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Let’s Talk About What to Wear for Family Photos (Because It Matters More Than You Think)
Okay, friend—let’s be real for a second. Figuring out what to wear for family photos can feel like just one more thing on the to-do list. Between getting the kids dressed, coordinating with your partner, and trying to find something you feel good in… it’s a lot. I get it. I’m a mom too.
But here’s the thing: your outfits really do matter.
The clothes you choose set the entire tone of your session. They help your photos feel like you—elevated, natural, joyful, and timeless. Think of them as the setting for your story. When everyone’s outfits coordinate without looking too “matchy,” when the colors flow, and when you feel confident in what you’re wearing… the magic happens. You can relax, have fun with your family, and create images you’ll love forever.
This guide is packed with tips on what to wear for family photos, whether you’re dressing toddlers or teens, partners who hate shopping (hi, dads), or trying to find that perfect dress for yourself. We’ll chat about color palettes, how to mix patterns, where to shop, and how to pull everything together without the stress.
And if you’re working with me—good news! I offer a styling consultation and personalized style boards to help you plan your family’s outfits from start to finish. You don’t have to do this alone.
Ready to feel amazing in front of the camera? Let’s jump in.
What to Wear for Family Photos: General Styling Principles That Make a Big Difference
Before we dive into specific outfit ideas, let’s go over a few simple (but game-changing) style tips. These are the same things I walk through during my styling consultations, and they truly make all the difference when deciding what to wear for family photos.
1. Comfort is Queen
You know what looks good in photos? A mom who feels confident and comfortable. If you’re tugging at your dress or stressing about tight jeans, it’s going to show. Choose pieces that let you move, hug your kids, and sit on a blanket without a second thought. Soft, flowy fabrics like cotton, linen, and gauze are always a win.
2. Movement Brings Life to Your Photos
Clothes with a bit of movement—like a skirt that sways or a loose top that catches the breeze—add such a magical quality to your images. This is one reason I often recommend dresses for moms when planning what to wear for family photos (more on that in the next section!).
3. Coordinate, Don’t Match
Gone are the days of everyone in white shirts and jeans. Instead, think about coordinating colors and textures. Choose a color palette that works together and build outfits around it—this creates a more modern and natural look.
4. Think in Layers and Textures
Even in warmer months, light layers can elevate your look. Think cardigans, vests, linen button-downs, or chunky knit sweaters. Texture adds depth, especially in neutral tones, and helps create that soft, editorial feel in your photos.
5. Avoid Logos, Graphics & Neon Colors
Logos and loud graphics pull attention away from your faces. And neon colors? They can cast weird light on skin and be super distracting. Stick with timeless hues that complement your location and the season.
6. Start With One Anchor Piece
If you’re not sure where to start, pick one outfit you love—usually mom’s—and build the rest of the family’s looks around it. That one piece will guide the color story and help everything else fall into place.
What to Wear for Family Photos – Mom Edition (Because You Deserve to Feel Gorgeous)
Let’s be honest: when you’re planning what to wear for family photos, everything kind of revolves around your outfit. And that’s not selfish—it’s smart. Mom usually sets the tone, the color palette, and the overall vibe. So if you feel beautiful and confident, everything else flows from there.
Here’s how to choose something that photographs beautifully and makes you feel amazing.
1. Dresses Are Your Best Friend
There’s a reason I almost always suggest a dress for moms: they move beautifully, flatter nearly every body type, and instantly elevate your look. A long, flowy dress adds softness and elegance while still letting you snuggle your kids and play.
Some of my favorite dress styles for photo sessions:
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Wrap dresses
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Empire waist or A-line dresses
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Tiered maxi dresses
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Button-front midi dresses
Fabrics like cotton, gauze, linen, and chiffon work beautifully. Avoid anything too tight or clingy—structured but relaxed is the sweet spot.
2. Embrace Color, Texture & Detail
Whether you’re leaning toward neutrals or something bold, texture is what makes your outfit pop in photos. Think embroidery, smocking, eyelets, soft pleats, or ruffles. These little details bring so much visual interest without being over-the-top.
Color-wise, softer tones like sage, blush, cream, and dusty blue are always flattering. But if you’re craving color, jewel tones like emerald, rust, and deep mustard can be stunning, especially in fall or urban sessions. (We’ll talk more about bold vs. neutral palettes in a later section.)
