If figuring out what your family should wear for professional photos makes you want to close your laptop and get to it later (or, not at all!)… you’re not alone.
One of the first things almost every mom says to me is:
“I have no idea what everyone should wear.”
I get it.
You’re trying to coordinate multiple people, different body types, tiny humans with opinions, weather, comfort, and somehow make it all feel effortless at the same time.
But after photographing hundreds of families over the years, I can tell you something important:
The Goal Isn’t to Look Like a Pinterest Family
The goal is to recognize yourselves when you look back at these photos years from now.
Because the families who end up loving their photos the most usually aren’t the ones who followed every “perfect outfit” rule. They’re the ones who felt comfortable, connected, and like themselves.
Start With Mom’s Outfit First
When I help families plan outfits, I almost always start with mom’s outfit first.
Not because moms need to “stand out,” but because when mom feels good, the entire session feels different.
You relax more.
You stop overthinking.
You’re more present with your kids.
You actually enjoy yourself.
And that changes everything in the photos.
Once we find an outfit that feels like you, that becomes the anchor piece for everyone else.
From there, we build around it using complementary colours, textures, and tones instead of trying to perfectly match everyone together. If you’re struggling to coordinate colours, I love using tools like Coolors to visualize palettes together. Here’s a link to a colour palette generator you might find helpful in choosing colours for your outfits.
Where to Shop For Outfits
Families often ask where to start looking for clothing and these stores usually have great soft neutral pieces and textures that photograph beautifully:
Coordinating Always Photographs Better Than Matching
One of the biggest mistakes I see families make is dressing everyone in identical outfits.
❌ White shirts and jeans.
❌ Matching plaid.
❌ The exact same colour on every person.
And while I understand the instinct behind it, it often makes the photos feel more about the outfits than the people.
Instead, I recommend coordinating your family outfits
Think about these colours that photograph well:
- soft blues,
- creams,
- beige,
- khaki,
- light denim,
- muted pinks,
- earthy greens,
- subtle patterns,
- natural textures like linen, knit, cotton, or chiffon.
When everyone has their own variation within a shared colour palette, the photos feel much more natural, timeless, and visually balanced.
My Favourite Colour Palettes for Soft, Airy Photos
If you love the light aesthetic you see throughout my work, softer tones tend to photograph beautifully.
Some combinations I often recommend:
- dusty blue + cream + beige
- sage + oatmeal + soft denim
- muted mauve + tan + ivory
- light neutrals mixed with one slightly richer tone
And remember:
Not everyone needs to wear light colours for a session to feel soft.
Balance matters more than perfection.
Here’s my portfolio from outdoor family photo sessions to give you some inspiration
What to Avoid Wearing in Family Photos
There really aren’t many “hard rules” in my opinion, but there are a few things that tend to distract from connection in photos.
I usually recommend avoiding:
Large logos
They tend to pull attention away from faces and emotion.
Neon colours
They reflect colour casts onto skin and can overpower an image very quickly.
Athletic wear
Unless it genuinely reflects who you are as a family, it usually photographs more casual than people expect.
Too many competing patterns
One subtle print can be beautiful. Five different loud patterns usually feel chaotic. That being said, wearing many patterns can also look amazing if you’re committed to it!
Smart watches or fitness trackers
Unless they’re sentimental or special pieces, they often become visual distractions.
That said…
Rules Can Be Broken
This part matters.
I feel 100 times better in jeans than I do in a dress.
So if I forced myself into something trendy or ultra-feminine just because it “photographs well,” I probably wouldn’t recognize myself in those images years later. Here’s an example below ;)
And that’s the entire point.
The best outfit is the one that helps you feel:
- comfortable,
- confident,
- relaxed,
- and recognizable to yourself.
Confidence photographs better than perfection ever will.
What Moms Are Actually Worried About
Here’s something I wish more moms knew before booking family photos:
Most of the time, the thing you’re worried about isn’t actually the thing your children will remember.
Moms often tell me:
- “I haven’t lost the weight I wanted to.”
- “I don’t feel pretty right now.”
- “My kids are wild.”
- “I’m worried we won’t look good.”
Years from now, your children won’t care whether your dress was trendy enough or whether everyone matched perfectly.
They’ll care that you were there.
That you were holding them.
Laughing with them.
Looking at them with love.
That’s what makes a photograph timeless.
Not the outfit.
The connection.
What Makes Family Photos Feel Timeless?
I don’t think timelessness comes from clothing nearly as much as people think it does. Timeless photos happen when:
- families interact naturally,
- kids are allowed to be kids,
- parents stop trying to perform,
- and everyone feels safe enough to just be themselves.
The clothing simply supports the story.
A Real Example From One of My Families
One of my clients wrote this after her session:
“My photoshoot started well before the actual day. Meliza helped me with choosing coordinated outfits for the entire family and gave me suggestions that would optimize our session. This was VERY helpful especially as a new mom having other braincells to use and make decisions.”
This is exactly why I guide families through wardrobe planning in the first place.
Not so you look “perfect.” But so you can stop stressing and actually enjoy the experience.
A Few Things That Always Photograph Beautifully
If you’re still wondering where to start, here are a few things I personally love in photos:
Movement
Flowy dresses, oversized knits, loose fabrics, bare feet, cardigans, little kids running around.
Movement brings life into photos.
Texture
Linen, denim, knit, cotton, lace, chiffon. Texture adds depth without feeling distracting.
Sentimental Pieces
A grandmother’s necklace.
A favourite baby blanket.
A watch passed down through family.
Your favourite worn-in jeans.
These details often become the most meaningful part of the photo later.
Comfort
This one matters more than almost anything else.
If your child hates stiff dress shoes, don’t force them.
If you feel awkward in formalwear, scale it back.
You want to look elevated, yes. But still like yourselves.
My Biggest Advice? Stop Trying to Look Like the Internet
I think a lot of families are chasing an image they’ve seen online (I’ve been there, promise). But beautiful family photos aren’t created because someone copied a Pinterest board perfectly.
They’re created because the people in the photo felt something real together.
So instead of asking:
“What should we wear to look perfect?”
Try asking:
“What would feel the most like us?”
Final Thoughts
Your family photos do not need to be flawless to be meaningful.
You don’t need perfectly behaved kids.
You don’t need a brand-new wardrobe.
You don’t need to look like influencers.
You just need to show up as yourselves.
Because one day, these photos won’t just remind you what everyone wore.
They’ll remind you:
- who you were,
- who loved you,
- and what this season of your life felt like.
And that’s what really matters.
If you’re ready to book your own family photos this season, get in touch. I’d love to help you capture this season as you are.
