What to Wear For Spring Family Photos | DFW Family Photographer
All The Spring Family Photo Outfits Ideas You Need for Your Family Photoshoot
UPDATED MARCH 2023
It’s spring! It’s that time of the year when the weather turns gently warm, and the earth thaws out. Flowers bloom, birds chirp among the fresh new leaves that appear on bare tree branches, and butterflies flutter among cherry blossoms and tulips. It’s the perfect time of the year to make lovely memories with gorgeous family photos. What you wear for your family spring photoshoot is as essential as everything else – the lighting, location, props, and composition. Have you turned your wardrobe upside down? Are you still looking for spring family picture outfit ideas, or wondering, “how should I dress for spring pictures?” This guide on what to wear for spring family photos will help your family and you dress right.
CHOOSING OUTFITS FOR SPRING FAMILY PHOTOS
Deciding what outfits your family will wear to your family photoshoot is often one of the most exciting parts of preparing for your session. The aim of clothes in a photo shoot is not to attract attention (unless it’s a fashion photoshoot). Instead, it should make you look better and lend itself to a gorgeous portrait. There are several factors to consider when choosing what to wear for spring family photos. Here’s a guide to help your family and you dress your best for your family photos.
COORDINATE WITHOUT “MATCHING”
Family portraits with everyone in white tops and blue jeans were fashionable two decades ago, but not anymore. Dressing up identically is not the way to go If you want to show off each member of your family’s unique personality and style. Rather than matching your outfits, coordinate. That means:
Choose colors that go well together.
For example, each family member can wear colors that coordinate rather than having everyone in blue.
Even as you coordinate colors, avoid going overboard with the number of colors you choose.
Stick to two to four colors that go well together, and then mix these with complementing neutrals. Then, choose textures, patterns, and clothing styles/types within that color palette.
Dress for the same occasion.
For example, the entire family dresses formally or informally – and not a combination.
Dress for the same weather.
For example, if the family is dressed in shorts or skirts for spring. Then, you can’t have a family member stand out with a coat or sweater, as that would throw the entire picture off balance.
COMFORT SHOULD COME BEFOFRE STYLE
Spring family photos are meant to be fun – and nothing takes away fun like uncomfortable clothing. As long as you are comfortable with what you are wearing, you can be sure you will have fun. Here are some ways to choose comfortable clothing and shoes:
Choose comfortable clothes that do not poke or scratch the skin. Cotton is one such material.
Avoid materials that cling to the body as they tend to hug the most unflattering areas of the body. Fabrics like polyester, silk, and rayon stick to the body and can add folds where you don’t want folds to be seen.
Avoid shiny materials that attract more light, and in doing so, draw the eye to areas you don’t want people to see. Instead, opt for matte fabrics.
COLORS IDEAS FOR SPRING FAMILY PHOTOS
Neutrals
Neutrals are a safe bet – not only do they mix well together, but they look better than bright colors in photographs. They will continue to look elegant and timeless even decades from now. But avoid going completely neutral – don’t be afraid to add a bit of color.
Earth tones
Earthy tones are fantastic for spring pictures. Think shades of brown and tans, rust, sage, forest greens, muted mustard, rust, and muted rose. Ivory, beige, terra cotta, taupe, brown gray, other shades of gray, and other muted, flat colors are excellent.
COLORS TO AVOID FOR SPRNG FAMILY PHOTOS
Bright, saturated colors
Avoid bright and bold colors that lose their appeal as fashions change. You don’t want to be looking at these pictures a decade from now, thinking, “How outdated, unfashionable, bygone, and primitive those clothes look!” I will say, deep jewel tones are pleasing if they are only on one or two family members.
Black on black
Unfortunately, dressing the entire family in black to make everyone seem slimmer does not work with photos. Black is also not a great choice for spring family photos.
Super bright whites
Bright whites can work, although this is a hit-and-miss - It depends on the background colors. For example, white fabrics can make your skin look a bit washed out if you are taking photos on a lawn or a green field. Having said that, it can be done if you are keen on wearing whites for your spring family portrait.
Still unsure about how to choose that perfect color combination for your entire family? Here are some more tips:
Pick one outfit you must include in your family portrait, and choose colors that coordinate well with the colors of that outfit.
Pick colors that complement your skin tone. Check the color of the veins on the underside of your wrist. If they appear blue, you have a cool skin tone. If the veins appear greenish or olive, then you have a warm skin tone. Those with blue-green or even purplish veins have a neutral skin tone.
Avoid neons.
Adults should avoid white – unless this is a wedding/spring photoshoot. If you want to add white to your photoshoot, let it be on the children – little girls do exceptionally well in white sundresses. A cream or white sweater is acceptable for a woman.
Some colors for spring family photo outfits 2023 are pale peach, mint green, cream, light gray, soft yellow, blush pink, baby blue, lavender, and spring green.
DOES THE COLOR PALETTE MATTER FOR BLACK & WHITE PHOTOS?
Yes, colors do matter. When images are rendered in black and white, the colors take on shades of gray, ranging from a solid white to the deepest and darkest black. Here are some tips for black-and-white spring family photos:
Avoid wearing black and white clothes.
Contrast is critical. If your background is dark, wear light-colored clothes and vice versa.
Concentrate on texture rather than on patterns. A textured solid dress looks better than a busy pattern.
Choose clothes for individual family members that lightly contrast with their skin tones.