3. Shoes Matter More Than You Think
Heels are not recommended since we will most likely be outdoors in nature. Cute ankle boots, neutral-toned sandals, or even barefoot on the beach can all work beautifully. Just avoid running shoes or anything super chunky unless it’s intentionally part of the look.
4. Accessorize with Intention
Hats, hair scarves, dainty jewelry, and textured shawls can add that final polish. Keep it simple—one or two statement pieces are more than enough. And yes, accessories can be a fun way to bring in a subtle pop of color or tie the palette together.
5. Where to Shop for Beautiful Photo-Ready Looks
Skip the fast fashion. These brands consistently have high-quality, photogenic pieces that feel amazing on:
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Doen – feminine, romantic, and full of texture
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Jenni Kayne – elevated neutrals, California-cool vibes
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Anthropologie – beautiful statement dresses and unique textures
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Reformation – flattering cuts and earth-friendly fabrics
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Baltic Born – perfect flowy maxi dresses in flattering shades
What to Wear for Family Photos – Dad Edition (A Quick Style Guide for Reluctant Shoppers)
Let’s talk about the guys. Whether your partner is fully on board or needs a little coaxing (we’ve all been there!), figuring out what to wear for family photos can be easy once you have a few go-to rules. No need for anything overly fancy—just polished, comfortable, and cohesive with the rest of the family.
1. Keep It Simple, Elevated, and True to Him
The goal is for him to feel like himself—just the put-together version. A well-fitting shirt, neutral pants, and some good shoes go a long way. Think elevated casual: no suits required, but skip the athletic shorts and tees.
Some tried-and-true outfit formulas:
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Slim chinos + a linen button-down
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Dark jeans + a henley or knit polo
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Layered look: tee + button-down + light jacket or sweater
2. Focus on Fit
This is huge. Even the best outfit can fall flat if it doesn’t fit well. Slimmer (not tight) cuts tend to look better on camera than boxy or oversized pieces. If you’re between sizes or haven’t updated your closet in a while, it might be time to try something new.
3. Stick with Neutral or Earthy Tones
When planning what to wear for family photos, earthy tones and neutrals always work for dads. Think charcoal, olive, tan, ivory, rust, navy, or soft blue. These colors look good on most skin tones and photograph beautifully.
If someone in the family is wearing a pattern, dad’s outfit is usually a good one to keep simple and solid.
4. Footwear: Polished but Comfortable
Depending on your location, go for clean boots, loafers, or minimal sneakers. Try to avoid athletic shoes unless they’re intentionally styled to fit the look.
5. Where to Shop for Dad’s Photo Outfit
These brands are reliable for elevated, comfortable, well-made pieces that look great in photos:
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Buck Mason – modern classics with a rugged edge
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Taylor Stitch – tailored staples with great textures
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Everlane – simple, sustainable basics in great colors
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J.Crew – classic with a preppy twist, often great sales
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Banana Republic – stylish but not too trendy
Bonus tip: If dad’s not loving the shopping process, try online stores with flexible returns so you can try on at home and make it stress-free.
What to Wear for Family Photos – The Kids Edition (Cute, Comfy & Coordinated)
Okay, mama—let’s be honest: dressing the kids might be the trickiest part of planning what to wear for family photos. They grow fast, they have opinions (sometimes very strong ones), and comfort is key if we want happy faces in your pictures.
Good news? With a little strategy and a few go-to brands, we can absolutely get them photo-ready without the fuss.
1. Comfort Comes First (Always)
If they’re itchy, fussy, or overheating, it’s going to show. Choose soft, breathable fabrics—think cotton, linen, muslin, or light knitwear. Avoid anything too tight or stiff, and make sure everything’s been tried on before photo day to prevent any surprise meltdowns.
2. Keep the Color Palette Cohesive
When figuring out what the kids should wear for family photos, make sure their outfits fit into your overall color palette. They don’t need to match each other exactly (in fact, it’s better if they don’t!), but their colors should complement mom and dad’s look.
A few examples:
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If mom is in a dusty blue dress, dress the kids in soft creams, muted sage, or a subtle floral with a touch of blue.
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If you’re going for fall tones like rust and olive, try pairing those with warm neutrals, golden yellows, or dusty rose.
