What to Wear for Family Photos: A Complete Guide
Updated: 4 days ago
If there’s one question I hear from families before their photo session, it’s probably, “What should we wear?”
And I completely understand! Choosing outfits for an entire family can feel a little overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sure everyone coordinates without looking like you all showed up in matching uniforms.
The good news? You don’t have to make it complicated.
When you’re planning your family photos, I recommend choosing outfits that feel like you, while keeping a few simple styling tips in mind. The goal is for your family to look coordinated and comfortable while keeping the focus on the people you love most.
Here are some of my favorite tips for deciding what to wear for family photos.
A Quick Note Before We Get Started
Everything in this guide is meant to be a suggestion, not a list of rules you have to follow! If you have a specific vision for your photos—maybe a fun, bold color palette for summer or even classic jeans and white shirts—let’s go with it!
At the end of the day, I want your photos to feel like your family. And if you have an idea but aren’t sure how it will photograph, send it my way! I’m always happy to give you another opinion or help you pull everything together.
Start With a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
In general, I suggest choosing two or three colors that work well together rather than dressing everyone in matching outfits.
You can mix different shades, textures, and a subtle pattern or two throughout everyone’s outfits. This creates a cohesive look without making everyone look matchy-matchy.
If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the color palette examples below or at the end of this post. I’ve paired photos from real family sessions with the colors they wore so you can see how different combinations photograph.
You don’t need to use every color in a palette. And if you’re still unsure, I’m always happy to help with suggestions!
Think About the Season and Location
The setting and time of year can help guide your family photo color schemes. This is especially helpful when choosing outfits for outdoor sessions around Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania, VA, where the scenery changes so much throughout the year.
For an outdoor fall session, warm earth tones, rust, olive, cream, and cozy textures can complement the changing landscape beautifully.
For spring and summer sessions, softer colors, lighter neutrals, and breathable fabrics tend to work well with the fresh greenery and warmer weather.
You don’t need to perfectly match the scenery. Just keep your location in mind and choose colors that complement the surroundings rather than compete with them.
Choose One Outfit First
Getting started is usually the hardest part. My best suggestion? Choose one outfit you absolutely love and build from there.
Maybe it’s Mom’s favorite dress, your little girl’s patterned romper, or your son’s corduroy jacket. Once you have that first piece, pull a few colors from it to help choose everyone else’s outfits.
It’s much easier than trying to plan the entire family at once!
Choose Clothes You Feel Good In
Comfort matters more than you might think! During your session, you’ll be walking, sitting, snuggling, playing with your kids, and probably doing a little running around.
Choose clothes that allow you to move without constantly adjusting them. If you already know you’re always tugging at a certain blouse or fixing a waistband, your photo session probably isn’t the day to wear it.
The same goes for the kids. Little ones move a lot, so make sure their clothes let them play comfortably. For little girls wearing dresses, check the length while they’re sitting, being held, and moving around—not just while they’re standing.
When everyone is comfortable, it’s much easier to forget about the clothes and enjoy the session.
Add Texture and Layers
Once you have your colors figured out, texture is one of my favorite ways to add visual interest.
Think denim, corduroy, waffle knits, lace, ruffles, chunky sweaters, chiffon, or other fabrics with a little dimension. Layers like cardigans and jackets are another easy way to add texture while making everyone’s outfits feel more put together.
You don’t need a lot. A few different textures mixed with simple solid pieces can make your family photo outfits feel interesting without looking busy.
Accessories can add personality, too! Simple jewelry, bows, hats, or other small details can be a fun addition.
Keep Patterns Simple
Patterns can absolutely work in family photos! The trick is to avoid putting everyone in a different bold pattern.
I usually recommend choosing one or two subtle patterns and pairing them with solid colors and textures.
For example, if one child is wearing a small floral print, pull a few colors from that pattern for Mom, Dad, and the other kids.
The goal isn’t to avoid patterns altogether—it’s simply to keep them from competing with your family in the photos.
One quick note about stripes: I recommend avoiding very thin stripes. They can sometimes create a strange wavy effect in photos (called moiré).
