Booked a Family Photo Session and Need Outfit Help?
Choosing what to wear for family photos can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re coordinating multiple people. The good news is that you don’t need to match perfectly or buy all new clothes. The goal is simple: outfits that feel comfortable, cohesive, and true to your family.
Below are outfit examples from real Colorado family photo sessions, along with explanations of why the clothing works so well together. Use these ideas as inspiration as you plan your own family photo outfits.
1. Complimentary Color Coordination for Family Photos
For this session, Crystal chose a beautiful orange dress she already owned. She then found a coordinating orange dress for her daughter. While the colors aren’t an exact match, they fall within the same color family — which keeps the look cohesive without feeling overly styled.
Her husband’s shirt (which also happens to be her dad’s wedding shirt) is an off-white neutral that works perfectly with the orange tones. The subtle blue details in his shirt also help tie in the blue accents from their daughter’s dress.
I love that this color palette leans earthy. It complements the greens, browns, and natural textures of the Colorado landscape without blending in too much or feeling overly bright.
2. Using Complimentary Colors in Family Photo Outfits
Jennifer chose blues for her family’s photo session, and the outfits work beautifully together. Even though each person is wearing something different, the colors stay connected, which creates a cohesive look without being matchy.
Her husband’s shirt nods to the blue tones while staying neutral overall, and the variation in patterns keeps things visually interesting. This approach is a great example of how family photo outfits can coordinate without everyone wearing the same colors.
3. Accessories for Your Family Photoshoot
Accessories are an easy way to add personality and polish to your family photo outfits.
For this session, Crystal incorporated hats and bows for the kids, along with a chunky necklace and statement earrings for herself. The yellow moccasins her son is wearing add a subtle pop of color and help finish the look.
Accessories don’t need to be overdone — even small details like shoes, jewelry, or hair pieces can elevate an outfit and make it feel intentionaI.
4. Don’t Forget About Texture
Texture adds depth and interest to photos, especially in outdoor family sessions.
Jennifer’s sweater works beautifully because of its knit texture and the small pops of color woven throughout. Her youngest son’s sweater adds another layer of visual interest and contrasts nicely with the simpler shirts worn by other family members.
I love mixing textures like knits, denim, corduroy, or linen whenever possible — they photograph well and add richness without being distracting.
5. Takeaways for Colorado Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Here are a few simple guidelines to keep in mind when choosing what to wear for your family photography session:
- Start with your own outfit and choose something you feel good in.
- Have your partner wear a neutral or complementary color.
- Pull colors for your children’s outfits from the parents’ clothing.
- Mix solids and patterns thoughtfully — balance is key.
- Add texture through sweaters, layers, or accessories.
- Finish the look with details like shoes, jewelry, hats, or scarves.
And always feel free to send / text me photos of your outfit ideas — I’m happy to give feedback.
6. Optional Wardrobe Styling Support
If you’d like extra help pulling outfits together, I also offer access to Style & Select, a client wardrobe styling service that allows you to visualize outfits side-by-side before your session. This is completely optional, but it can be especially helpful when coordinating multiple people or if you want reassurance that everything works well together.
I’ll share more details once your session is booked.
7. More Outfit Planning Tips & Session Prep
For more wardrobe guidance, you may also find these helpful:
- Preparing for an outdoor winter family photography session
- What to wear for newborn photography sessions
If you’re planning a relaxed family photo session in Colorado and want guidance every step of the way, you can learn more about my family photography sessions here.
