What to Wear for Family Photos: A Simple Guide for Natural, Timeless Photos
If you’ve booked family photos, there’s a good chance one of your first thoughts was:
“Okay… but what are we all going to wear?”
I get it.
Coordinating outfits for an entire family can feel like a whole project in itself. You want everyone to look beautiful and put together, but you also don’t want your photos to feel overly matched, uncomfortable, or like you dressed your family for someone else’s Pinterest board.
The good news? You don’t need perfect outfits to have beautiful family photos.
My approach to family photography is centered around connection, movement, and the little moments that make your family your family. I want you to be able to look back at your images years from now and remember how this season of life actually felt, not just what everyone was wearing.
That said, what you wear can absolutely help create the soft, natural, timeless look I love so much.
So here are a few of my favorite tips for choosing outfits for your family session.
Start With One Outfit You Love
Instead of trying to coordinate everyone at once, start with one person’s outfit.
For many families, this might be Mom’s dress or the outfit that you feel most confident and comfortable in.
Once you have that piece, build everyone else’s outfits around it.
If you choose a soft cream dress, for example, you could pull in warm tan, muted blue, sage, brown, or soft denim for everyone else.
You don't need every color to match.
In fact, I usually prefer when they don't.
Think coordinating rather than matching.
Choose a Soft, Natural Color Palette
Because I primarily photograph outdoors, I love colors that naturally complement the environment around you.
Some of my favorite colors include:
Cream
Ivory
Beige
Tan
Soft brown
Sage
Muted greens
Dusty blue
Warm rust
Terracotta
Soft blush
Muted mustard
These colors tend to photograph beautifully against fields, trees, trails, gardens, and other natural settings.
And if you love color, absolutely use it! You don't have to dress your entire family in beige to have timeless photos.
The key is choosing muted, earthy, or slightly softened versions of colors rather than having everyone competing for attention.
You Don't Have to Match
This is probably my biggest piece of advice:
Matching white shirts and jeans can be cute, but coordinated outfits usually create a much more natural and timeless look. Instead, choose a few colors that work well together and mix them throughout the family.
For example:
Mom: Flowing cream dress
Dad: Khaki pants + muted blue button-down
Daughter: Dusty blue dress
Son: Tan pants + cream shirt
Everything works together without looking identical.
When you look at the finished images, you notice the people first—not a perfectly coordinated wardrobe.
And that's exactly what I want.
Think About Texture
Texture is one of my favorite ways to add interest to photographs without making an outfit feel busy.
Think:
Linen
Knits
Lace
Corduroy
Denim
Woven fabrics
Gauze
Subtle embroidery
Flowy skirts and dresses
These little details can add so much dimension, especially in outdoor photographs.
A simple cream dress with beautiful texture can photograph much more beautifully than a plain dress with a lot of bright colors or bold graphics.
Dresses and Skirts Photograph Beautifully
If you're wondering whether to wear a dress, my answer is almost always:
Yes, if that's what makes you feel beautiful.
Flowy dresses and skirts photograph especially well during outdoor sessions because they move.
And movement is something I love to incorporate into my sessions.
We'll walk. We'll play. We'll cuddle. We'll spin. We'll chase the kids. We'll let them explore.
A dress that moves with you can make those moments feel even more effortless and romantic.
But please don't feel like you have to wear a dress. Jeans, trousers, overalls, sweaters, and other comfortable outfits can be just as beautiful.
Comfort and confidence will always matter more than following a photography rule.
What About the Kids?
This is where I want you to take a deep breath.
Your children do not have to look perfectly styled for every second of your session.
They're kids.
They're going to move.
They're probably going to get dirty.
Someone may refuse to wear the shoes you picked out.
Someone may decide they suddenly hate the shirt they loved yesterday.
And that's okay.
Choose clothing that allows them to be kids.
For little ones, I love simple outfits with soft colors and movement. Avoid anything that is extremely restrictive or uncomfortable, especially if we're going to be walking, sitting, playing, or exploring.
And don't be afraid to let your child's personality show.
Those little quirks are part of their story, too.
p.s. My kids always end up bare foot for photos and they turn out wonderful no matter what.