3. Add Texture with Layers or Details
Think ruffled sleeves, buttons, suspenders, cardigans, little boots, or knee socks. For babies, rompers and bloomers photograph beautifully and allow for easy cuddles. For toddlers, simple overalls, pinafores, or button-front dresses are adorable and classic.
Bonus: Textured outfits give little ones something to play with and touch, which leads to those magical, candid moments.
4. Skip the Characters and Bright Neon
Paw Patrol might be their current obsession, but it doesn’t belong in your family photos. 
Stick with timeless styles and soft colors that won’t date your images.
5. Where to Shop for Beautiful, Photo-Friendly Kids’ Clothes
These are my go-to places for well-made, stylish, and camera-friendly outfits:
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Jamie Kay – dreamy, soft fabrics and delicate colors
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Rylee + Cru – playful, vintage-inspired styles with subtle prints
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Zara Kids – trend-forward pieces in great neutrals
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Maisonette – curated boutique brands for babies to big kids
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Noralee – heirloom-style dresses, great for special sessions
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Quincy Mae – organic basics in soft colors for babies and toddlers
How to Mix Colors, Patterns, and Neutrals for Family Photos (Without Looking Like a Pinterest Fail)
Okay friend—this is the part where a lot of people get stuck. You’ve got outfits you love for each person… but how do you make sure they work together? Coordinating colors and patterns can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here’s your cheat sheet to mixing it all like a pro when planning what to wear for family photos.
1. Choose a Base Color Palette (Then Build from There)
Start by picking 2–3 main tones that complement each other and suit your session location or season. From there, add in a few soft accents or neutrals to round it out.
Example palettes:
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Beachy neutrals: cream, soft sage, pale blue, sand
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Fall forest: rust, olive, goldenrod, warm beige
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Urban tones: charcoal, dusty rose, camel, ivory
Pro Tip: Start with your outfit first (yes, yours!) and pull colors from that when dressing everyone else.
2. Patterns Are Great—In Moderation
Yes, you can use patterns when deciding what to wear for family photos. The key is balance.
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Use one standout pattern (like florals, checks, or stripes), then mix in solids or subtle textures.
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Stick to small or medium-scale patterns—big, bold prints can be distracting.
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Spread them out across the family. For example, if your daughter is wearing a floral dress, don’t put dad in a plaid shirt. Keep him in a solid that pulls from her pattern instead.
3. Neutrals Are Your Secret Weapon
Neutrals—like cream, taupe, gray, ivory, camel, or soft blush—anchor your palette and give your photos that editorial feel. They’re also super forgiving in any lighting situation and flatter every skin tone.
Try mixing warm and cool neutrals for dimension. Think: oatmeal next to soft blue or ivory beside sage.
4. Layering Adds Depth (Without Adding Clutter)
Cardigans, scarves, and lightweight outerwear not only keep you cozy if the weather’s chilly—they also help break up blocks of color and create visual interest.
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For kids: think knit vests, soft suspenders, or a denim jacket.
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For adults: a chunky sweater over a dress, or a light jacket over a henley.
5. Textures = Instant Glow-Up
Textures photograph so beautifully and can make even the simplest outfit look intentional. Some textures I love to see in family photos:
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Waffle knits
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Linen
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Gauze
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Corduroy
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Chunky sweaters
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Eyelet or embroidered fabric
When you mix different textures across the family, it creates a layered, dimensional feel that’s subtle but so impactful.
6. What to Avoid When Mixing Colors & Patterns
Let’s keep it simple:
Don’t overdo patterns—1 or 2 max. Skip anything with large logos, cartoon characters, or text. Avoid everyone wearing the exact same color. Be cautious with bright white—off-white or cream tends to photograph better.
What to Wear for Family Photos – Neutrals, Pastels, and Bold Colors: Which One’s Right for You?
One of the biggest questions I get is:
“Should we go with neutrals? Pastels? Or can we wear bold colors?”
And the answer is… it depends on the vibe you want for your photos, the season, and what makes you feel like your best self. Let’s chat through each option like two moms swapping style tips over coffee.
1. Neutrals – Timeless, Soft, and Effortless
If you want your photos to feel calm, elevated, and a little bit dreamy, neutrals are the way to go. When planning what to wear for family photos, neutrals always photograph beautifully and keep the focus on connection and emotion.
