How to Coordinate Outfits for Your Family Photoshoot

Gone are the days of matching white shirts and khaki pants or shorts. While this was an incredibly easy option for family portraits (except for that one family member that was impossible to find khaki pants for), it does nothing to show your family’s personality!

You’ll love looking back at these photos for years to come, admiring it on your mantle, or sending it out into the world on your family Christmas cards. 

But first, what do you wear? Here are some tips to plan your family’s outfits for your photo session.  

1. Choose coordinating colors rather than matching colors.

Do you want to stick to neutrals or bring in a little color? When choosing neutrals, you’ll want to stay on the same scale: grayscale (blacks, whites and grays) or the warmer, brown scale (browns, taupes and creams). Keep in mind, black and white can look harsh against one another, so it’s usually best to stick with soft, warm hues that gradually shift.  

When choosing colors, you also want to think about hues that pair well together. For example, if Mom wants to wear red and Dad wants to wear green, you’ll always look at that photo and think of Christmas – even if it was taken in the middle of summer! Instead, choose colors that are more similar, like blue and green or light blue and navy, mixed with neutrals. 

When in doubt, go soft and neutral! 

2. Keep prints to a minimum.

As a general rule, no more than 1/3 to 1/4 of the family should wear a print. If multiple people are wearing a print, make sure they play well together (for example, a floral print wouldn’t clash with a thin striped shirt). You don’t want anything too distracting or loud. For the family members wearing solids, it’s ideal to find solid pieces of clothing that pull from that print as well as have a mix of family members in neutral colors. Remember, the focus is on you and your family, so make sure the clothes don’t distract from your beautiful faces!

3. Start with the person who is hardest to dress.

You already have someone in mind that is hard to shop for. For example, there are limited clothing options for tweens and young teens. Mom might like for her arms to be covered. Dad may have to special order his clothes or have things tailored to fit. Find that family member their ideal piece of clothing first, and then plan around that! 

4. Keep the location in mind.

If the photoshoot is going to take place outside around a lot of greenery, it may not be a good idea for the entire family to be in green. If it’s in your home and your walls are blue, you may not want to wear hot pink or orange (or maybe you do!). You want to create depth and dimension between you and the background, and this can be hard to do if you match it! Keep in mind those complimentary colors we talked about earlier too ­– that applies to the background as well!

5. Think about who will be standing next to each other.

If two people are wearing the same color shirt, you may not want them standing next to each other in the photo. Both Mom and Dad shouldn’t wear the same color because more than likely, they’ll be next to each other in most shots. If many people do want to wear the same color, think about ways you can make that work. For example, one child wears a cream dress, another wears white pants and taupe top, and the next wears darker bottoms with a cream top. Lay out all of the outfits together to make sure everything pairs well together. 

6. Be comfortable.

You don’t want to be annoyed by your outfit during your photo session. Make sure everyone is comfortable and that clothing fits well to avoid tugging and re-situating articles of clothing. If you have a little one that you’ll be holding or picking up, it may be a better idea to choose a modest neckline with a tighter fitting top to keep it in place on your body. You may also want to avoid wearing a dress so you don’t have to worry about raising your arms, bending over, or sitting in certain positions. If you’re worried about articles of clothing moving around, your photos will come across as stiff, so keep it comfortable! 

7. Let your family’s personality shine.

This is YOUR photoshoot for YOUR family! Think about your family’s personality. Are you loud and proud? Then you may want to choose bold colors. Are you a fashionista? Then choose a fun trend to show off. While family photos are a special moment captured in time, they are also something you may want redone year after year to see how your family grows and changes. It will be fun to look back at the outfits you chose to represent your family’s personality over the years! 

8. Timeless is always in style. 

On the other hand, this may be a one-time investment for you! If that’s the case, stick with neutral, classic pieces that will never go out of style. 

9. Accessorize.

Don’t be afraid to accessorize! Add the big earrings, the bows, the fancy shoes. A pop of gold jewelry can add a timeless, warm look to your photos. Just be sure that everyone is comfortable and won’t be fidgeting with any extra pieces. 

Why should you hire Jen Wilke Photography for your family portraits?

As a wife and mom of two boys, I know how much I’ve cherished my family photos through the years. When doing it yourself, it’s difficult to get the “real” moments in between the staged shots. A professional photographer can capture your family’s personality and interaction and give you a piece of art to admire for years to come. Learn more about my family photo sessions below!