What to Wear for Family Pictures in Dallas Fort Worth | DFW Family Photographer
All the outfit ideas you need for your next family photoshoot
Updated December 16, 2022
One of the most commons questions I get as a family photographer is regarding what to wear for family pictures. After booking, it’s common for clients to ask for family photoshoot outfit ideas. To this, my reply is always the same: how you style your family for your session is, ultimately, completely up to you. Wear what makes you feel good, confident, and comfortable.I offer personalized styling support from the time you book until the date of your session. When deciding what to wear for family photos, there are a few things to consider:
Coordination:
If achieving that cohesive, cinematic gallery is your ultimate goal, then correlating your family photoshoot outfits will make a world of difference in the harmony of your final gallery. A tip I often give families and couples is to shop for their outfits at the same store. Doing so gives a sense of unity to the final images. If you trust what’s already in your closets, then I’d recommend choosing pieces with a similar mood, taste, or personality.
Consider the overall style of the photo shoot and choose outfits that reflect that style. For example, if you are going for a formal look, you may want to wear dresses or dress pants and a button-down shirt. If you are going for a more casual look, jeans and a t-shirt may be more suitable. It can be helpful to coordinate your outfits rather than trying to match them exactly. This can create a cohesive look without being too matchy-matchy. Consider choosing a color palette or a few coordinating patterns and sticking to those throughout the group.
2. Create a Family Photoshoot outfit color palette:
For family portrait sessions, I recommend families decide on a simple color palette when coming up with family photoshoot outfit ideas. Whites, neutrals, and soft solid colors will look elegant in any location. Generally speaking, family photographers tend to favor neutral and understated tones for the sole reason that they are easier to coordinate. Bolds patterns and bold colors may more difficult to coordinate with your family photoshoot outfits, and therefore may distract from your family pictures. For family photographers, this is less about avoiding colors and more about controlling chaos; no patterns means no risk of conflict or clashing.
For those choosing to go down the color road - I commend you. For families still wondering what to wear for family pictures, I recommend the following color combos to ensure that colors contribute to the overall concert of the collection, rather than take away from it.
Greens and yellows (for bright, vibrant, and clean).
Tan and Maroon (for warm, earthy, and confident).
Blue and Pink (for sweet, charming, and fun).
White and Anything (What’s your favorite color? Perfect! Add white.)
4. Comfort:
When planning your outfits for a family photoshoot, it's important to strike a balance between comfort and style. It's important to feel comfortable in what you are wearing, as you will be posing for photos and potentially standing for a while. Here are a few tips for wearing comfortable and stylish outfits for a family photoshoot:
Choose comfortable fabrics: Look for fabrics that are breathable and soft, such as cotton, linen, or rayon. Avoid clothing that is too tight or restrictive, as you will be posing for photos and potentially standing for a while.
Layer your outfits: Layering can add interest to your outfits and allow you to adjust your clothing as needed for comfort. Choose lightweight layers that can be easily added or removed, such as cardigans, jackets, or scarves.
Accessorize: Accessorizing can add personality and style to your outfits without sacrificing comfort. Consider adding statement pieces such as a hat, scarf, or necklace, or choose comfortable shoes such as sneakers or boots.
Avoid clothing that is too tight or restrictive, and choose fabrics that are breathable and comfortable.
5. match your family photoshoot outfits with the location:
Consider the location of the photo shoot and choose outfits that will be appropriate for that setting. For example, if you are having a beach photo shoot, you may want to wear lightweight, summery clothes, while if you are having a photo shoot in the mountains, you may want to wear layers and warm clothing. Whether your family photoshoot is outdoors, in studio, or downtown, the location sets the tone for the entire photoshoot, and will therefore have an influence on your wardrobe. While each session is unique and there’s no such thing as universal advice, there are a handful of guidelines to consider when styling for an outdoor, urban, or studio session.
For outdoor sessions, consider how your family photoshoot outfit will look against the natural landscape. In my experience, the best outdoor family photoshoots create a natural, unposed, effortless feel, and this can be emphasized by equally relaxed, lively, spirited outfits. If you’ve booked a session in an urban setting, you’re in luck: an urban setting provides the perfect backdrop for any of your favorite family photoshoot outfits. What to wear for family pictures in a studio session is equally dependent on the type of studio you’ll be shooting in. Typically, neutral tones and clean patterns photograph well in most studios.
6. Personal preference:
Ultimately, what you wear for family photos is a matter of personal preference. Choose outfits that you feel good in and that reflect your family's personality and style. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. Don't be afraid to express your personal style and have fun with your outfits!