Avoid wearing the same colors and styles for family photos. At the same time, the colors worn by individual members should not conflict with the rest of the group.
PATTERNS, PLAINS, LAYERS, &TEXTURE
Solids are excellent, but that does not mean you can’t have patterns in your spring family portrait. If you want to go with patterns – plaid, stripes, or florals - make sure they aren’t so bold they steal the show.
TIPS ON mixing patterns:
Avoid small patterns in dark colors against light colors they can distract from the rest of the photo.
Avoid thin stripes, as they don’t look as great in photos as they do in real life. Thin stripes can work if they are placed far apart.
Plaid is fine as long it is on one person and not the entire family.
Subtle shapes, florals, and wide stripes look fantastic in photographs.
As for layers and textures, they work very well in spring family portraits. Layers add dimension and are flattering. Textures can add a lot of interest to your spring family photos. Unlike patterns, you can have loads of textures in your photographs. If you are wondering what to wear for spring family photos and how to incorporate texture, consider playing around with several textures. If one family member wears a smooth dress, another could wear a textured jacket. Frills work well on little girls, and chunky knits are excellent for adults. Other textures to incorporate are corduroy, chambray, lace, crepe fabrics, velvet, swiss dots, and even waffle cloth.
INCORPORATING INDIVIDUAL STYLES
Every family member is unique, and you want each member's personality to shine through in your spring family photos. One way to do that is to incorporate individual styles while staying coordinated. As hard as that sounds, it is possible. Here’s one way to do that:
Choose an outfit someone will wear, and then choose the other outfits built around that. For example, let's say the mother decides to wear a floral print dress. The rest of the family can choose to dress in colors from that dress while playing around with textures and patterns.
SPRING FAMILY PHOTO OUTFIT IDEAS FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER
If you still can’t make up your mind on what to wear, here’s a list of spring family photo outfits 2023 that you can draw inspiration from:
For mothers and women:
Floral print wrap maxi skirt
Flowy lace dress
Off-shoulder maxi dress
Boho wrap dress
Backless maxi dress
Tunic dress
Off-shoulder ruffle dress
Maternity off-shoulder maxi dress
Tunic dress
For fathers and men:
Short sleeve button down shirt
Short sleeve polo
For children:
Bell sleeve dress (for girls)
Cold shoulder denim dress (for girls)
Flowy dresses with ruffles (for girls)
Short sleeve button down shirt (for boys)
Long sleeve button down chambray shirt (for boys)
For babies:
Unisex jumpsuit
Cable-knit pullover sweater
Rompers
Additional help with dressing up babies and children for spring family pictures
Avoid short dresses for girls as they tend to ride up. Long flowy dresses are lovely on little girls.
Neutral undergarments are a must. For babies and toddlers, choose a neutral bloomer to cover up diapers.
Carry a neural swaddle blanket or a newborn lounger/boppy pillow for babies who cannot sit or support themselves.
Whatever it is with getting the adults in your family ready for a spring family photoshoot, it’s far worse getting children and babies ready. It’s hard to keep children neat through a long photo shoot, so carry extra outfits.
Children can sense and pick up the excitement and tension you bring into a photo shoot, making them nervous and even uncooperative. Carry a couple of familiar toys that can help soothe them and make the entire shoot fun for the entire family.
Photoshoots move quickly, and you won’t have time to change your children. Consider layering their clothes so you can easily change a look. That is much easier than carrying out several changes.
Children are not big fans of accessories and would rather play with them than wear them – or even hide their faces behind a hat to avoid the camera.
Want to learn more? Check out my other blog posts on styling for your family photoshoot!
What to wear to your family photoshoot
WHAT TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING YOUR SPRING FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT OUTFITS
While we tackle what to wear for spring family photos, it’s also important to mention what not to wear.
Here’S WHAT TO AVOID in your spring family photos:
Snacks, gum, water bottles
Velcro sandals, skate shoes, and running shoes
Phones, wallets, and anything else you might have in your pockets.
Any sports watch or activity tracker, including Apple watches and Garmins.
Hair clips, hair ties, and scrunchies that you will not be wearing for the photoshoot
Loose, unfitted t-shirts, sports tops, and any clothing that does not fit well
Short dresses that ride up and be inappropriate for pictures where you will be sitting on the ground
Clothes with logos/graphics – they might not be something you want to look back on years from now
Any hat or cap as they leave a shadow over your eyes and an unsightly ring around your forehead
Sleeveless tops and halter tops. The exposed parts of our body are often darker than the unexposed parts – like our back and arms. The difference is quite evident and distracting in photographs.
Cargo pants and hoodies.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR PET WEAR FOR YOUR SPRING FAMILY PHOTOS?
Your pet is a part of your family and should be included in your spring family photos. While you don’t have to worry about what they must wear, ensure they are groomed – bathed, and brushed. It’s best to treat them for pests like fleas or ticks well before the photo shoot to minimize discomfort and scratching. Carry along basics – food, water, poop bags, a brush, and a hand towel in case they get wet or dirty.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SPRING FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT OUTFITS
So there you have it – all the critical and essential tips and tricks to answer the question: How should I dress for spring pictures? Clothes do make a man - or family in this case. But it’s the quality time you spend together, the memories you create, and the love you share that will be captured – one picture at a time.
Want to learn more? Check out my other blog posts on styling for your family photoshoot!
What to wear to your family photoshoot
