What to Wear for Family Photos: A Calm, Cohesive Guide
I’m often asked for outfit guidance before a session — and I love this question. It tells me you're being thoughtful and intentional about your shoot. Planning what to wear doesn’t have to be stressful; it can actually be fun with a few simple guidelines. Whether we’re meeting for your first session or your fifth, here are some tips I often share to help you feel confident and prepared.
Style tips
💄 A little makeup helps everyone on camera — Even a light touch evens out skin tones and adds polish to everyone’s skin, both men and women!
🧣 Cohesion over matching — Choose outfits that are cohesive, not matching. Think about coordinating tones instead of having identical outfits or identical colors.
🧣 Solids over patterns — Solid colors tend to photograph more beautifully because they let the focus stay on what matters — your expressions, your connection, your story. Busy patterns or logos can distract the eye and pull attention away from the emotion in the image. If you do wear a pattern, keep it subtle and consider balancing it with solids on other family members.
🧣 Skip the pleats — Pleated pants can add unnecessary bulk, especially around the waist.
🧣 V-necks are flattering — They elongate the neckline and look great on camera.
💨 Use hairspray for flyaways — Tame frizz or static with a light mist before your session.
🌟 Feel fabulous in what you’re wearing! — Above all else, feeling confident in what you’re wearing trumps all else.
🎨 Need outfit ideas or color combos?
I interviewed stylist Sharon Warten to help families think through fall and winter styling, but her tips apply year-round — especially this one:
➡️ Pick one accent color and sprinkle it across family members in subtle ways (a scarf, shoes, hair bow, etc.).
Need inspiration? Below are wonderful examples of cohesive color coordination between family members. Each group uses one or two tones or accent colors that flow beautifully across the whole family, creating a pulled-together look without feeling too “matchy.”
In the first image, Mom’s ankle-length pants and neutral booties help elongate the legs — a subtle styling move that’s super flattering on camera.
In the second image (middle), the soft, structured hat adds a beautiful focal point and ties in with the family’s earthy palette.
In the last image, the white boots and baby’s red bow echo details in the family’s outfits, tying everyone together while still letting each person shine.
Scroll down to watch my interview with stylist Sharon, and explore her color combo guides to help you choose outfits with confidence.
I hope this guide makes getting ready feel a little easier — and maybe even fun. As always, reach out if you have questions or want feedback on your outfit ideas. I’m here to help you feel confident, comfortable, and completely yourself. Next, be sure to checkout part two of the conversation with Sharon where she covers summer wardrobes.
Planning a session in the Seattle area?
If you’re still deciding on your session type or have questions about what to expect, here are a few helpful links:
→ Redmond Family Photographer
→ Explore session collections
→ Read answers to commonly asked questions