What to wear & What Not to Wear to Your Family Photo Session

A little chaos leads to big wins with family sessions. From year to year there is so much new that can come from your family photo experience, don’t let wearing the wrong thing get in the way of these timeless memories.

You are not alone in wondering what you should wear to family photos, almost every one of my clients has asked me. Heck, I’ve even booked a photographer for my family photos and still asked her what she recommends even though I have been advising people on the topic for years. The thing is, for most people there are tons of options and only a few guidelines to follow, all of which still have exceptions to the rule, when it comes to picking out what their family should look like for their upcoming photo session. Today I thought I’d start us out with what not to wear because those guidelines really do hold their weight when deciding on the perfect attire for your family session.

Do NOT wear the wrong shoes

For most, this is where things go wrong in two different ways.

First, wearing uncomfortable shoes that you can’t move around in easily during your photo session will be a nightmare for you and your children! Mom’s, please don’t wear heels and don’t stick your kiddos in brand new shoes that have them tripping over themselves. Most of my sessions involve a little playing around, so, mom, if you’re in heels, it’s going to be really tough to let loose and enjoy your family. I also have some locations that require a bit of walking that would be difficult in heels. If you really want to wear them, I’d suggest bringing another option you like for the more playful images, and save the heels for a few select photos.

The second way you can go wrong is wearing a shoe that doesn’t fit the aesthetic of your outfits or the location. Specifically, athletic shoes don’t typically match the dress you are wearing or your husband’s button down. Shoes with bright neon colors ( including the sole of the shoe), bright white, and or bold designs can often clash or stand out during a session. If your kiddo is insistent on wearing their favorite pair of running shoes with the neon green strip, let them and bring your preferred pair as well, sometimes they get a little more enthusiastic about wearing the pair you brought when I ask them too, cuz let’s be real kids never really like listening to their parents as much as they do other people. Worst case, I have been known to let kiddos run around barefoot in certain locations.

Do wear shoes that …

are a neutral color. Brown, black, and grey shoes tend to always look great in photos. Boots, sandals, flats, certain Vans or Converse styles and anything else along those lines also photograph well. They are easy to walk in and most of us have some variation of them already sitting in our closet.

Do NOT wear too much color

This sounds funny because most people like a colorful wardrobe, but I have found that in most cases having a singular person or two wearing a pop of color works out way better then everyone wearing bright colors. This is simply because neutrals photograph better and allow us to focus on your family’s connection rather then the bright red shirt decided to wear. The boldest and brightest part of the photo is the part people will see first and we want your family’s love and cuteness to be the center of attention not your clothes. Colors to stay away from are any primary colors ( pure red, yellow, and blue), pure white, and any of the colors that come to mind when you think of the rainbow.

Do wear muted tones, pastel tones, and neutrals

When pairing each other’s outfits together the best colors are anything that is a little more subtle then the classic color wheel. Some of the colors that I’ve seen photograph best are maroon, olive green, tan, brown, burnt orange, dark blue ( like jeans), black, grey, plumb, and pastel pink. A good rule of thumb is to dress with colors you would see naturally in nature and then add a jewel tone accent.

Do NOT wear clothes that don’t fit

This may seem obvious, but it’s important. Parent’s will most likely be picking kiddos up. With that in mind dad’s shirt should be long enough to cover stomach areas and the sleeves need to have movement above his head in case we swing kids onto his shoulders or bounce them in the air. Mom’s dress should be long enough that if she bends down to the kid’s level we don’t get a peak up the skirt. She too may be lifting the little ones up so a short skirt length with a kid on the hip or low cut top that is constantly slipping down can become problematic. The best way to think about if the fit is right for your photo session is to make sure arms lifting and bodies swaying around won’t become a concern. We want this to be your most carefree family session yet!

Do wear comfy and cute styles

For most this part is not too hard to do. Find a style you love and feel confident in and chances are you can’t go wrong!

Do NOT wear the wrong patterns

So this one can go wrong a few ways. Don’t wear a pattern that’s too big, it overwhelms the subject. But at the same time, you don’t want tiny patterns if the colors are too contrast-y (a light and a dark color together). A perfect example of this is men’s shirts that have tiny checkered patterns or small polk-a-dots because it looks trippy when photographed. Same with super close-together stripes.

Do wear floral patterns, plaid, or textured cloth patterns

Keep in mind all patterns should be done in a minimal fashion. A good rule of thumb is for every one persona wearing a pattern, have one person with out any patterns.

Do NOT wear matching outfits

I know it was a big thing for a while to wear matching outfits/ patterns for family photos, but I really love when there is a variety of colors and patterns. To me it just keeps things more timeless and really gives each family member a personality. So if you’re shopping and see mommy and me outfits or matching sibling outfits… just keep looking! The main reason for this is that anyone wearing the same color or pattern is going to blend into each other. It looks much better to have a separation between people so you can see where one person ends and the next starts. If you want to wear the same color as someone else in your family that is 100% okay, just pick a different shade or different article of clothing for that color so there is a difference. See how in this example below, everyone is in a different color so you can really see where each person is, even though they are all super close? That’s what we want. And definitely never put your family all in different shade of the same color, you definitely want variety so you don’t all look like one of those paint swatch cards.

