As soon as parents book a session with me, they all ask the same question: “What do we wear for family photos?!”
Not to worry! Dressing the fam feels super stressful, but it really doesn’t have to be. It’s totally possible to get everyone dressed and looking great before your family photo session. These are my top tips for making it happen!
MY TIPS FOR WHAT TO WEAR FOR FAMILY PHOTOS
COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH
If you’ve ever booked a family shoot with me, you know this is my number one tip. Gone are the days of matching polos and dresses for family photos. (Thank goodness.) Instead, choose colors and patterns that complement each other.
I love this family’s super toned-down, neutral look. The colors work well together, and since mom is the only one in a pattern, she doesn’t clash with anyone else.
START WITH A NEUTRAL BASE
You can’t go wrong with black, white, and denim. When in doubt, start there! Then, add colored pieces to different members of the family to create a cohesive look. Even if everyone’s denim washes and tones of black are slightly different, it looks fine on camera and creates a more natural, pieced-together look. Again, we don’t do matchy-matchy!
This large family did a great job of starting with a dark denim base and then adding subtle colors. If you’re bringing the extended family or grandparents (which I always recommend!), this just makes it easier for everyone to coordinate outfits and keep a consistent look.
DECIDE ON A COLOR PALETTE
Instead of choosing a single color to work off of, create a color palette. This gives everyone in the family a bit of direction without constricting their creativity. Depending on what you choose, you might even be able to avoid that trip to Target!
This cute family pulled off the red, white, and blue look without going full-on patriotic. Plus, the brighter colors added so much joy to their already-fun session.
These folks used mom’s dress as a jumping-off point to develop their color palette. Her print features the colors of both the girls’ solid-colored dresses. Then, dad just had to choose a dress shirt that coordinated!
KEEP A CONSISTENT VIBE
Whatever you choose to wear, make sure everyone looks like they’re dressed for the same occasion. If you want to wear your Sunday best, go for it! If you want to dress down in joggers and sneakers, have at it! Just make sure everyone’s on the same page.
I love the way this mama and her little girl wore coordinating casual dresses. The color of baby girl’s dress is also present in mom’s, making them look perfectly put together. And the bare feet on the mountaintop? Adorable!
KEEP THE KIDDOS COMFY
You know who isn’t going to smile for your family photos? A toddler crammed into an itchy, uncomfortable outfit. (Can you blame them?)
When dressing the kids, make sure they’re comfortable above all else. They should be able to run, jump, and play in whatever they’re wearing. Bonus points is you involve them in the process of picking their outfits!
This little family did a great job of prioritizing their kiddo’s comfort during their session. They popped her in this flowy little gingham number and then picked their outfits to coordinate. The result was a super happy baby with a couple of super stylish parents.
DRESS LIKE YOURSELF.
Just because you’re dressing up doesn’t mean you have to dress any type of way. I’m all about helping my families play up their personal styles, not forcing them into some box of what you ‘should’ wear for family photos. We want your personality to shine through, and the best way to make that happen is to dress in a way that feels genuine.
This sweet family did just that! They all picked outfits in a general color palette, but they put their own spin on it. Dad popped on his puffer and hat for some of the photos, and Grandma picked a scarf that tied the whole family together. It worked beautifully!
You can see this family’s personalities in their outfit choices, too. The mustard pants were a bold choice, but they worked perfectly with the ladies’ colors. Everybody looks amazing and happy on their own and as a group. That’s the goal!
DON’T SWEAT IT!
There’s no reason to agonize over what to wear for family photos. Just stick with the basics, keep it comfy, and (pretty please) avoid the matchy-matchy look. As long as you’re all having fun, your photos will be freaking adorable.
WHATEVER YOU WEAR FOR YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS, I PROMISE THEY’LL TURN OUT ADORABLE.
If you’re looking to schedule a fun, laid-back, totally ‘you’ family photo session, you’ve come to the right place. Head over to my contact form, shoot me a message, and let’s plan a day out with the fam.
For more inspiration and ideas of what you can wear for your family photos, head over to Instagram!
