Deciding on family photo outfits can be really stressful. After all, you have to keep so many things in mind while picking what each member will wear. For example, you need to consider the color palette that will complement your theme of the session, the weather, and the individual style of every family member. Also, coordinating outfits without being overly matchy is a delicate balance to strike. With so many factors at play, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But, a little planning and creativity can really turn family photography into an enjoyable experience. Here are some family photo outfit ideas that you can try out for your next session.
The Best Family Photo Outfit Tips for Your Next Session
Family photography is a cherished way to capture the love, connection, and unique personalities that make your family special. And selecting the right outfit is a major part of the process. You can choose what to wear based on your family dynamics, personal style, seasons, and locations. Having difficulty choosing the right family photo outfits? Well, don’t worry; we are listing down some really solid tips to make the outfit selection process easy for you.
Important!
Pick outfits that make everyone feel like themselves while still achieving a cohesive look that tells your family’s story.
Planning a family photo session in the woods? Or in the living room of your home? Well, let’s help you create some cherishable memories and timeless photographs with these outfit selection tips:
Where to Start: Build All Outfits Around One Statement Piece!
Is there a clothing item that you or a family member absolutely loves? Maybe your toddler’s shoes? Or a scarf that your grandma passed on to you? It can be anything you find special – a jumper, jacket, dress, or anything that resonates with you. Pick a stand-out item and start building the family outfits around it. This way you can easily create a cohesive look for the entire family that feels both intentional and stylish.
What Colors to Choose for Your Family Photo Outfits?
Here’s our suggestion for starting your “what to wear” quest: when choosing colors, you have plenty of options! Pastels, neutrals, or jewel tones can all work beautifully. Just be sure the colors in everyone’s outfits complement each other and align with the overall vibe of the session.
Color Selection Tip!
If you want to keep things simple, go for neutrals like cream, brown, gray, white, or brown. They are a safe choice and pair well with almost any season or location.
The color scheme is the base of your family portrait outfits. So, you have to pick it wisely. Also, make sure that the colors you choose go with the surroundings as well as the theme of your session. Most importantly, every family member should wear complementary colors. Here are some of the best color picks for both outdoor and indoor family photography sessions.
What are the Best Colors for Your Outdoor Family Photo Outfits?
If you are planning a family photo session outdoors, picking the right colors becomes a little more complex. This is because you have to make sure that your outfit matches the surrounding nature. For example, a bright orange may not look good in the woods. Instead, we suggest you go for earthy tones, soft greens, browns, or muted yellows. Similarly, if your photo session is at the beach, soft blues, whites, or sandy tones might pair with the beachy backdrop beautifully.
Importance of Color Theory!
Remember that contrasting colors can elevate the photographs while clashing colors can distract. So, choose colors that complement your skin tone, outfits of other family members, and the theme of the photo session.
If your photo session is outdoors, there is another thing you should consider: the season. After all, every season gives a different color palette to nature. Here are the best color options for every season. So, whenever you book your family photography session, this guide has you covered.
Colors for Early Summer
Summers are filled with warmth and sunshine, making it important to consider the natural surroundings when choosing outfits for an outdoor photo session. The color palette also varies between early and late summer, adding another layer to your selection process.
Early summers are all about freshly bloomed flowers and lush greenery. During this time, you can go for:
- Soft Pastels
- Bright Whites
- Coral & Peach
Pastels like light pinks, baby blues, and mint greens can create a soft, dreamy look. On the other hand, crisp white outfits are timeless and can provide a clean and fresh look. Peach or coral are warm, inviting colors that capture the essence of summer with their joyful and vibrant energy. These three are the top options for your early summer family photo outfit ideas. Now, let’s talk about what colors to wear for your late summer session.
Colors for Late Summer
Well, as summer peaks, the season colors shift from being bright to deeper and richer. To make things easier, we’ve put together a separate list of colors to consider for your family photo sessions during this season.
- Emerald Green
- Sapphire Blue
- Deep Yellows
- Muted Neutrals
- Sunset Colors
Choosing jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red can add a touch of elegance, but they can be tricky to play with! So, use these colors wisely in your outfits. If you think pulling these off is difficult, pick other colors, like muted neutrals. These include soft taupes, grays, and creams. You can also go for sunset shades like soft pinks, warm oranges, and deep purples. These will look amazing, especially during golden hour.
Colors for Spring
Spring is the season of colors. And you have so many color options to play with. Here are some of our top picks if you have booked your family photo session in the spring season:
- Pastels
- Creams
- Terracotta
- Muted green
- Purples
- Neutrals
You can also wear any bright color for your spring session. But, soft pastels like mint green, baby blue, and blush pink are a way better choice. They help you create a sense of calm and freshness during the session. Earthy tones like muted green, soft brown, or warm terracotta are also great spring family photo outfits. Want to play it safe with colors? If so, simply choose a neutral color palette.
