What to Wear for a Family Photoshoot

Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas and Advice

So, you’re all booked in for your family photoshoot – whether it’s a couples session for your family of two, an extended family session with generations of loved ones, or somewhere in between – and now you need to work out what everyone is going to wear. 

Ideas on what to wear for family photo sessions is by far my most asked question by clients. And I can certainly understand why. Outfits have a big impact on the feel of the photos. Colour, fabric and style all play a role in the end result of the images you receive. You don’t want to get it wrong. So, I’m here to offer my best tips for choosing clothes for a family photo shoot.

I want to start by saying you can wear whatever you want. There are no rules you have to follow! Be you. Showcase your own personal style. This is your session so wear whatever you want – bold patterns, clashing colours, the works. 

However, if you’re looking for advice, that is incredibly UNhelpful. 

So of course I’m going to offer more guidance for those who want some. I’ve tried to structure this article by starting with general, basic advice, then getting more specific and exacting as we proceed. That way you can duck out at the level of detail that suits you.

My Top 3 Tips When Picking Outfits for Family Photo Shoots

• Avoid large labels, logos and designs on shirts and tops. The focus should be on your loved ones and the connection you share, not the writing on your clothes. 
• Be cautious of black and navy. Too much of these dark colours can give the photos a heavy feel and even obscure details, making it difficult to distinguish between individual people.
• Aim for outfits that are coordinated but not matching. You are looking for colours and clothes that look nice together, but not so similar that you look like you’re wearing a uniform. (I discuss colour and different ways to coordinate further on.)

This family broke 2, possibly all 3 of those top tips and it doesn’t matter at all. These outfits were perfect family picture attire for a relaxed in-home family session that was a little more documentary in style, focusing on the family having fun and enjoying time spent together. Think jumping on the bed, an intense game of Uno and a dance off. Relaxed, cosy and themselves, with outfits that matched.

Consider the Location, Season and Style of your Photoshoot

Different types of photo sessions lend themselves to different outfit choices, both for practical and aesthetic reasons. Being barefoot in casual clothing is wonderful for an in-home photoshoot, creating a relaxed and intimate feel, however, suitable walking shoes are required for a bush location. Summer photo sessions might require light and airy clothing that doesn’t show sweat marks, while cooler weather provides the opportunity to rug up in warm layers. Beach photoshoots lend themselves to softer colours and the possibility of getting a little sandy and wet. 

However, outfits can also help tell a story if you have a specific vision for your session. It might be matching family pyjamas or Hawaiian shirts in honour of someone who loved them. Perhaps you want an editorial feel with photoshoot outfits that are starkly different from what the location would suggest. Just let me know your vision so I can plan for how best to bring it to life.

What Photoshoot Outfits Do You Like or Dislike?

Scroll through my portfolio and observe the outfits in the images you are drawn to. Here are the links to find my family, newborn, couples, and maternity photos. You can also search Pinterest and Google Images. Be specific with the session type you are planning, such as “sunset beach family photos,” “in-home couple photos,” or “outdoor summer family photos,” but avoid including terms like clothing or outfits in your search so you see a variety of actual family photos.

Look for recurring patterns in the photos that appeal to you. If you’re consistently drawn to images featuring people in soft neutral colours, then wearing a bold colour or bright pattern may not achieve the same effect. You might find that you love the look of a patterned, flowy dress or decide that having everyone coordinated in one colour is definitely not for you. 

Since outfits often have a significant impact on the overall feel of images, this process can help guide you in choosing outfits that align with the image look and feel that appeal to you.

Family Photoshoot Outfits should be Comfortable

Choose clothing that is comfortable, especially for children. Consider having them wear their outfits ahead of time for a test run, as feeling uncomfortable can lead to unhappy and uncooperative kids. And remember to plan for Melbourne’s changeable weather too, as the perfect outfit isn’t perfect if they’re freezing or roasting.