Best neutral shades for photos:
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Cream
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Oatmeal
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Stone
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Taupe
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Ivory
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Warm gray
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Soft blush
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Dusty brown
They’re especially perfect for beach sessions, lifestyle in-home shoots, or light-filled outdoor settings.
Pro Tip: Add dimension by mixing several neutral tones (instead of everyone wearing the exact same color). Layers and texture help keep it interesting.
2. Pastels – Soft Color with a Touch of Whimsy
Pastels are a lovely choice when you want a little more color than neutrals, but still want to keep the overall feel soft and romantic. They’re great for spring and summer sessions, or for moms who love feminine touches.
Gorgeous pastels to consider:
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Dusty rose
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Sage green
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Dusty blue
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Pale lavender
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Butter yellow
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Soft coral
Pastels play really well with neutrals, so you can mix a dusty pink dress for mom with oatmeal-toned outfits for the rest of the crew, for example.
Keep in mind: Some pastels (like baby pink or mint) can read overly bright or harsh if the lighting is very strong. Stick to slightly muted versions.
3. Bold Colors – Rich, Vibrant, and Full of Personality
If you’re the kind of family who loves color—or your session location has a lot of neutral tones (think urban brick or moody forest)—bold colors can be so striking. The key is to choose rich, saturated shades and balance them with softer tones.
Bold colors that photograph beautifully:
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Emerald green
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Mustard yellow
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Deep rust
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Navy blue
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Terracotta
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Merlot
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Teal
Stick with one or two bold tones and pair them with earthier or neutral elements to avoid overwhelming the image. Think: mom in a rust dress, dad in olive, kids in cream and dusty gold. Chef’s kiss.
Avoid: Super bright reds, electric blues, and neons—they tend to reflect color back onto skin and are hard to edit beautifully.
Which Color Vibe Feels Most “You”?
There’s no wrong answer here. Whether you go soft and subtle or rich and colorful, the most important thing is that your choices feel authentic and connected to your family’s personality.
Need help pulling it all together? I offer styling consultations and custom style boards to make the entire process easier (and more fun!). I’ll help you build a coordinated look from head to toe, stress-free.
How to Make Your Family Photo Outfits Shine (and Feel Like You)
Now that we’ve walked through all the details—what mom, dad, and the kids should wear… how to mix colors and patterns… neutrals vs. pastels vs. bold tones—let’s wrap it up with some easy-to-remember tips that’ll help your outfits and your photos feel totally you.
Because at the end of the day, what to wear for family photos isn’t just about clothes—it’s about capturing your family’s energy, connection, and love.
1. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
Seriously. Outfits always take a little more time than we think—especially if you’re ordering pieces online. Start at least 2–3 weeks before your session so you can try everything on, exchange sizes if needed, and avoid that last-minute “what is everyone wearing?!” panic.
2. Try It All On—Head to Toe
Once you’ve got the outfits planned, do a full try-on. Make sure:
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Clothes fit well and feel good
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Tags are removed
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Everyone can move and sit comfortably
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Shoes make sense for your session location
And yes—have the kids try on their full outfits too (socks and all!). It’s one of the best ways to avoid meltdowns on the big day.
3. Skip the Trends, Stay Timeless
You want your photos to feel as beautiful in 10 years as they do today. That doesn’t mean you have to be boring—it just means avoiding anything too trendy or loud. Simple, well-made, and authentic to your family always wins.
4. Add Personal Touches
A special heirloom bracelet, your favorite earrings, your baby’s handmade knit cardigan—those small details can add so much meaning and beauty to your photos.
5. When in Doubt, Ask for Help
Styling doesn’t have to be stressful. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed trying to decide what to wear for family photos, I’m here for you. I offer styling consultations and create custom style boards for my clients. You’ll get a personalized color palette, clickable links to shop high-quality pieces, and guidance on how to coordinate everyone—without the stress.
You deserve to feel confident, beautiful, and seen in your photos. And you will.
These photos are about so much more than what you’re wearing—they’re about love, joy, and connection. Your outfits are just there to enhance what already makes your family so special.
So breathe easy, mama. You’re doing an amazing job.
Need help planning your family session? Let’s chat and make it easy!
Looking for more inspiring tips? Check these out
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