What to Wear For Family Photos: 10 Tips from a Fashion Stylist
Family photoshoots are a time that is meant to capture the joy in family life. However, often this small act of preserving a family legacy can be a royal pain in the a**. There is so much stress around the event. Unknowns like the weather, who will actually behave, will we all look good in the same photo, will my eyes be closed, and will my kid offer their real smile. And, of course, the stress and uncertainty surrounding what to wear for said photos.
The topic of what to wear for family photos is such a stressor that I was asked by our local NBC affiliate, WKYC, to do a segment on the subject. You can watch the segment below, but I also thought It might be helpful to dig a little deeper into HOW to approach outfits for family photos. What to look for, what to stay away from, and if you really need to go buy everything new (spoiler - the answer is a big NO).
I also collaborated with my friend and talented photographer Kim Ponsky on this - so some of the tips are credited to her. After shooting thousands of families over the years, Kim has seen it all. If you’re in need of family photos or new headshots or have an upcoming event, be sure to contact Kim - she’s a true pro.
Tips for Choosing the Right Outfits for your Family Photos:
Plan Ahead
What’s the saying “prior planning prevents piss poor performance”? Yes - with photographs as well. Give yourself time to make sure all the looks look good together. And that every family member is COMFORTABLE in what they’re wearing. An itchy sweater or too-tight dress will show on the person’s face in the picture, trust me!
Location, Location, Location
Keep the location of the shoot in mind when selecting outfits. If it’s a winter, snowy photoshoot, it’ll look silly to be wearing a beach dress. That’s an extreme example but you get the idea. Is the location indoor or out? At the beach? In a field? On a mountain? Let the location help set the tone.
Coordinate But Don’t Match
Look for colors that play nicely together. That coordinate but without requiring every family member to be wearing the exact same color. Kim calls this picking from the same box of crayons. This will look more natural and authentic AND it will be easier to accomplish.
Pick 4 Colors and Let Them Choose
I like using this tip with larger groups, like extended family, multi generational photos. Pick a color scheme, for example, white, denim, khaki, and navy - and let all family members create their own outfits within the scheme. We did this when we took photos with Greg’s entire family a few years ago and it turned out to be fabulous. It allowed each person to come in an outfit that felt like them and still had us all looking like we belonged together.
Practicality over Fashion
Especially if you have little ones, keep in mind the practical elements of keeping everyone happy during the shoot. Allowing them to run and crawl will let their personalities come through on film.
Beware of Ruffles
When kids are little and you have to hold them during photos, beware of ruffles, bows or other details that may not lay properly while holding a wiggling little.
Add Interest with Accessories
Outfit add-ons like scarves, hats, belts, or ties can add texture, pattern, and interest to your photos without overpowering the whole look. Very often, accessories can be the throughline marrying the entire photo. Picture this, (yes, the pun is intended) if the family opts for pastels, and mom is wearing a pastel pattern scarf. The colors in the scarf can tie the pinks, mint greens, and powder blues the other members are wearing together.
Ditch the Logos
This is an UBER IMPORTANT tip. Clothing with logos will 100%, without a doubt, hijack a family photo because the eye will go right to that logo and take away from the faces of the people being photographed.
The Clothes are Just a Supporting Character
Remember, while the clothes are important to the successful outcome of the photos, they’re really just the supporting cast. The stars are the family members and their faces - that is what you want to capture and remember for years to come.
Other Things to Avoid
Here are some other stuff to stay away from because they just make photos less picturesque:
Transitional lenses (you can’t see the eyes)
Small patterns (they tend to distort on film)
Neon colors (they can make skin tones look green)
Baby rompers that do not completely cover the diaper (we don’t want to see the diaper brand or characters - like a logo, it’s distracting)
Family Photoshoot Outfit Inspiration
Click the links below the photos to shop the pieces.
Outfits for Mom + Dad
Outfits for the Kids