Do break up colors by layering

Layering your looks can really make you each stand out and not blend together. A simple neutral colored cardigan or blazer can add the separation you need between people so that each individual stands out in your photos

Do NOT wear turtlenecks or bulky sweaters

Covering up your neck or, this goes out to all moms, your tummy area with turtle necks or sweaters really just adds extra bulk to your shape in photographs. Instead opt for the stylish jacket. This also applies to scarfs and big necklaces. We want to see your neck so you don’t look like a floating head in your photos.

Do wear stylish jackets, hats, and minimalistic jewelry

Each item you wear impacts the final results of your photos, but having these items with you allows for options through out the session. A few photos with the hat on, a few with it off, a few jacket shots and a few no jacket shots. Variation is the best option when it comes to wardrobe for any photo session.

No Not wear these colors

I’ll start by saying this is all my opinion and personal preference. I’m not a huge fan of black clothing items in large doses. All the details get lost in the shadows and it also just dulls your images.

And on the opposite end, wearing bright white  is also not my favorite. It can cast bright spots onto faces in certain light, or look blue rather than white.

Neon is a no go! Don’t do it! Neon always bounces its color back into your face and causes people to look slightly green, pink, yellow, what ever the neon color it is they are wearing.

Choosing too much color and not enough neutrals is a mistake. For example, do NOT have everyone wear different shade to the same color. Instead, have someone in a floral dress with some light purple/mauve (avoid bright purple), another person in a light yellow, someone else in cream, and another in brown. This way the colors aren’t so in your face and everything flows nicely.

Do wear these colors instead

Dark gray, dark wash jeans, dark navy and dark olive are great substitutions for black. Off-white and cream are great in place of white, and also white lace is okay because it has so much texture you don’t even notice how bright it actually is.

Do NOT get too formal for your photo session

Obviously you want to look nice for your photos, but it’s more of a relaxed vibe. We are going to be playing games and having fun so wearing suits, tutus, and ball gowns just doesn’t make sense. For dads in particular, I’d stay away from dress pants and business shirts because they tend to look uncomfortable, and the point is to have fun! Also, basic long-sleeved business shirts are too puffy so they just aren’t flattering in photos (plus they have no texture so and look a little boring). 

Do go for a classy comfort

A nice pair of jeans, polo, sports coat, cardigan, flow dress, etc. Think of the holiday party at a friends house kind of style. You want to look your best for a night out, but there is no need to be business casual for the event.

Stay away from logos, characters, and words on clothing

You probably already know this, but it’s super important not to wear any words, logos, or characters of any kind on your clothing. Even that tiny Nike logo in the top corner of your t-shirt is going to draw the eye there rather than the subject of the photo… your family! That’s the entire point of your photo session so let’s keep the attention on you.

Do opt for floral prints, for females, and textures instead

Floral prints or the patterns we talked about above are great to add some variation along with textures. textured clothing really brings a level of depth to your outfits and makes you look more interesting.

Do NOT put babies in skirts

I would absolutely recommend that any baby or toddler who will be held more than 50% of the photo session should not wear a skirt or dress. The reason is that their diaper is probably going to end up showing. You can definitely get some cute bloomers but there is something else to consider. Parents are always trying to make sure they don’t squish the skirt so they put it over their arm while they hold the baby. But then it looks like she’s just floating there. My images are all about connection so I want to see your arms wrapped around your little girl, not a floating baby.

Do cover up the diaper/ opt for a better way

So here’s a better option! Put her in a romper! Or a cute top with cable-knit tights and ruffle-butt bloomers over them. Or adorable baby bell-bottoms and a top. Something without a skirt. There are lots of super cute options out there!

That covers all the dos and don’ts of what to wear during your family session. I do have two final tips for you before you head out to your session.

Try not to forget the little details

Check for the small things that sometimes go overlooked:
-Scrunchies and hair-ties on wrists
-Food in teeth or on kids faces
-Watches that are too modern (they just really stand out and date your photos)
-Phones or keys in pockets (or anything, really. Empty those pockets!)

Lastly, don’t forget to be yourselves!

Infuse your own personalities into your outfits if you can. If your daughter loves twirly dresses then put her in one, but if she hates them, go for some bell bottoms with a knotted tee or a romper. If your little boy is obsessed with the color orange, find a way to incorporate that into his outfit. Obviously, I love to photograph the movement of a dress but if that’s also not your style, we can find other ways to add movement in, like wearing a lace kimono or cardigan over your jeans and top. You want to look good but you don’t want to wear things you are uncomfortable in. So next time you are asking yourself what to wear to your family photo session, remember to put some of your own style into it!