What to Wear for Family Portraits

Before almost every session, I get a version of the same question: “What should we wear?” It’s the right question to ask — what you wear genuinely affects how your photos feel. The good news is it’s not complicated once you know the rules.

Coordinate, don’t match
The biggest mistake families make is dressing everyone in identical outfits. Matching looks stiff and dated. Instead, pick a color palette of 3–4 complementary colors and let each person wear something within that range. Think warm neutrals, soft greens, navy, blush — colors that feel harmonious without being identical.

Avoid busy patterns Bold stripes, large logos, and busy prints compete with faces for attention in photos. Solid colors and subtle textures photograph much better. If someone wants a pattern, keep it small and pair it with solid pieces on everyone else.

Dress for the vibe, not just the occasion
Are you going for relaxed and lifestyle, or clean and editorial? Your clothes should match the feeling you want. Flowy dresses and linen shirts say one thing; crisp button-downs and pressed trousers say another. Neither is wrong — just pick one and commit.

Colors that always work
• Warm neutrals: cream, ivory, camel, tan
• Soft greens: sage, olive, forest
• Blues: navy, dusty blue, denim
• Warm tones: terracotta, rust, burnt orange (especially in fall)
• Blush and mauve: soft, romantic, timeless

Colors to avoid
• Neon or very bright colors (they dominate the frame)
• All black or all white (too stark, loses dimension)
• Logos and brand names (distracting)

A note on kids’ outfits
Kids are the hardest to dress because comfort matters more than anything else. An uncomfortable child is a grumpy child, and grumpy children do not make beautiful photographs. Pick something they’ll actually want to wear, within your color palette, and let them move freely.

Every client gets a detailed what-to-wear guide after booking — including outfit mood boards and specific color recommendations based on your session location and time of year. When you’re ready to book, I’ve got you covered.