So, you booked your family photos. Yay!! And now you’re staring into your closet thinking, What the heck are we all going to wear for family photos! You’re not alone! What to wear for family photos is one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a San Francisco and Marin family photographer.
Figuring out what to wear can feel like a whole separate project. But it doesn’t have to be complicated! I promise!! I’m here, your friendly photo-auntie, to help make it easy!
My biggest advice?
Wear things that feel like you, while also choosing pieces that photograph beautifully.
So what does that mean? Let’s get into it!
Most important tip when thinking about what to wear for family photos? Start with your family’s personality!
Your photos should look like your family. That’s something I really, really believe as a photographer!
If you’re a jeans-and-sneakers family, you don’t need to show up in fancy dresses and high heels. Alternatively, if you love getting dressed up, go for it!
Think about what you normally gravitate toward. Then find the slightly more polished version of that thing!
Maybe that means:
- Your favorite denim with a beautiful chunky knit sweater
- A flowy dress that makes you feel amazing
- A little texture with linen, denim, leather, or knits
- A favorite piece of jewelry that has meaning to you
- Shoes you can actually walk and play in
And remember: the goal is not for everyone to look identical. It’s for everyone to look like they belong together.
Which Brings Us To The Next Tip! Coordinate, Don’t Match
Gone are the days of everyone wearing the exact same white shirt and denim pants.
Instead, choose a color palette that works together. Thinking about your outfits in terms of a palette will be the biggest game changer in how you approach your outfits.
Neutrals are always a beautiful starting point. Think cream, beige, soft gray, brown, muted greens, denim, or other earthy tones.
You can add a little color, too. Just keep it complementary rather than having every person wear a completely different bright color. That tends to look really chaotic in photographs.
Also, don’t be afraid of texture! The camera loves texture!! It looks so pretty and adds a spark of interest in your photos. Think… soft knits, denim, linen, waffle knit, gingham, and subtle patterns. They really support the overall photograph, so definitely gravitate towards those while shopping!
Third Tip! Skip the Visual Noise
This one is important.
Your kid might LOVE that superhero shirt. And I pinky-promise, as a parent, I get it! But it probablyyyy isn’t the best choice for family photos.
Here’s why: large logos, cartoon characters, bold graphics, neon colors, and really busy patterns can pull your eye away from the people in the photograph.
And I want your eye to go straight to the good stuff. The little hand holding yours. And way your kids look at you. (Ah, I love those photos!!)
Those are the moments we’re here to capture.
Last Thing to Think About When Deciding What to Wear for Family Photos: The best Outfit is One You Can Move In
Family photos are not about standing perfectly still for an hour.
We’re going to move. We’re going to play!! Your kids might run around. You might pick someone up. There will probably be some snuggling involved. (There will DEFINITELY be snuggling involved 😉
So choose clothes that let you actually do those things.
After photographing dozens and dozends of families, I can confidently say: when you feel comfortable, your photos will look more natural, too.
Still not sure what to wear?
Don’t stress. I’m happy to help you plan your outfits before your session. I’m your sounding board, your photographer aunt and the person who will help you bring it all together!
The goal isn’t perfection.
It’s creating photos that feel like your family, look beautiful on camera, and still make you smile years from now.
