*Originally published May 2022, Updated Aug 2023*
The Best Family Photo Outfit Ideas
When planning family photos there are often a lot of questions that will run through your head – Where will you go? Who will take the pictures? What will you wear? How can you make sure your little ones aren’t making funny faces the whole time?
While we can’t exactly tell you how to get little Jimmy to keep a normal smile on his face during the photo shoot (as moms we know the struggle!), we can give you some tips and great outfit inspiration to help you with your planning!
Below you’ll find answers to common questions about family photo outfits, color palette ideas, and 15+ fantastic family outfits we think you’ll love.
How should you dress for family photos?
When it comes to a family photoshoot we recommend going with a smart-casual style which is a mix between dressy and formal and more casual and laid-back. As a matter of fact, family photos have come a long way from the stuffy portrait studios and are now often very candid and casual.
This means you can leave the super formal outfits at home (unless your photos are being taken at a formal occasion like a wedding). Instead, opt for a more laid-back version of dressy so you feel comfortable and put-together at the same time.
This can include breezy dresses, nice blouses and trousers or skirts for the women/girls, and chino pants and button-up tops or sweaters for the men/boys.
What are the best colors to wear for family pictures?
Trying to coordinate colors for everyone in the family can be challenging. But, we have a trick to make it easier! We recommend sticking with mostly neutrals then bringing in subtle colors and patterns as accents if you want to brighten up the look.
Additionally, if everyone is wearing a bright/bold color or pattern, it can overwhelm the photos and take away from your beautiful faces. Instead, its best to go with neutrals as they are subtle and classy and work well with any other accent color tone.
Above you’ll see four different family photo outfit ideas with corresponding color palettes that combine neutrals with one or two accent colors.
What should I wear for a large group family photo?
For large group family photos where there is bound to be a lot going on, we recommend sticking with neutrals and/or subtle colors. Ivory, beige, tan, and cream are all lovely with an accent color like blush, sage green, russet brown, mist blue, or navy.
Depending on the formality of the photo, you can go with a simple dress and heels, or trousers with a pretty blouse. Also, for cooler weather, a nice knit sweater and a pair of jeans with ankle booties looks great!
Additionally, just to be on the safe side, ask whoever is coordinating the family portrait if they have a color scheme in mind, or any specific dress code.
19+ Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Below are our top family picture outfit combinations for spring family photos, summer pictures, and fall and winter photo sessions.
Spring Family Photo Session Outfits
Gorgeous new blooms make a perfect backdrop for family photos, so if you plan to take advantage of the natural beauty of this season, the spring family photo outfits below are for you!
mauve and green.
get the look:
Spring is such a gorgeous time to get family photos taken. Everything begins to get colorful and new life is blooming! We love this family photo outfit idea with the mom in a pretty mauve maxi dress, baby in a forest green romper, and dad in light green chinos and a neutral sweater.
The wardrobe colors are subtle and they compliment the environment making the family the real focus of the photo.
white and denim.
get the look:
Cuteness overload! This look is casual yet still perfect for a laid-back spring family photo. Mom and her little one are in matching denim jackets with white dresses underneath.
This is perfect because it adds an extra layer in case the weather is chilly. However, you can easily lose the denim jackets for a few pictures if you want to look a little more formal in just dresses.
For dad or other siblings in the photo we would recommend neutral sweaters and a combination of jeans or chino pants.
a touch of animal print.
get the look:
This family photo session outfit combination could work for spring, late summer, or early fall. We love the subtle leopard print midi skirt on mom paired with an ivory knit sweeter and brown ankle booties. The dad is in neutral chino pants and a knit sweater which is nice and subtle.
The little girls are wearing mostly neutrals but we love the little pop of color in the girls sweater that plays off the mom’s midi skirt.
creamy neutrals.
Photographer Jessica Haderlie does the most amazing “motherhood” family photoshoots and we are here for them! This mother and daughters group looks fantastic in neutral colors, and mom stands out in a simple maxi dress with subtle color tones.
Family photo outfits do not have to be complicated. White, ivory, cream, and tan always look stunning on everyone and a touch of minimal patterns can add interest to the photos without overwhelming them.
feminine and floral.
get the look:
Having gorgeous family photos like these to look back on throughout the years is so special!