What Should Dad Wear?
Men's outfits don't have to be complicated.
A great starting point is:
Neutral pants + a solid or subtly patterned shirt.
Think khaki, tan, brown, olive, navy, denim, cream, or muted blue.
A nice button-down, linen shirt, sweater, or henley can all photograph beautifully.
And one of my favorite things for dads is layers.
A button-down with a sweater, cardigan, jacket, or vest can add texture without making the outfit feel overly formal.
Most importantly, choose something he actually feels comfortable wearing.
We want him focused on his family—not on whether his shirt is bothering him.
Avoid Distracting Logos and Graphics
This one is simple.
If possible, skip large logos, neon colors, characters, and big graphics.
They tend to pull attention away from the people in the photograph.
Small patterns are completely okay, but I generally recommend avoiding having multiple family members wearing competing patterns.
If one person has a subtle floral or patterned dress, keep the other outfits relatively simple.
What About Shoes?
Don't forget the shoes!
Shoes can make or break an otherwise beautiful outfit, especially during an outdoor session.
For a natural look, consider:
Brown or tan boots
Simple sandals
Neutral sneakers
Loafers
Bare feet
And if we're somewhere where it makes sense, don't be afraid to go barefoot.
Some of my favorite family moments happen when everyone kicks off their shoes and just enjoys being together.
Dress for the Location
Think about where we're taking your photographs.
A soft, flowing dress might feel perfect in an open field.
A cozy sweater and boots might feel right for a fall trail.
Linen and lighter colors might fit beautifully in a summer setting.
Your outfits don't have to fight with the location. They should feel like they belong there.
When we choose your session location, I'll also be happy to help you think through what will photograph best there.
And Please—Dress for the Season
This sounds obvious, but it's worth saying.
If you're freezing, you're not going to feel relaxed.
If your toddler is sweating through three layers, we're going to have a very unhappy toddler.
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and then add layers or accessories when needed.
For cooler sessions, think sweaters, cardigans, jackets, tights, boots, and cozy textures.
For warmer sessions, lightweight dresses, linen, cotton, and breathable fabrics are your friends.
Your comfort matters because comfortable people photograph better.
The Most Important Rule: Wear Something That Feels Like You
This is the part I care about most.
You don't have to completely reinvent your style for your family photos.
If you never wear dresses, don't suddenly buy a ball gown because you saw one on Pinterest.
If your family lives in jeans and sweaters, that's okay.
If you love wearing dresses, wear the dress.
If your little boy insists on his favorite boots, let him wear the boots.
I want your images to feel like your family.
My goal isn't to create photographs that look perfect for one season on Pinterest. I want to create images that still feel beautiful and meaningful years from now.
Because your children will grow.
Your family will change.
These little everyday moments will become memories.
And one day, you're going to look at these photographs and remember the way your daughter held your hand, the way your son laughed when Dad picked him up, or the way everyone piled together for one last hug before we headed home.
That's what I want you to remember.
The outfits are simply part of the story.
A Simple Formula to Make Getting Dressed Easier
If you're still staring at everyone's closets wondering where to begin, try this:
1. Choose one outfit you absolutely love.
2. Pick 3–4 colors that complement it.
3. Mix solids with subtle patterns and textures.
4. Avoid putting everyone in the exact same color.
5. Choose comfortable clothing that allows everyone to move.
6. Add layers and accessories for texture and personality.
7. Lay everyone's outfits out together before your session.
And then stop overthinking it.
You don't need to get it perfect.
Your family is the important part.
When you step in front of my camera, you don't need to know how to pose. You don't need perfectly behaved children. And you definitely don't need to look like someone else's family.
I'll guide you through the session and give you direction when you need it, while leaving plenty of room for the genuine moments to unfold naturally.
We'll focus on you, your people, your connection, and this fleeting season of life you're in right now.
And if you're still unsure about what to wear?
Ask me!
I'm always happy to help you talk through outfits before your session.
After all, you've already made the decision to preserve these memories. Let's make the whole experience feel easy, relaxed, and completely you.
Ready to document your family just as they are?
I'd love to hear your story and plan a session that feels like your family.