed up, then GO for it! However, if that is not your style or you have concerns about wrangling kids in your finest clothing, then stick to what is elevated yet comfortable.
2) COORDINATION: Coordinate your outfits, but try not to be too matching. You want your outfits to complement each other. I recommend sticking in complementary colors or pallets. Earth tones, jewel tones, pastels, etc. If one is planning on wearing a floral dress, I recommend your partner/kids wear solids, or a smaller print. Try to limit your outfits to only one bold, high contrast print, otherwise it will look to busy.
3) TEXTURES, PATTERNS & DISTRACTIONS: Adding different fabric textures, or patterns are a great way to break up the monotony of solid colors. I recommend staying away from large prints and large stripes. They tend to draw the eye away & large horizontal stripes have a widening effect, making you appear larger than you are. Avoid logos, words, or distracting designs as these things can draw the eye.
4) LAYERS & ACCESSORIES: Don’t be afraid to layer and accessorize. Layers add depth to your photograph and don’t be afraid of necklaces, earrings, or bracelets! Bring a variety of necklaces, scarfs, jackets, vests, hats, or whatever you love to wear! It should represent you.
4) MATCH THE COUCH: Ok, not literally. But beyond choosing colors that are flattering for you all, consider where these photos will go. If you want to have a big canvas print over your couch, then coordinate with it and the living room.
5) LOCATION: Also, imagine the location of the photo shoot & the time of year. If you’re going to be surrounded by snow, then you’ll want to avoid lots of white, otherwise you will blend in with the background. If you’ll be in a very green forest setting, certain vibrant greens or yellows will clash or in the least will lack contrast.
Key Tips for Choosing Family Photo Outfits | The Method
Now that you understand the mindset for picking out your clothing, it’s time to get more specific on the “how”:
1) STICK TO A COLOR PALETTE: Pick a few base colors & possibly 1 accent color to coordinate through your outfits. For fall & winter, incorporating rich jewel tones – reds, merlots, emerald, sapphire blue, deep purples – are typically flattering for most. Summer can be rich, bright or even lighter palettes as well, but remember, the first rule to follow is choosing colors you look good in! Fill in any gaps with neutrals.
2) FEATURE PIECE: Sometimes you may have a clothing item you absolutely love, whether it’s for yourself or your child. If that item meets the other criteria, consider arranging the other clothing around it.
2) LAY IT OUT: Once you have an idea of your color palette, go into your closets and pull out any times that might harmonize with the theme & weather. Now lay them out on your bed, or (clean) floor. Swap out different items until you get the look you’re hoping for. Take photos on your phone of each combination, if you’re not sure & send them to a friend or even better, your photographer for input.
2) PROCRASTINATION: Make sure you have your outfits picked (including shoes and accessories) a few days before your shoot, so you’re not stressing out at the last minute. Make sure everyone has tried on the clothing items too, to ensure you’re both comfortable with what you’re wearing.
3) FOOTWEAR: Your feet will be in some of the photos, so choosing good footwear is important. We do tend to walk & move in your session. If you’re planning on wearing heels, then definitely bring flats or other shoes with you so you can easily move locations. Let’s not break an ankle!
4) UNDER GARMENTS: Do consider the visibility of under garments if you don’t want them to be seen. While this is true for adults, it is especially important for little ones who will be wearing dresses. Bring a pair of dark, neutral or coordinating shorts since you will be picking up & playing with your little ones.
5) WRINKLES: Please do your best to iron or steam out wrinkles from clothing before your photo shoot, as they can be distracting & cost extra to edit in post. Wrinkles can happen when you’re driving for a while with many materials. For materials that wrinkle easily, I highly recommend wearing an undershirt and putting on your clothing item when you arrive to the shooting location.
What NOT to Wear for Family Photos
- Ill-fitting clothing. Make sure your clothes fit you well so that you feel confident in them. Items that are too baggy can make you look bigger than you really are. Clothing that is too tight can emphasize the wrong things.
- All in bright white or black matching shirts and khakis, unless you are layering with those colors. Or going for an ironic look. 🙂
- Tops with big logos/text of any kind or a lot of writing on them.
- Shirts with short hemlines. Super short skirts or shorts.
- Exact matching outfits. Look coordinated, not matching.
- For tighter tops (or sleeveless tops/dresses), always bring a cardigan or cute jacket or wrap for layering. Layers always win.
Where to find outfit ideas | The Inspiration
If you go to your closet & come up empty handed, it may be time to take to the stores! Sites like Pinterest (←click for my personal outfit inspiration board) are great for finding clothing inspiration – just search for “family photo outfits” or “what to wear for family photos”! You can even add the color you have in mind and the season your shoot will be in (fall, winter, etc) to your search. With Canva or other apps/sites, you can even create your own outfit boards for inspiration.
Shopping Recommendations
If you like the full skirt/dresses, etc or just generally don’t have a clue where to shop, here’s what I know. A lot of my clients tell me they buy a handful of things from Amazon prime, especially items like flowy skirts where an exact fit isn’t important, and then keep what fits & return the rest (check return policies!).
Here are some specific Online & In Person Stores for Shopping:
- Amazon
- Old Navy
- ASOS
- LuLus
- ZARA
- Target
- Free People
Final Tips for Stress-Free Family Photos
Always bring coordinating jackets or shawls, even in the summer since Colorado mountains still get chilly during the hours of the day with the best light. Yes, even in July or August.
If you have little ones who you are at an age of defiance with any instruction, I recommend having some kind of bribery in your back pocket. Whether its candy they love waiting for them after the shoot, or the promise of a toy. You know your child best, so this is the time to let those things work their magic.
Now that you know what to wear for your family photos, it’s time to put these tips into action! Remember, the key is coordination, not matching. With the right colors, textures, and outfits, you can create a look that’s both stylish and comfortable for everyone. So go ahead, plan those outfits, and get ready to capture those special moments with confidence!
Got more family photo tip questions? Send me a message through my contact form here! I can provide more feedback once your photo shoot is scheduled & I have more specifics.
Let’s make your next family photo session a memorable one!
