What to Wear for Family Photos: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Outfits

One of the most common questions I get before a family photography session is, “What should we wear?” Choosing outfits for the whole family can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! The right clothing can help your photos feel timeless, coordinated, and true to your family.

As a Raleigh family photographer, I want your photos to be something you love looking back on for years to come. Whether we’re photographing your family outdoors, in a beautiful park, or at a location that means something special to you, here are my favorite tips for choosing outfits for your family photos.

1. Start With a Color Palette

Rather than choosing everyone’s outfits individually, start by picking a color palette for the whole family. This helps your outfits coordinate without looking too identical.

I recommend choosing three to four complementary colors and building everyone’s outfits around them. Some of my favorite combinations include:

• Neutrals: Cream, beige, tan, white, and soft brown
• Earthy tones: Olive green, rust, terracotta, and warm brown
• Soft and classic: Light blue, ivory, dusty pink, and khaki
• Rich and timeless: Navy, burgundy, cream, and camel
• Natural and muted: Sage green, taupe, oatmeal, and soft blue

You don’t need everyone wearing the exact same colors. Instead, look for shades that work well together and allow each person’s outfit to stand on its own.

When in doubt, neutral and earthy tones are a great place to start. They photograph beautifully in outdoor settings and are less likely to feel dated as the years go by.

2. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Matching white shirts and jeans used to be a popular choice for family pictures, but coordinating outfits can create a much more natural and visually interesting look.

Instead of dressing everyone alike, mix colors, textures, and styles that complement one another. For example, Mom might wear a cream dress, Dad could wear a light blue button-down with khaki pants, and the kids could wear a combination of soft blue, tan, and ivory.

The goal is for everyone to look like they belong together without looking like they’re wearing a uniform.

One of my biggest tips is to choose your outfit first, then build everyone else’s around yours. If you’re the mom or wife planning the session, start by finding an outfit you love and feel confident in. Getting everyone’s outfits to coordinate can be challenging, and it’s often easiest to start with yours since you have the most options to choose from. Once you’ve settled on your outfit, use its colors and style as inspiration for your husband and kids. This makes it much easier to create a cohesive look without everyone wearing the exact same thing.

3. Choose Clothing That Fits Your Location

Your photo location can help guide your wardrobe choices. Here in the Raleigh area, we have so many beautiful options for family photos, from open fields and wooded trails to gardens and charming downtown locations.

Think about the colors and surroundings where we’ll be taking your photos.

For outdoor fields and parks: Cream, tan, sage green, dusty blue, and rust complement natural surroundings beautifully.

For wooded locations: Warm neutrals, soft blues, muted greens, and earthy tones can create a cohesive look against the trees.

For gardens or flower-filled locations: Soft pastels, neutral tones, and subtle patterns can complement the scenery without competing with it.

For urban or downtown settings: Dark denim, navy, camel, cream, and other classic colors can work especially well.

If you’re unsure what to wear for your Raleigh family photography session, I’m always happy to help you choose outfits that complement your chosen location.

4. Pay Attention to Texture and Patterns

You don’t have to avoid patterns entirely! In fact, a little variety can add personality and interest to your photos. The key is choosing patterns that complement the rest of the family’s outfits.

Small floral prints, subtle stripes, delicate embroidery, and understated plaids can all photograph beautifully. Try to keep patterns limited to one or two family members while everyone else wears coordinating solid colors.

Texture is another great way to add depth to your photos. Linen, knit sweaters, denim, corduroy, and soft cotton can all work well together.

For example, a textured cream sweater paired with a flowing dress and classic denim creates visual interest without needing bold colors or busy prints.

Try to avoid large logos, distracting graphics, neon colors, and very busy patterns. These can draw attention away from the most important part of your photos: your family.

5. Dress for the Season

North Carolina weather can change quite a bit throughout the year, so it’s important to choose outfits that look great while keeping everyone comfortable.

Spring: Light blue, blush, cream, sage green, and other soft colors work beautifully with fresh greenery and blooming flowers. Lightweight dresses and breathable fabrics are great options.

Summer: Choose breathable materials like linen and cotton to stay comfortable in the North Carolina heat. Light neutrals, soft blues, and muted earthy tones work well for outdoor sessions.

Fall: This is a wonderful time to incorporate richer colors like rust, burgundy, olive green, camel, and warm brown. Sweaters, layers, and textured fabrics can add a cozy feel.

Winter: Cream, navy, deep green, burgundy, and camel are classic choices. Coats, scarves, and sweaters can add warmth and texture while keeping your outfits seasonally appropriate.

No matter the season, choose clothing that allows everyone to move comfortably. Family photos often involve walking, sitting, playing, and holding little ones, so comfort matters just as much as appearance.

6. Don’t Forget About the Little Details

Once you’ve chosen everyone’s outfits, take a few minutes to think about the smaller details that can make a difference in your final images.

Shoes: Shoes are easy to overlook, but they can appear in more photos than you might expect. Choose footwear that complements your outfits, such as neutral sandals, simple boots, or classic sneakers. Avoid bright athletic shoes if they don’t fit the overall look.

Accessories: Keep accessories simple and intentional. A delicate necklace, understated earrings, or a classic belt can complete an outfit without becoming distracting.

Hair and makeup: Choose a look that feels like you. Professional hair and makeup can be a nice option if you want a little extra polish, but the most important thing is feeling comfortable and confident.

Wrinkles: Give your outfits a quick steam or iron before your session. Wrinkles can be especially noticeable in close-up portraits, so a little preparation goes a long way.

I also recommend trying everyone’s outfits on together before your session. This gives you time to make adjustments without feeling rushed on picture day.

7. Let Your Kids Be Comfortable

When it comes to dressing children for family photos, comfort is especially important. If an outfit feels itchy, tight, or unfamiliar, your child may spend the entire session trying to adjust it.

Choose clothing that allows them to move, sit, walk, and play naturally. Soft fabrics, comfortable shoes, and familiar styles are usually a great choice.

You can still dress your children in outfits that look polished without sacrificing comfort. A simple dress, a linen shirt, or a classic sweater can look beautiful while allowing them to be themselves.

And remember, family photos don’t require perfectly behaved children! Some of the sweetest moments happen when kids are laughing, exploring, or simply being themselves. Clothing that lets them move freely makes those moments easier to capture.

8. Choose Outfits You’ll Love Looking Back On

Trends can be fun, but I always recommend choosing clothing that feels classic enough to enjoy for years to come.

You don’t have to avoid every trend, but consider whether you’ll still love the colors, patterns, and overall style several years from now. Simple silhouettes, complementary colors, and quality fabrics tend to stand the test of time.

Most importantly, choose outfits that reflect your family’s personality. If you typically wear dresses, don’t feel like you need to wear jeans just because you think that’s what family photos require. If your family prefers a more relaxed style, you can absolutely create beautiful images with casual, coordinated outfits.

The best wardrobe is one that makes everyone feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves.

Ready for Your Family Photos?

Planning outfits doesn’t have to be stressful. Start with a color palette, coordinate rather than match, consider your location and the season, and choose clothing that allows your family to feel comfortable and confident.

As a Raleigh family photographer, I want the entire experience to feel enjoyable, from planning your session to selecting your favorite images and creating beautiful printed artwork for your home. I’m happy to help you think through wardrobe choices so you can feel prepared before your session.

If you’re planning family photos in Raleigh, Cary, or the surrounding Triangle area, I’d love to help you create images you’ll enjoy displaying in your home and passing down for years to come.

Ready to plan your family session? Get in touch to learn more about the full-service family photography experience and start planning your session!