What to Wear for Your Family Photography Session
One of the questions I hear most often before a family photography session is, “What should we wear?”
And honestly, I completely understand! Choosing outfits for an entire family can feel overwhelming. You want everyone to coordinate without looking overly matching, you want everyone to feel comfortable and confident, and of course—you want your photos to look beautiful years from now.
The good news? You don't have to make it complicated.
Here are some of my favorite tips for choosing outfits that photograph beautifully and help your family's personalities shine through.
Start With a Color Palette
Rather than choosing identical colors for everyone, start with a small color palette.
Think about 3–5 complementary colors that work well together. Neutrals, earthy tones, soft blues, creams, greens, browns, and muted warm tones are wonderful choices for family sessions.
For example:
* Cream
* Soft blue
* Sage green
* Tan
* Brown
Everyone can wear different colors from the palette while still looking cohesive as a family.
Think Coordinating, Not Matching
Gone are the days when everyone needs to wear the same white shirt and jeans!
Instead, think about how each outfit works alongside the others. If one person has a subtle pattern, someone else might wear a solid color that pulls from that pattern.
The goal is for your outfits to look like they belong together without looking like uniforms.
Choose Mom's Outfit First
If you're having a hard time figuring out where to start, I recommend choosing Mom's outfit first.
Find something you absolutely love and feel beautiful in, then build the rest of the family's outfits around it.
This can make the process much easier because you already have a color palette, style, and overall feel to work with.
And most importantly, choose something you feel comfortable moving in. Your session may include walking, sitting, playing with your children, and lots of cuddles!
Consider Texture
Texture adds so much visual interest to photographs.
Think:
* Knit sweaters
* Linen
* Lace
* Denim
* Corduroy
* Woven fabrics
* Quilted layers
* Flowy dresses
* Chunky cardigans
You can have several people wearing neutral colors without the images feeling flat simply by incorporating different textures.
Don't Be Afraid of Dresses and Skirts
Flowy dresses and skirts photograph beautifully, especially during outdoor sessions.
They create movement and add a soft, timeless feeling to your images. If you're comfortable wearing a dress, it's definitely something I'd encourage you to consider!
That said, you should never feel like you have to wear a dress. The most important thing is that you feel like yourself.
Keep Patterns Simple
Patterns can be beautiful, but too many bold patterns competing with one another can become distracting.
If someone is wearing a pattern, try keeping the rest of the family's outfits more subtle.
Small florals, delicate stripes, subtle plaids, and simple textures tend to photograph beautifully.
I generally recommend avoiding large logos, neon colors, and extremely bold graphics. These elements can pull attention away from the people who matter most—you!
Think About Your Location
Your outfits should complement the setting where your session takes place.
For an outdoor session surrounded by greenery, earthy and neutral tones can look beautiful.
For a cozy fall session, warm browns, creams, rust, mustard, and deep greens can create a gorgeous autumn palette.
For a winter session, think cozy sweaters, layers, creams, soft neutrals, and deeper tones.
And for a spring or summer session, soft blues, greens, creams, blush, and other lighter colors can create a fresh and timeless look.
Don't Forget the Shoes!
Shoes are an easy detail to overlook, but they will absolutely make their way into your photos.
Choose shoes that coordinate with your outfits and fit the setting.
For outdoor sessions, keep in mind that we may be walking through grass, fields, trails, or other natural areas. You don't want to spend your entire session worrying about ruining your favorite shoes!
Dress for the Season
Your family should look comfortable for the time of year we're photographing.
Layers are especially helpful because they give us options and add beautiful dimension to your images.
For cooler weather, consider:
Sweaters + jackets + scarves + boots
For warmer weather:
Lightweight dresses + linen + skirts + button-downs
And remember—if your children are uncomfortable, they're probably not going to enjoy having their photos taken. Comfort matters!
What About the Kids?
When choosing your children's outfits, prioritize comfort and personality.
If your little one hates wearing a certain type of clothing, their discomfort is likely going to show in the photographs.
Choose clothing they can move, play, and snuggle in.
I also recommend bringing a backup outfit for babies and toddlers, especially if we're photographing younger children. A little accident or spilled snack doesn't have to derail the entire session!
Avoid Trends That May Quickly Date Your Photos
Your family photos are something you'll hopefully look back on for decades.
While it's perfectly fine to incorporate your personal style, consider choosing pieces that feel timeless rather than following a very specific trend.
Neutral colors, classic silhouettes, natural textures, and simple patterns tend to stand the test of time beautifully.
Most Importantly: Be You
At the end of the day, your family session isn't really about the outfits.
It's about you.
It's about your children's little personalities, the way your husband looks at you, the way your toddler reaches for your hand, the laughter that happens when nobody is posing, and all of those little moments you never want to forget.
Your clothing should help you feel confident and comfortable so you can focus on what really matters—loving on your people.
And if you're still feeling unsure about what to wear, don't worry! I'm always happy to help you choose colors, coordinate outfits, or talk through options before your session.
A Simple Formula to Remember
When in doubt, try this:
Choose a color palette → Pick one outfit you love → Add coordinating colors → Mix textures → Keep patterns simple → Add layers → Choose comfortable shoes → Be yourself.
Your family doesn't have to look perfect.
They just have to look like your family.
And those are the photographs worth keeping.
