What to Wear to a Family Photoshoot | A Simple Guide
Planning your family photoshoot is exciting – but choosing what to wear can sometimes feel a little daunting! If you’re wondering what to wear to your family photoshoot, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is, with a few easy tips, you’ll be dressed and ready to capture beautiful, timeless memories with your family.
Here’s everything you need to know about choosing outfits for your family photos:
1. Choose a colour palette (not matching outfits)
Instead of everyone wearing the exact same thing (hello, matching white shirts and jeans from the ’90s!), pick a color palette of 3–4 complementary colors. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, pastels, or muted shades photograph beautifully. Think beige, sage green, soft blues, creams, and dusty pinks.
Start with one person’s outfit and build around it. For example, if Mum wears a flowy sage dress, Dad might wear a neutral-toned shirt and chinos, while the kids wear outfits that pick up hints of green, cream, or soft tan.
Choosing a palette makes the whole family look coordinated without feeling too forced.
2. Keep it comfortable
When you feel good, it shows in the photos. Choose clothes that fit well, move easily, and make you feel like you. If a dress isn’t your thing, don’t feel like you have to wear one. Avoid anything too tight, itchy, or that you’ll be constantly adjusting (keep that in mind for under garments too).
For little ones especially, comfort is key – a scratchy dress or tight waistband can turn a happy session into a cranky one quickly!
3. Think about textures, layers and accessories
Mixing textures (like linen, denim, soft knits, lace, and cotton) adds beautiful depth to your photos. Layers, like cardigans, vests, or scarves, not only look amazing – and give you the opportunity for variety in your photos if you have some with and without the extra layer.
Fashion hats or beanies for the little ones can be nice to incorporate for some shots – but preferably no caps.
4. Avoid logos, neon colours and busy patterns
Big logos, bold graphics, and busy prints can be distracting. You want the focus to be on your family’s connection – not a giant swoosh or slogan!
Neon colours can also cast strange colours onto skin in photos, so it’s best to stick with softer, natural tones.
If you love a pattern, go for something subtle like tiny florals, soft stripes, or delicate checks.
5. Avoid bright white
While a crisp white shirt or dress might seem like a classic choice, it’s best to avoid bright white (see colour indicator below) outfits for your family photo session.
Bright white tends to reflect a lot of light, which can cause harsh highlights, blown-out patches, and even colour casts onto skin. It can also appear stark or distracting against softer, more natural backdrops like greenery, beach dunes, or rustic fields.
Instead, choosing softer neutrals like warm white, cream, oatmeal, or warm beige helps create a more balanced, timeless look where the focus stays exactly where it should be: on your beautiful family connection.
Colour indicator only:
6. Dress for the season and location
Think about where your family photoshoot will be held and what the weather will be like. Flowy dresses and bare feet work beautifully for beach or park sessions. Cosy knits and boots are perfect for cooler weather. For a home session, you might choose to opt for something more casual rather than a long dress or button-up shirts.
Coordinate your outfits with your surroundings – you want to complement the location.
6. Final tips: Try it on beforehand!
Lay everyone’s outfits out together a few days before your session to see how everything looks as a whole. Even better, have everyone try their outfits on together! This way, you can make sure the colours flow nicely, the fits are comfy, and there are no last-minute wardrobe malfunctions.
For little ones, ensure their pants fit at the waist properly. A nappy cover for under little girls’ dresses can be a good idea. For young girls, consider if frilly sleeves might obscure their faces (especially if it’s breezy, the sleeves might not always sit as intended).
For Mum, ensure you’re wearing the best under garments for your outfit. Do you need to consider nude underwear under your light coloured dress? If you’re wearing an outfit with thin or no straps, ensure that you choose a bra accordingly.
For Dads it’s also a good idea to consider the best coloured under garments, especially as the band of briefs often sits higher than the waistline of pants. Lifting a little one into the air or giving a shoulder ride is a token “dad shot” and these shots often cause the hem of a shirt to come up a little higher (sometimes exposing those bright blue Bonds briefs!).
Choosing what to wear to your family photo session doesn’t have to be stressful. Keep it simple, stay true to your family’s style, and focus on comfort and connection. With the right outfits, your session will be filled with genuine smiles and beautiful memories you’ll treasure forever.
Need more help planning your family photo session? I’d love to chat and help you create the perfect look for your photos!
Browse through my Portfolio for some more outfit inspo here | Or if you’ve got the outfits sorted, check out some location options here!