Colors for Fall
Fall is the perfect time to book your family photo session. The falling leaves and the cozy atmosphere sets the perfect tone for capturing photographs with your loved ones. Here are some color palettes that you can consider for your fall family photo ideas clothing:
- Burgundy
- Mustard Yellow
- Olive Green
- Burnt Orange
- Cream or Beige
- Gray
- Navy Blue
Earthy tones like burgundy, mustard yellow, olive green, and burnt orange are ideal for fall photo session outfits. For a more versatile and timeless option, choose neutral colors, which can be styled in countless ways and effortlessly complement both bright and earthy tones.
Fall Clothing Hack!
You can add a pop of color to your neutral outfits with accessories in richer colors, like deep red, etc.
Colors for Winter
Winter is not the most ideal season to plan your family photography session. But many families still have a ritual of clicking annual family photos during the holiday season. When planning a family session, you have a lot of Winter Family Photo Outfit Ideas to consider. Here are some colors you can go for:
- Green
- Red
- Blue
- White
- Brown
- Neutrals
Whether you plan your photo session in the summers or winters, you now know what color will go when. Apart from this, you should also know what colors you should never pick.
Quick Question: What Colors to Avoid for Your Family Photo Session?
Avoid wearing neon colors; they don’t photograph well and can cast unflattering tones on your skin. All-black outfits are also a big no. While black may look fine in moderation, black-on-black combinations often lose detail. Another color to avoid is turquoise clothes, because they usually clash with natural skin tones. You can add turquoise accessories to your outfit though.
What are the Best Colors for Your Indoor Family Photo Outfits?
For in-home or studio family sessions, you have more flexibility with color choices! In studio settings, neutral outfits work best to keep the focus on your family without overpowering the space. But for solo portraits? Go bold and show your personality – anything goes!
On the other hand, In-home sessions should reflect the colors and style of your home. Is your home all about bright, vibrant vibes? Grays and whites? Minimalist chic? Let your home’s personality guide your outfit planning to create a seamless, cohesive look.
How to Choose Patterns for Your Family Photo Outfits?
When selecting outfits for your family photographs, we recommend avoiding patterns altogether or keeping them to an absolute minimum. If you do choose to include a pattern, limit it to one subtle design on a single family member, while the others wear solid colors. This ensures that the focus remains on your faces, not the clothing. Avoid mixing multiple patterns, as they can feel overly busy and distracting, taking attention away from the most important part of the photograph—you!
Can You Add Textures to Your Family Photo Outfits?
Yes, you can! When it comes to your family photography session, going for textured fabrics like knit, waffle, linen, corduroy, or lace takes your outfits to the next level. If you want your photographs to turn out elegant and luxurious, you can wear satin or silk. Ladies, you can wear flowy skirts to amp up the results even more. Adding layers (scarves, vests, leather jackets) to your outfit also works well.
What to Avoid?
Overly flashy designs or graphics are not a good choice for family photo outfits. They can be distracting and can clash with the photo session’s coordinated style.
Some Styling Tips for Your Family Outfits
When it comes to outfits for family photos, it all comes down to styling your clothes right. It is not just about choosing the right colors or patterns or textures. In fact, it’s about how they work together to create a flattering look for everyone. Also, comfort is key when it comes to styling. Here are some styling tips for the men, women, and kids in your family:
Family Photo Styling Tips for Women
Ladies, are you wondering what to wear for your family photography session? Here are some tips you can follow and look absolutely stunning:
Pick Flattering Clothing
Choose outfits that highlight your best features! With the right styling, you can also minimize attention to areas you’d prefer not to emphasize. For instance, if you’d rather not draw focus to your arms, opt for a dress with sleeves or add a layer like a sweater or cardigan. On the other hand, if you love showcasing your legs, a shorter dress can be a great choice for family photos.
Check for Comfort and Hidden Straps
It’s important to ensure you can move freely during your photo session without worrying about visible bra straps. Since the session may involve plenty of movement—walking, picking up kids, and more—you’ll want to feel comfortable and distraction-free. Be sure to try everything on beforehand, and if a strap is prone to peeking out, secure it with pins, fashion tape, or consider switching to a different bra.
Make Sure Clothes Aren’t See-Through
This is an important step that’s often overlooked: always double-check that your clothes aren’t see-through. This is especially crucial if you’re purchasing dresses from retailers like Amazon, as the fabric can sometimes be thinner than expected and reveal more than you’d prefer. A helpful tip: test your outfit in natural sunlight to ensure it’s not too sheer.