We are in love with the beautiful flowers as a prop here. It instantly gives these photos a springtime feel and is a great way to show off your ultrasound photos! The crochet floral details on the daughter’s dress are also perfect for this season, and it has a cute and girly aesthetic that matches the whimsical, feminine vibes of Mom’s dress.
You can dress Dad in neutral tones and put other children in florals, striped pieces, or ruffled dresses for a cohesive look.
Summer Family Photoshoot Outfits
There’s no better way to celebrate the beautiful memories made in summer than by capturing them in photos, and these lovely family photo outfit ideas will help you stay cool while doing so.
pinks and blues.
get the look:
Sweet and summery, this family photo outfit combination is absolutely perfect. In other words, we totally love the pink and blush tones on the girls with their pretty dresses. The pink color tones compliment the wildflowers so well, and we love that there are simple, subtle patterns – nothing overwhelming.
The boys look great in light blue tones and the outfits are casual but still formal enough for pictures with the collared shirts.
neutral perfection.
get the look:
Neutrals done right. This outfit combination is perfect for summer with the mom and dad in creamy neutrals and the little one in a subtle floral pattern dress.
We love how the light toned outfits pop against the green background and the little bits of color brought in from the fruit and flowers.
breezy whites and sandals.
Take a trip to the beach for your summer family photoshoot! This beachy family photo is so precious from the neutrals, to the coastal blues, all the way to the Birkenstock sandals.
The kids and dad are wearing effortless neutral clothing in laid back styles – romper, shorts, t-shirts. And, mom is in a pretty blouse and skirt combo.
blush and patterns.
get the look:
Can we just pause for a moment to appreciate how incredibly cute this little one is?! Oh my!
This family outfit is interesting but it totally works. Baby is in a striped white romper with the cutest brown shoes that match the dad’s shoes. Dad is wearing dark tones but has a dotted green shirt that plays off the color in the little girls romper. Mom is in a simple blush dress and sandals.
The greens and blush make for a great summer outfit combination and we are here for it!
coastal chic.
get the look:
The beach and summer go hand in hand, making this peaceful spot the perfect place for summer family photos!
A beautiful, breezy midi dress is a must if you’ll be walking down the shore hand in hand with your loved ones. Choose a sleeveless dress like the one above to stay cool, and opt for a linen dress for ultimate comfort in the summer heat.
We love the matching looks between Mama and baby, and dressing Dad in white pieces helps tie it all together.
Fall Family Photography Outfits
The changing leaves in fall are always so breathtaking, but the chic and cozy outfits below will ensure that you and your family are the center of attention in your fall family photos!
fedoras and wool.
get the look:
This mother daughter photo stopped us dead in our tracks. It’s unexpected, but so precious and the outfits work wonderfully for a laid-back, casual fall photoshoot. Not to mention it’s totally giving matching mom + mini vibes.
The wool fedora hats and neutral shirt jackets look great on these two paired with simple denim jeans. For a casual family combo we’d put dad in jeans and a neutral knit sweater, and other siblings in the same.
moody florals.
get the look:
We love the moody hues in this beautiful family photo. The deep floral dress on mom is perfect for the fall season in September or October, and combines so well with the dark tones on dad.
Baby is wearing dark mustard color pants (another great fall tone) with a light ivory sweater to bring a pop of brightness to the overall dark look.
Stunning!
subtle fall tones.
get the look:
This family photo combines gorgeous fall color tones – brown, rust, and deep green – with lightweight clothing choices that work when the weather is still mild in early autumn.
The maxi dress on mom is super feminine and pretty and contrast perfectly with the dark shades on Dad. The little one wears a super cute rust color knit sweater with cream pants and a little pair of neutral mocs.
This is definitely one of our favorite family photo outfit ideas on the list!
laid-back denim.
Laid-back and casual done right! We love, love, love this family photo outfit idea for something that feels super relaxed and fun. Also you can totally tell this family enjoys the outdoors and likes to live an adventurous and casual life.
When we say family photos have become a lot more casual and candid these days, this is what we mean. Stuffy portrait studios are out, and wearing what’s true to you and your family is in!
cozy and casual.
get the look:
There’s no better time than fall to break out your favorite sweater! Pair it with jeans and ankle booties for an effortless look that’s cozy and comfortable enough to spend a couple of hours in.
