The top question I hear after a family books their photo session is “What do I wear?!” And it is one of my favorites to answer! Although your photo quality won’t be the least bit affected by what you wear, YOUR happiness with your photographs usually is. Here are some ideas on what to wear for family photos!

What to Wear for Family Photos

I love helping families find some inspiration to create a look that feels good to them, but will also photograph well. When you look good, you feel good. And that’s always evident in photos!

When you are thinking about what to wear for family photos, the first thing we do is decide on a color palette to work with. You’ll usually want to have at least 2-3 “main” colors that we can build from. Warm neutrals are always welcome- tan, beige, ivory, gray- and work great with just about every skin tone and age.

Family Session Outfit Inspiration

If you’re a fan of color, consider incorporating blues, greens and pinks. I also recommend that you limit the number of patterns you use, so that your photo composition isn’t “thrown off” by a single subject (aka, when your Aunt decides on polka dots and the rest of you are in a monochromatic outfit, she’s going to stand out as either a sore thumb or the star of the show)!

I’ve been working with many of my families for years, which has been really fun! I love helping them decide what to wear for family photos! Seeing the progression of time and children grow has warmed my heart! Each season we’re able to create unique looks that build on each other and look great hanging on a wall.

The Stein Family is one I’ve been working with for years! I created Pinterest boards for each of their sessions (which is included with your session investment). You can see their boards here and here and check out the blog with their final results here and here .

Family Photo Session Outfit Tips

Also, don’t be too worried or concerned about “dressing for the season” - unless we’re shooting in a blizzard, it isn’t always obvious when photos are taken. SO, if your session is in September, it’s OK to dress for Summer or Fall… or even Winter! However, it will be much easier to find your wardrobe if you dress “in” season.

If you choose to take photos multiple times a year (which you know I encourage for a multitude of reasons), having a few staples in your wardrobe is ideal. A couple of go-to transitional pieces that work well year-round- be it jeans or a maxi skirt, a bottom “layer” blouse that can easily be dressed up or down, etc. - can make it a breeze to switch up your photo wardrobe while still having a go-to piece.

Side note: If you LOVE one of your children’s outfits, go ahead and buy the next size up for the future! Switch up a top or bottom and add a new accessory and shoe so you can look back to see how much they’ve grown!

Still trying to decide on your Fall photo session wardrobe? Check out this Pinterest board I put together for 2021 sessions. And a little throw back to 2019 here (when you opt for “the classics” your photos will have a beautiful timeless quality). I also love this board.

Once your session is booked, be sure to check out “How do I Prepare for A Family Photo Session?” blog post too!