What to Wear for Family Photos: A Simple Guide for Vancouver Families
Choosing what to wear for family photos can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling kids, schedules, and the pressure to “get it right.” Almost every family I work with tells me this is the part they stress about the most.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need new clothes, matching outfits, or anything that doesn’t feel like you. The best family photos come from comfort, connection, and clothing that lets you move easily together.
This guide will walk you through what to wear for family photos in Vancouver, how your location can inspire your outfits, and what works best for in-home, outdoor, maternity, and newborn sessions without overthinking it.
How to Choose Comfortable Outfits You’ll Actually Love
If something feels stiff, tight, itchy, or unfamiliar, it will affect how you move and interact. Especially with kids. Comfort allows you to relax, which is what makes photos feel natural and connected.
True story: one parent decided her daughter MUST wear the beautiful wool sweater she had. The little girl was fussy throughout the session and eventually took it off during the shoot. I highly recommend letting your kids be a part of the outfit selection process.
Before choosing an outfit, ask yourself:
- Can I sit, walk, and pick up my child easily?
- Do I feel like myself in this?
- Would I still feel comfortable wearing this for an hour?
If the answer is yes, you’re already doing it right.
What to Wear For Family Photos at Home
Neutral tones photograph beautifully in every season and across Vancouver’s landscapes. They allow the focus to stay on your family, not your clothing.
Think:
- cream, oatmeal, warm beige
- soft grey or fog blue
- muted greens, browns, or rust
- gentle earth tones
- soft patterns
You don’t need everyone in the same colour. Instead, aim for coordinated tones that sit well together.
Colours to use sparingly:
- bright white (can be harsh in natural light)
- neon or very saturated colours (actually avoid these all together)
- bold logos or graphics (I for sure recommend avoiding these, too!)
Let Your Location Guide Your Outfit Choices:
How Your Photo Location Can Inspire Your Outfits
One of the easiest ways to choose outfits is to start with where your session will take place. Vancouver offers so much variety, and your surroundings naturally inform what will look and feel best.
Outdoor Family Photos in Vancouver
Outdoor sessions often take place in:
- open fields
- forested trails
- beaches
- mountain or river paths
What works well:
- layered outfits (cardigans, jackets, soft knits)
- textured fabrics (linen, denim, cotton, wool blends)
- long dresses or skirts that move with the breeze
- neutral shoes or boots that can handle walking
Colour inspiration:
Soft neutrals, warm browns, muted greens, creams, and denim tones work beautifully against Vancouver’s natural backdrops.
What to Wear For In-Home Family Sessions
In-home sessions are about comfort and familiarity. Your home sets the tone and your clothing should feel like a natural extension of daily life (just a slightly more thoughtful version).
What works well:
- soft sweaters, relaxed button-downs
- comfortable dresses or skirts
- bare feet
- simple patterns (thin stripes, subtle textures)
Tip:
Choose colours that compliment your home. If your space is light and neutral, soft tones will feel cohesive. If your home has warmth and depth, earth tones work beautifully.
What to Wear for Maternity Photos (both in-home and outdoors!)
Great options for wardrobe for your pregnancy photoshoot include:
- flowy dresses that allow movement
- fitted tops with soft layers
- neutral knits or ribbed fabrics
- clothing that feels comfortable sitting, standing, and walking
- a bra and jeans
You don’t need to show your belly unless you want to. What matters most is that you feel supported and at ease in your body.
What to Wear for Newborn Family Photos
Newborn sessions (especially in-home) are quiet, intimate, and unhurried. Clothing should reflect that.
What works best:
- neutral tops without logos
- soft fabrics that feel gentle against your baby
- long sleeves for a clean, timeless look
- layers that allow skin-to-skin moments
What babies should wear:
- simple onesies
- neutral sleepers
- swaddles in soft tones
- just a diaper
Less is always more here.
What Colours Photograph Best for Family Pictures: Coordinate Your Outfits Without Matching
Instead of everyone wearing the same thing, aim for balance:
- Choose 2–3 main colours and build from there
- Mix light and mid-tones
- Avoid everyone wearing denim or everyone wearing white
A simple approach to choose what to wear:
- One person in a soft neutral
- One person in a slightly deeper tone
- One person in texture or layering
What to Skip When Choosing Outfits
Some things tend to distract from the connection in photos:
- large logos or text
- busy patterns
- stiff or overly formal clothing
- outfits you constantly need to adjust
If you’re unsure, simpler is almost always better.
When in Doubt, Choose What Feels Like You
The photos you’ll love most later won’t be about trends or perfectly styled outfits. They’ll reflect:
- how your family fits together
- how it felt to be in that season of life
- the way you naturally connect
If you’re comfortable, present, and able to move easily with your people, the rest falls into place.
Need Help Choosing? I’ve Got You
If you’re booked for a session and feel stuck, I’m always happy to help guide outfit choices. I also have a free downloadable What to Wear Guide for Families that walks you through this step by step.
And if you’re still deciding what type of session feels right (outdoor or in-home) you can read more about family photography sessions here.
Thinking About Booking a Session?
If you’re ready for family photos that feel relaxed, natural, and true to your everyday life, you can get in touch here. I’d love to help you plan something that feels easy from start to finish.