What Should Kids Wear for Family Photos?
For kids, I recommend choosing outfits that feel a little more polished than their everyday play clothes while still keeping them comfortable.
Dresses, bows, sweaters, layers, suspenders, and other little details can photograph beautifully. But above all, make sure your kids can move and play in whatever you choose.
Your children won’t be expected to stand perfectly still and smile at the camera for the entire session. In fact, I’ll probably encourage them to move, play, and be silly!
If they need to run around, we’ll let them run. If your little one would rather be held than stand on their own, we’ll work with that too.
Those in-between moments often lead to some of my favorite photos.
What Should Mom and Dad Wear?
For Mom, choose something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. A flowy dress can photograph beautifully, but if dresses aren’t your thing, you absolutely don’t have to wear one. A favorite pair of jeans, a blouse, sweater, or another outfit you feel great in can work just as well.
For Dad, dress pants or a nice pair of jeans paired with a button-down, sweater, or other well-fitting shirt are all great options. I generally recommend skipping athletic shorts, sandals, and baseball caps for your session.
Don’t be afraid to dress up! You’re never too dressed up for family photos. A dress, skirt, or polished outfit can add a special touch to your images—but if that’s not your style, choose something that feels like you.
One little detail that’s easy to forget: empty those pockets! Phones, keys, and bulky wallets can create noticeable lumps in photos. Before we start shooting, leave anything you don’t need in the car or toss it in a bag that we can set aside during your session.
Don’t Forget About Shoes + Socks
Shoes are easy to overlook when you’re planning outfits, but they can make a surprisingly big difference in the finished photos—especially kids’ shoes!
Leave the well-loved play shoes at home if you can. Boots, simple dress shoes, or clean, classic shoes usually photograph well while still keeping everyone comfortable.
Don’t forget to think about socks, too! Bright or colorful socks peeking out from under your child’s pants can be distracting in photos, so simple, neutral socks are usually the best choice.
Keep your location in mind, too. If you plan to wear heels, bring comfortable shoes for walking between spots. Your feet will thank you!
Where Should You Shop?
You definitely don’t need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for your family session. You may already have the perfect pieces hanging in your closet!
If you do need a few new items, some of my favorite places to check are Old Navy, Target, H&M, Rylee & Cru, Zara, Baltic Born, and Amazon.
Before you start shopping, though, take a look at what everyone already owns. Pick one piece you love, choose your
color palette, and you may be surprised by how much you can put together without buying everything new.
Most Importantly, Don’t Stress!
I know deciding what to wear for family pictures can feel overwhelming, but don’t let outfit planning take away from the fun of your session.
Your kids may get messy, run around, or refuse to sit still—and that’s okay! My job is to help you feel comfortable, guide you through the session, and capture the moments that feel like you.
Choose colors and clothes that feel good, add a little texture and personality, and let the rest go. We’ll have fun, make memories, and I’ll take care of the photos.
Quick Family Photo Outfit Checklist
Before your session, take one last look at everyone’s outfits:
Do our colors coordinate without looking too matchy-matchy?
Do we have two or three main colors tying everything together?
Are our patterns simple and not competing with one another?
Have we added a little texture or layering?
Can everyone comfortably sit, walk, and move in their clothes?
Do our outfits work with the season and location?
Are everyone’s shoes clean and coordinated?
If you can check most of those boxes, you’re in great shape!
And remember: there’s no perfect outfit. The most important thing is that you’re together, having fun, and creating photographs you’ll love for years to come.
Planning family photos in Spotsylvania or Fredericksburg, VA? I’d love to help you create photos that feel like your family. And when it comes time to plan your outfits, I’m always happy to help with colors and outfit ideas along the way.
Not quite ready to book? Join my email list to be the first to hear about upcoming mini sessions and session availability.
Real Family Photo Outfit Ideas + Color Palettes
Need a little more inspiration? Here are real families I’ve photographed and the color palettes they used. See how different colors, textures, and patterns come together beautifully in actual family photos.
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