Ensure the clothes allow for ease of movement, allowing you to pick up your kids, to sit, snuggle, maybe even lay on the ground. You don’t want to be constantly tugging and adjusting your clothes; in fact during the session you want to be wearing clothes that don’t require any more thinking about at all.

Choose your Outfit First

I suggest you start by choosing your outfit – something you feel comfortable and lovely wearing. And it certainly don’t need to be new, as wearing an outfit you already know you love can help you feel confident in front of the camera. Once you’ve chosen your outfit, use it to create a colour palette for selecting everyone else’s outfits.

Colours for Family Photoshoot Outfits

Ideally, your photoshoot outfits should look like they belong together, without looking like you’re wearing a uniform. We want co-ordinating, but not too matchy-matchy. With one photoshoot outfit selected- be that yours or a favourite of your kid’s perhaps – decide on some colours that compliment that outfit.

You could select colours based on their intensity, like the rich saturated jewel tones of burgundy, jade, mustard and navy, or how about a palette of muted gentle colours.

Jewel Tones

Muted Tones

You could opt for a monochromatic colour palette, picking outfits in different shades of the same colour.

Monochromatic Blues

Adding in a few pops of contrasting colour would give the photoshoot look more spark.  

Blues with Pinks for Contrasting

Then You Add Neutrals

Include Neutrals in your Photoshoot Outfits

Regardless of the colour scheme you select, neutrals are the secret to creating family photoshoot outfits that are the perfect level of coordination. Think off-white, creams, tans, olive green, greys, beiges, charcoal and denim. Yep, denim can act like a clothing neutral.

While neutrals can form a lovely colour palette on their own, they work with even the boldest colour palette to help the outfits coordinate and look more natural and relaxed.

As an example, let’s take these ‘white top and jeans’ outfits and improve them.

Step 1, we’re going to mix up that denim. Instead of all jeans, there are now dresses and shirts in a range of denim. Without a doubt, it’s a big improvement. But…

Step 2, we’re going to add some neutrals. Instead of just white, we’ve added a variety of neutral shades – cream, tan, brown – and instantly the look feels more natural and cohesive but less matchy-matchy.

While not the most exciting colour palette, it is an incredibly achievable example for extended family photoshoot outfits. If you wanted a step 3, a blush pink and/or sage and olive green would be lovely additions.

Using a Pattern to Form a Colour Palette

One of my favourite methods for creating a colour palette is starting with a pattern. If it’s from an item of clothing you would like to wear, great, but even your favourite bedspread or cushion would work. Pick out the colours in pattern, not forgetting the background colour, and use them as the basis of your outfits. For a coordinated look, you want to make sure at least some of the colours are repeated across more than one person.

Here are some example colour palettes.

Gorman playsuit.

Jamie Kay dress.

Kip & Co quiltcover.

I did some online shopping/browsing for a hypothetical family using this method and saved it to my Instagram Stories.

Small Details to Consider

• Empty your pockets. Bulging pockets aren’t the best look so I suggest you leave all but the essentials in the car. And I’m happy to carry the keys for you.
• Check your wrists. Are there any stray hair ties or a chunky watch that doesn’t fit the aesthetic? 
• Photo-ready fingers. Hands and touch feature often in my images, so neat and tidy nails are ideal.

For some specific what to wear for photoshoot advice:

What to Wear if you are Plus Size

• What to wear for a Family Photo Session if you are Plus Size

• Where to find the perfect Plus Sized Dress

What to Wear for a Maternity Session

• What to wear for a Maternity Photoshoot

• Mama Rentals has some gorgeous options for hire, from petite to plus size, and they offer a discount for my clients. 

What to Wear for a Newborn Session

• Newborn Photoshoot Outfit Tips

Hope this helps! But my best advice: when your photo session comes around, forget about all this, relax, and have fun with your family. If everyone feels comfortable and like themselves, your natural warmth and connection will shine in your photos.