Outfit ideas for family pictures are easier than you think!

I LOVE helping clients decide outfit ideas for family pictures. After a long, hot, dry summer, fall is a great time to feel refreshed and renewed. It is one of the BEST times to take family pictures. In my opinion, fall clothing is one of the easier seasons  for planning wardrobes for family pictures.  There are an abundance of choices for jewel tone colors,  earthy colors, and cozy soft textures.  The parks and green space areas around town are perking up with vibrant golds, greens, and dapples of red and yellow, making a wonderful backdrop for family images. 

With an array of light to vibrant colors, soft fabrics with movement, and the ability to layer light weight textures these simple details combine together to create an amazing outfit for everyone in the family. However, I still want you to feel like yourself. Let’s take a look at some outfit ideas for family pictures that I have found helpful in guiding families with their wardrobe choices.  Here are my top 5 suggestions for dressing for deciding outfit ideas for family pictures.

ONE: Consider your location

Before planning your outfit, keep in mind where your session will be located. Will you be at home? Will you be outdoors in a field or at a park? Will you be in a studio?  If your session is in your home, you should consider dressing in a way that compliments your home’s interior. If you will be outside at a field, you need to consider being able to move freely in your outfits and have comfortable shoes. Finally, if you are in a studio, your clothing choices will be front and center and attention to detail will matter.

TWO:   Start with mom’s outfit.

Just creating a starting point can be daunting. That’s why I always say, start with mom’s outfit. It is the building block of your color scheme. Women’s clothing, or girls’ clothing tends to have more variety than men’s. There are more opportunities to choose a dress that you love the color or print. 

Yes, I absolutely prefer it when moms wear dresses. It’s a one and done choice. Also, the right dress is extremely flattering on your figure. If you do not like to wear dresses, or they don’t make you feel like yourself,  then it’s ok to consider jeans or pants. You will want to make sure the jeans do not have holes, nor are they ‘too trendy.’ Pairing jeans with a feminine top looks great. Look for tops with details such as embroidery, pleating, or a subtle print. 

 THREE:   Choosing a color Palette

Choose 2-3 coordinating colors for your color palette. I personally prefer muted colors because it allows your faces and interactions with your family members to be the first thing noticed in your images, instead of bold bright colors. However, some moms LOVE bold colors. If that is true for you, use your bold colors in moderation. If your dress has a bold pattern, bring in complementing colors and textures to balance the bold look. 

FOUR:    Coordinate your outfits, do not match.

Avoid everyone wearing the same color. If you want to match with your daughter, dress her in a coordinating print or stripe that compliments the colors in your dress. If you want your son to match your husband, use your husband’s shirt color to accent your son’s shirt or bottoms. A plaid is a great way to accomplish this. If everyone dresses in the same color or pattern, individuals get lost in the group images. You want to be able to see your children’s unique features and see how they have grown since their previous family picture. Those details are less noticeable if everyone looks the same.

FIVE:    Use layers and accessories to act like icing on the cake.

Yes, I love when moms use accessories to ‘dress up’ their outfits. Subtle jewelry, belts for little boys, simple hair accessories for young girls all look fantastic. A solid cardigan that has a hint of texture looks great as well. The most important thing to remember about accessories is not to over do your look. When looking back at your images, sometimes accessories can date your look…hello bubble necklaces.  Classic hoops, simple necklaces, and smaller size hair accessories are best.

In the end, I want you to feel great about your outfit and be comfortable in your outfit. During your family session you will be moving and playing with your children. These photos are a reflection of you and your family. Please take some time and plan your outfits for family pictures. If shopping is not your favorite thing, let me help you! Below you will find just a few stores that I have discovered several favorites items for outfit ideas for family pictures.

Finally, all full and newborn session clients have access to a styling website called Style and Select. It’s a great website that helps you coordinate your family’s outfits. After you complete a short style quiz, you are given several options for family clothing along with where to purchase the items. Interested in learning more about my family sessions? Check out my inquiry form here!

TARGET:  kids outfits

OLD NAVY:outfits for everyone

FREE PEOPLE: dresses for mom

AMAZON: dresses for moms and girls

BALTIC BORN: dresses for mom

VICI:dresses for mom

ZARA: everyone

H &M: kids

J. CREW: everyone

HALE HOUSE: dresses or tops for mom

REMIE GIRL: dresses for girls

NOTHING FITS BUT…: outfits for moms and infants