What to Wear for Family Photos: A Style Guide for Timeless Portraits

One of the most common questions I get from clients is, “What should we wear for our family photos?” The answer is: what you wear matters—a lot! Outfits play a key role in how your images look, feel, and age over time. As part of my full-service photography experience, I guide every family through styling to make sure everyone looks and feels amazing. This way, the session day is stress-free and you can actually ENJOY it!

Whether you’re planning a sunset beach session in Carlsbad or a golden hour session at one of San Diego’s dreamy fields, I’m here to help you style your family with ease and confidence.

 

 

Why Wardrobe Matters for Your Family Session

Your clothing choices affect the entire vibe of your session—color palette, mood, cohesion, and even how the light plays in your final images. That’s why I personally help each client coordinate outfits that complement the location, season, and your home’s décor (especially important when you hang your portraits as artwork!).

 

How I Help You Choose Outfits

To take the stress out of styling, I offer:

• A personalized style consultation – where we walk through each family member’s options together.
• Access to my Client Style Software – a curated selection of outfit options for each member of your family. You can use it as inspiration for clothing you already have OR you can purchase straight from your family’s style dashboard.
• Borrow from my client closet – A few beautiful dresses are available to my clients for their session. You can see what is available in your size using the Client Style Software.
• Ongoing feedback – I’m just a text away if you want to send photos of potential outfits! We could even arrange a try-on consultation a week or two before your session to make sure you have everything just right.

You can also watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at how I guide my clients through styling their session.

Wardrobe Tips for Family Photos

Here are a few core principles I always recommend when choosing what to wear:

1. Stick to a Soft, Neutral Color Palette

Creams, beige, soft pastels, dusty blues, muted greens, and warm earth tones tend to photograph beautifully and stand the test of time. These tones also let your family’s connection and emotions take center stage—rather than the clothes.

2. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Gone are the days of everyone in jeans and white shirts. Instead, think about selecting a color palette (3–4 complementary tones), and then mixing textures and layers within that palette.

3. Dress It Up (Just a Bit)

Your family photos ARE a celebration. Go a step above your everyday wear—flowy dresses, linen shirts, and polished details elevate the final look without feeling stuffy.

4. Say Yes to Texture & Movement

Think linen, knits, cotton gauze, ruffles, buttons, or lace. These details add beautiful depth to your photos. Long dresses and skirts add lovely movement, especially if we’re shooting near the ocean or in a breezy location.

5. Avoid Loud Patterns and Logos

Busy prints, neon colors, and brand logos can date your images or distract from your faces. If you want a pattern, go for subtle florals that fit your color palette.

 

What Each Family Member Should Wear

Here’s a quick breakdown by family member:

Mom

Flowy midi or maxi dresses photograph beautifully. Choose something that makes you feel confident, feminine, and comfortable. Long sleeves or flutter sleeves add elegance without being fussy.

Dad

Stick to simple, tailored pieces. A henley or button-up shirt with chinos or dressy jeans works great. Soft textures like linen or cotton photograph best.

Kids

Comfort is key. For girls, dresses or rompers in soft materials are perfect. For boys, polos, short-sleeve button-ups, or simple t-shirts paired with shorts or pants (depending on the weather) work well.

Babies & Toddlers

Keep it simple with solid colors or gentle prints. Bare feet and soft textures (like cotton or muslin) are adorable and timeless.

Bonus Tips

• Plan Ahead – Lay everything out in advance and try it on together at least a week before your session.
• Keep Your Home in Mind – If you’re planning to display your portraits, choose colors that complement your home’s interior design.
• Accessories & Layers – A hat, scarf, or layered sweater can add extra visual interest—and options if the weather shifts.
• Don’t forget about the location – Keep the location in mind. Spring and fall can be breezy down by the ocean so even though the kiddos are fine in short sleeves at home, bring a cardigan or cute sweater to layer if they get cold. Cozy kiddos are happy kiddos!

 

Need Help? I’ve Got You Covered

Still feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry—styling is one of my favorite parts of the process. Every client receives hands-on wardrobe guidance as part of their experience. I’ll help you narrow down choices, send personalized suggestions, and make sure everyone looks incredible.

Ready to create stunning, true-to-life portraits that feel like you? Let’s make wardrobe one less thing to worry about.

Contact me today to start planning your luxury family photography session in Carlsbad or anywhere in beautiful San Diego County.

 

Want to learn more about the portrait making process? In this blog post I share how I aim to make your experience, from start to finish, stress-free, ending with gorgeous wall art and albums that you’ll treasure forever! Click below to check it out.