A family poses together on a beach with tall grass and dunes during golden hour.
A family poses together outdoors in coordinating neutral outfits during autumn with golden trees in the background.
Family portrait at sunset on a peaceful beach with ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
A family enjoying a sunset moment together on a sandy beach with waves and cloudy sky in the background.

What to Wear for Your Family Photo Session: A Simple, Stress-Free Guide


Choosing outfits for your family photos doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a few simple tips and a focus on comfort, movement, and tones that photograph beautifully outdoors, you can create a look that feels cohesive, natural, and true to who you are. Below is a simple guide to help you feel confident and prepared for your session.


Start With Soft Neutrals, Earth Tones or Jewel Tones

Neutrals and earthy tones photograph beautifully because they’re timeless, calming, and let you be the focus. Think: warm earth tones, soft creams, slate blues, muted greens, tans, blushes, warm browns, and soft jewel tones. These tones blend well with Michigan’s natural landscapes—dunes, fields, and shoreline sunsets.


A few color palette ideas:

  • Cream, oatmeal, sage, denim, tan
  • Soft blue, charcoal, taupe/khaki, ivory
  • Dusty rose, beige, warm brown
  • Olive, cream, rust (perfect for fall)


Pro Tip: When in doubt, choose colors you already love wearing. Confidence always photographs well.


Seasonality can also play a factor, as colors can shift beautifully with the seasons:

  • Spring + Summer: soft greens, creams, dusty blues, blush, muted pinks
  • Fall: warm neutrals, and richer colors like rust, burgundy, mustard, or olive.
  • Winter: soft neutrals, darker tones, deep greens, charcoal


Coordinate, Don’t Match

Avoid everyone wearing the same color or matching outfits. Instead, choose one person’s outfit as the anchor, and build the rest around it with complementary tones and textures. Think of it as a collection, not a uniform.


Mix in textures: knit sweaters, gauzy cotton, linen, denim, layers.


Comfort Matters More Than Anything

Your session will involve movement: walking, snuggling, lifting your kids, sitting in the sand or on the ground, exploring the environment, etc. Choose clothing that is weather appropriate and allows you to move naturally and feel comfortable.


Great options:

  • Flowy dresses
  • Simple tops with texture
  • Soft linen button-ups
  • Knit cardigans
  • Comfortable pants (avoid anything too stiff!)


If you feel awkward or restricted, it will show. Prioritize comfort, always.


Patterns Are Okay. Just Keep Them Soft and Minimal

Patterns can add beautiful visual interest when used intentionally. Stick to gentle, minimal patterns that don’t distract from faces and connection.


Patterns that work well:

  • Small floral prints
  • Simple, thin stripes
  • Soft plaids
  • Light textures or embroidery


Patterns to avoid:

  • Loud or busy prints
  • Large logos or graphics
  • Neon or overly saturated colors
  • High-contract patterns that dominate the image
  • Too many conflicting patterns


Your pattern(s) should complement, not overpower, the overall palette.


Dress Kids in Simple, Comfy Clothing

Kids photograph best when they can move, explore, and be themselves.


Great options for children:

  • Soft rompers
  • Knit sweaters
  • Linen or cotton outfits
  • Barefoot at the beach


Try to avoid:

  • Characters or large graphics
  • Bright/neon colors
  • Stiff or scratchy fabrics
  • Shoes that are uncomfortable or brand new


But real talk: sometimes their favorite character shirt is the only thing they are willing to wear, and that’s okay. Happy, comfortable kids make for better photos every single time.


Final Tips for Stress-Free Outfits

  • Lay all outfits out together to make sure the colors and textures flow.
  • Avoid last-minute purchases. Try everything on ahead of time to make sure clothes fit well and feel good.
  • Iron or steam clothing the night before.
  • Bring a backup outfit for little ones (just in case!).
  • Keep accessories simple and natural.



And above all, remember your session is about connection, movement, and storytelling. Not perfection. Your clothing should elevate your experience, not complicate it.