Wear Dresses for the Session
Dresses are a fantastic choice for almost any family photography theme and tend to look flattering on everyone. For a luxurious touch, consider dresses made from materials like satin or silk. If dresses aren’t your style, a long skirt is a great alternative, offering a similar elegant vibe while keeping you comfortable. Pair your skirt with a shirt or tank top, and ensure your outfit highlights your silhouette beautifully.
Family Photo Outfit Styling Tips for Men
When it comes to men’s styling for family photos, the key is to keep it simple! We suggest you choose classic and timeless pieces. Here are some more easy-to-follow tips to ensure the guys look great while feeling relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
Simple and Classic Looks for Men
A casual look is often the perfect choice for men. An untucked button-down shirt paired with jeans or casual pants creates a timeless and effortlessly stylish outfit. This versatile style works well with virtually any photography theme.
Avoid Cargo Shorts
If you plan to wear shorts, avoid cargo shorts entirely. While they might work in a pinch, shorts without bulky pockets are a much better choice. Opt for pocket-free shorts for a cleaner, more polished look.
Don’t Wear Performance Fabrics
Sporty golf polos aren’t the best choice for family photos, as they don’t suit all body types. Additionally, performance fabrics tend to cling to the stomach area, which can be less ideal for photos. Instead, choose something more breathable and relaxed to ensure you look and feel your best.
Cotton Polos and Button-Downs
This brings us to the big question: if not polo shirts, then what should you wear? Opt for something classic, like a cotton shirt. Even better, consider a button-down shirt, a comfortable t-shirt, or a flannel shirt—but make sure the flannel isn’t plaid or patterned. These timeless options are always a winning choice for family photos.
Family Photo Styling Tips for Kids
Dressing kids for family photos can be a challenge, but with the right approach, it can also be fun and stress-free. The key is to prioritize their happiness and comfort at all costs—when they feel good, it shows in the photos!
Family Photo Session Tip!
Candid and play-based poses are the best for kids. These genuine expressions make for the most memorable and joyful family photos.
Here are some tips to follow to ace your kids’ styling for the family photo session:
Comfort is Key
When dressing kids for family photos, comfort should always come first. Make sure they’re warm enough and happy with what they’re wearing. After all, your precious moments can be ruined by your child’s scratchy tags, uncomfortable shoes, or clothes they simply don’t like. This is why you should have them try on all the planned outfits before the session to ensure they feel comfortable in what they’re wearing.
Check the Diaper
A saggy diaper isn’t a great look for any little one! Even if it’s hidden when your baby or toddler is standing, sitting or being held might reveal it. The focus should stay on their adorable smiles, not on a sagging diaper. To avoid this, consider using a color-coordinated diaper cover, which you can easily find on Etsy or Amazon.
Watch for Tucked-in Shirts
Kids are always on the move. So, make sure their shirts stay tucked if that’s the look you are going for. If their shirt keeps coming untucked, consider letting it stay loose. You can also choose a longer shirt that won’t constantly ride up.
Add Cute Accessories
Have teething babies or toddlers? You can add adorable and functional accessories to their outfit. Matchy silicone teething necklaces or bracelets can double as stylish additions to your outfit while keeping your little one content. Also, a cute bow headband, a solid-colored bib, or a tiny hat can add a playful touch to your baby’s look.
Pro Tip: Try Out All the Outfits Before the Session Day!
Before the big day, have a dress rehearsal with your family to try on all the selected outfits for your family photos. This way, you can check for comfort, fit, and style. Pay attention to how the colors look together in natural light. With this practice run, the kids will get used to their outfits, reducing any last-minute fuss. Also, you’ll be able to make adjustments and alterations ahead of time. If you need any more outfit inspo, check out our family photography gallery.
Conclusion
Wondering what to wear for your family photos? The above guide has you equipped with all the clothing & styling tips to make sure that you and your loved ones look great in your photographs. Choosing the perfect family outfits requires a blend of planning, creativity, and practicality. The outfits should be stylish, comfortable, and subtle enough to make everyone shine through equally. Kids’ outfits need a little more attention; if they don’t feel comfortable, it will show in the photos. Remember, the goal is to make cherishable memories and capture the essence of your family through stunning photographs. So, whatever outfits you choose, they should fit this vision while keeping everyone comfortable and confident.
Jacklyn Greenberg, a sought-after photographer, is the co-founder of JAGstudios. Along with her team, she’s been creating timeless artwork that highlights love, strength, and beauty. She has always been believed in connecting deeply with clients through emotion and energy.
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