You know you want gorgeous memories of your family at this moment in time, but you have no idea what to wear for family photos to achieve the look you want! No worries – I’m breaking it down for you right here.

Let’s start with the obvious: There is no one “right” way to dress for your family photos. But there is a wrong way.

Choosing outfits for your family photo session is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. The colors, textures, and overall style you choose will directly affect your images. But don’t freak out! It’s a lot easier than it might feel to find the right outfits for your family photos.

Don’t Choose Matching Outfits for Family Photos

Matching outfits may seem like a good idea, but matching too closely ends up making your photos look cheesy, fake, or over the top.

Instead, pick a color palette that works together and make sure everyone coordinates. That way you’ll all look like you belong together, but you won’t look like a Stepford family. 

Don’t Let Your Husband Wear His Favorite Polo Shirt 

You may be laughing and wondering why this made the list… but hear me out. Polo shirts are generic and boring. Yes, I know polos may essentially be your husband’s uniform, but that’s an even better reason to encourage him to try something new!

Polos aren’t particularly flattering, if you need another reason to convince the man in your life to leave it at home. My favorite alternatives? A nice henley, button down, a cool graphic tee under a denim jacket, or a chambray shirt. Dads can honestly keep it pretty basic. Just don’t pair a non-polo shirt with ugly office khakis! For men, dark chinos/khakis, black jeans, or dark wash jeans are the best options.

Choose the Right Colors and Tones

If you want my signature look – warm, vibrant, and adventurous – you’re going to need to choose the right color palette.

I love working with anything deep and rich:

• crimson 
• dark teal
• emerald green
• navy
• rust
• mustard

When you choose a warm, vibrant color palette – appropriately mixed with creams, off-whites, khakis, and denim and lots of yummy earth tones! – we can create the vibe and tone you love in the photos you’ve seen in my gallery or on Instagram. 

Add in Accessories

Accessorize for success! 

A strategic bracelet can cover up a pesky watch tan line while chunky rings show up well in photos. 

You can also consider adding in necklaces, boho hats, or beanies. Layering with cardigans and light sweaters is a great way to add some visual interest. Just don’t go too overboard… a few intentional accessories should do the trick.

And don’t forget about your shoes! Stay away from kids’ shoes that light up, feature characters or superheroes, or have tons of glitter. Those are all distracting in images… even if they are your kiddo’s favorite. Aim for neutral brown shoes for boys or knee high socks with Mary Janes for little girls. You’ll want something classic, timeless, and seasonal. 

Adults should make sure to choose season-appropriate, neutral footwear as well. Cute ankle boots in fall or strappy sandals in summer add to the vibe of your photo session.

Now That You Know What to Wear for Family Photos… And What Not to Wear…

Let’s get your session booked! 

I specialize in capturing warm, bold memories for fun, adventurous-at-heart families. And I would love to work with you to create a stress-free, beautiful family photo session you’ll love!