When it comes to family portraits, one of the most common questions we get is,“What should we wear?” It’s a tricky decision! Since these photos will last a lifetime, you want to make sure your entire family looks as good as possible. But at the same time, you also want them to look like themselves — not wearing stuffy clothes that make them feel uncomfortable. We always recommend wearing clothing that makes you feel and look your best, which can be different for every person. Here are a few other wardrobe suggestions that photograph beautifully.

Start by picking a palette of 3-4 colors and let this be your starting place. Think tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate and compliment one another beautifully. As a general rule, darker colors will blend into the background more while lighter colors will give that fresh, vibrant look. One or two family members wearing a pattern is okay, but too many patterns tend to clash and draw too much attention.

Make sure your outfits coordinate well with one another. Stick to your chosen color palette of one or two colors. Matching outfits can look a little dated — coordinated outfits look harmonious and pretty. To make sure all of your outfits go well together, try laying out everyone’s photoshoot outfits together the day before. Choose one statement outfit with a few colors in it, and use that to work off of for the rest of the family’s outfits. Keep patterns to a minimum, and consider playing with textures instead.

Ask your children what they’d like to wear. Asking their opinions will help to make sure they feel comfortable and involved. (Just make sure they know their picks are subject to your final approval — otherwise, you might have a little Spiderman in your family portraits!) Avoid large logos and graphic tees, they tend to distract from the most important part of the photo — your beautiful faces!

Keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure you dress accordingly. Choose colors that are appropriate for the season. And if it’ll be chilly during your photoshoot, be sure to bundle up a bit! If someone in your family is wearing a warm jacket, it’s not a good idea for someone else to be wearing a summer outfit. Keep similar styles to avoid having one person standing out in your portrait.

Keep it classic! You will have these photos and cherish them for years to come, so keep your outfit classic to avoid the photos feeling dated. We recommend avoiding any bright colored nailpolish, heavy makeup or big jewelry.

When families are stuck on what to wear we often suggest wearing any combination of cream, gray, and tan. It looks good in almost every setting, especially at many locations in the fall. The result is a monochromatic look and the soft neutrals always bring the focus back to the people in the photos. It creates an easy timeless look that is easy to pull together, and keeps the family feeling comfortable. Always strive for colors and textures that are going to complement the location, and season!

Shoes are a part of the outfit and should match the style of clothing you have picked. If everyone is wearing dressy/boho vibe clothes, they should not be wearing athletic tennis shoes or beach flip flops. If everyone is leaning towards a retro/modern feel, then black shiny dress shoes and cowboy boots won’t work. Shoes should always complement the overall outfit or be as neutral and clean as possible.

We would love to help you plan and photograph your next photo session. Please reach out to us here to schedule your next photoshoot with us!