family outfit inspiration

what to wear for your family photo session

Here are six tips for the perfect outfits to set up a timeless shoot.

A family of five, including two adults and three children, sitting on a blanket on a dirt path in a wooded area during sunset, enjoying each other's company.
Three young girls sitting on a large tree branch in a wooded area during sunset, smiling and enjoying each other's company.
A woman and a young boy holding hands on a sandy beach with a rocky cliff in the background. The woman is wearing a flowing maroon dress and the boy is in a striped shirt and beige pants.

think long term

A woman with two children at the beach, standing in shallow water near rocky cliffs during sunset, all smiling and embracing.

Going into your shoot, think about what these photos will mean to you and your children + grandchildren in the future.

Stick to Neutrals

A family of four sitting on a sandy beach, smiling and enjoying each other's company. The mother is holding a small child, and the father is sitting nearby, with a young girl sitting in front of him. The family is dressed in casual, warm clothing.
A smiling baby wearing a beige knitted hat and cream-colored sweater, being held outdoors.

Neutrals don't just mean blacks, whites and browns. If you google neutral yellow, blue, red etc. color pallets you can find inspiration on different tones surrounding these primary colors. Neutrals are always a safe bet because they're more timeless compared to bright colors that go in and out of style.

wear Something You Feel

comfortable and confident In

A happy family of four sitting on the beach, two parents and two young girls, smiling and looking at each other, with grass and sand in the background.
Family walking on the beach with sand dunes and trees in the background during sunset.

Photoshoots can include fun prompts that involve lots of movement. Wearing something you feel confident in will not only make your shoot more comfortable but will allow your confidence to shine through. Avoiding clothes that are overly tight or restrictive give you room to breath, run around and have fun during your session.

Think of Your Environment

Family of five with two men, two women, and a teenage boy, standing on a sandy beach with a small dog, rocks, and a lighthouse in the background, during sunset.
A cheerful young couple with a small, fluffy dog standing on a rocky beach, enjoying a relaxing moment together.

Wearing clothes and colors that mesh well with your environment is an amazing way to get cohesive photos but also wearing a pop of color like a neutral yellow sweater with coastal views or white/cream in the redwoods is a fun way to play with your environment and get photos that make your stand out.

avoid logos and loud prints

A family of six standing on a sandy beach near rocks and the ocean, smiling for a photo on a cloudy day.
A family of six, including two adults and four children, sitting on rocks at a rocky beach with layered sandstone formations in the background.

This goes back to the idea of creating a timeless session. Loud logos or prints are an easy way to age your photos. Your future self will thank you for leaving the logos at home.


be prepared to

get close & cozy

Two young girls sitting on a blanket on the beach with a large tree in the background during sunset.
A woman with long hair and tattoos sitting on a blanket on the sand at the beach, surrounded by three young girls, all smiling and enjoying a moment together near large trees during sunset.

Wearing something you can sit and stand in is so important. Being able to hug and snuggle your loved ones without worrying about if your clothes are hugging too tight will make for a fun session where you can focus on being present and making a memory with your family.