What to Wear for Family Photos:
A Complete Guide
Start with a Color Palette
Choose 3–5 complementary colors to create a cohesive look. Neutrals like cream, beige, gray, and soft pastels are timeless and photograph beautifully. For seasonal themes, consider the following:
- Spring: Pinks, greens, blues, creams, purples, and yellows.
- Summer: Greens, blues, reds, purples, yellows, whites, and creams.
- Fall: Golds, oranges, greens, blues, blacks, browns, and neutrals.
- Winter: Greens, reds, blues, whites, browns, and neutrals.
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Coordinate, Don’t Match
Aim for outfits that complement each other without being identical. For instance, if one person wears a patterned piece, others can pick colors from that pattern to tie the looks together.
Choose Mom’s Outfit First
Family pictures can be stressful for mom’s. Choose a flattering dress or outfit she will feel confident in, and let that help guide the color scheme and style for everyone else.
Prioritize Comfort and Fit
Ensure all clothing fits well and is comfortable, especially for children. Avoid overly tight or loose garments, and steer clear of busy patterns or logos that can distract from the overall image.
Don't forget shoes
Shoes will show in many photos, so it is important that they also look good and coordinate with the outfits. Also, wear the correct shoes for the location you pick.
Think about your glasses
If you typically wore transition lenses, you probably forget all about them but in your pictures, it will look like you’re wearing sunglasses. I recommend, if you wear transitions, take the lenses out of an old pair of frames and bring those with you. Often times people end up taking the glasses off, but then they don’t look like themselves.
Add Texture and Layers
Incorporate different textures like knits, denim, or lace to add depth to your photos. Layering with cardigans, scarves, or vests can also provide visual interest.
Consider the Location and the Weather
You will be more comfortable during the shoot it you are dressed appropriately. Tank tops and short sleeves look out of place in a snowy winter scene. Layer with sweaters and scarfs in the colder weather.
Now that you know exactly what to wear, let’s make some magic happen