Choosing pieces in neutral colors is also an easy way to give your outfit a timeless and elegant look, even if you’re wearing casual clothes. And using the same neutral color palette for all of the outfits elevates the whole aesthetic of your family photos.
Winter Family Picture Outfit Ideas
Winter offers up stunning backgrounds for photo sessions, but you definitely want to dress appropriately for the season. These family photo outfit ideas will help you look gorgeous while staying warm during your family photos!
wool coats and denim.
get the look:
When the weather gets chilly you can still get outside for a family photo! We love the look above with the Mom and Dad in matching rust brown wool coats, denim, and boots. The little one is so cute in a green winter jacket and cream color shearling pants.
It’s warm, cozy, and a perfect family photo outfit idea for the winter months.
winter whites.
get the look:
Creamy ivory and white works perfectly in this family photo against a white backdrop. Particularly a snowy winter backdrop!
The mom looks stunning in a knit sweater, midi skirt and wool fedora. And, the dad looks great in a white sweater and jeans. The little bambino is in a mix of neutral shades like tan, ivory, and cream to tie the whole look together.
Also, don’t worry about wearing white tones and getting “washed out” in photos. In this case, if your photographer knows what they are doing (as they should!), they will be able to make the neutrals work perfectly!
black on black.
Opposite of the previous family photo outfit, this look is all black and it totally works! Especially if you want to take your photo session indoors in the winter. We love the idea of monochromatic black outfits against a light and airy backdrop.
Here both mom and dad are in black denim and nice tops, with bare feet which gives a relaxed vibe to the photoshoot. The color tones work perfectly for the winter season, and they would work great outdoors in a snowy environment too.
get the look:
ivory and browns.
Lastly, if you live where it doesn’t really snow in the winter, you can definitely try an outfit combination like this. There vibe is moody with a mix of dark and light neutrals.
We love how the mom is in a light outfit while the boys are in darker tones as it creates a beautiful contrast. Also, a silk maxi slip dress adds elegance but the cardigan and fedora keep the look more laid-back.
stylish in snow.
get the look:
You don’t have to put style on the back burner to stay warm in a snowy setting. Layering the right pieces will keep you toasty during winter family photos without looking too bulky.
A knit sweater dress is sleek and chic, and a shirt jacket adds a warm layer while letting your style show through. And you can bundle your babies up in fashionable coats and cute winter beanies for a cute aesthetic.
Of course, a neutral palette also helps to create a sophisticated look, so choose shades like ivory, taupe, camel, beige, and black for your cold-weather family photoshoot.
Family Photo Outfit Tips
Here are some extra tips to help your photoshoot go smoothly and get the best pictures!
- Give your clothing a good steam or iron before the session. Otherwise, wrinkles can show in photos and they can end up appearing sloppy.
- Do not wear a hat at the start of the photoshoot. If you plan to wear a hat for some of your photos, bring the hat along and get photos without it first, then with it at the end of the photoshoot. This way you don’t end up with flat hat hair!
- Dress for the weather because there’s nothing worse than being too cold or too hot (or having little ones who are uncomfortable) during a photoshoot.
- Watch out for rogue bra straps because one thing you will never regret is making sure your bra straps are secure before a photoshoot.
- Avoid high heels/pumps in grassy locations unless you will be on a solid or concrete ground the whole time. Pumps with pointy heels almost always get stuck in grassy areas or soft ground. In this case go for block heels, wedges, or flats.
We hope you have enjoyed this list of family photo outfit ideas! Have fun with it and be sure to pin the photo below to save this post for later!
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More Photoshoot Outfit Ideas You’ll Love:
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Summer Family Photo Outfits: 15+ Perfect Looks To Inspire You!
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Christal Sczebel is an entrepreneur, published author, and content creator. Over the past decade she has worked in the digital media field building successful websites for both food and fashion. She has a natural affinity for minimal, timeless fashion, neutral home decor, and styling.
Here on Style Your Occasion, Christal is the Editor-in-chief and brain behind the aesthetic. She hopes you love the this space and the inspiration you’ll find!
