Choosing the right outfits can make a real difference — not just to the look of your photos, but to the flow and enjoyment of your session. Family photoshoots are an investment of time, love, and energy, so a little planning goes a long way. Here are some tips to help you choose outfits that look beautiful and feel effortless:
Comfort Comes First
It’s tempting to wear something sparkly, new, or “special occasion” ready, but comfort is key. You’ll move, lift, sit, and play — so pick outfits that allow you to do all of that without constant adjustment.
Mums:
- Choose clothing that hugs in the right places but allows freedom of movement.
- Consider the length for sitting, lifting children, or playful poses.
- Flowy dresses, soft knits, or tops you already love often work best.
Dads:
- Opt for comfortable shirts that move easily when lifting children.
- Weekend-style casual shirts, soft fabrics, or collar-less tops work well.
- Avoid overly formal shirts that crease, ride up, or feel restrictive.
Babies & Toddlers:
- Outfits that stay in place are a lifesaver — think rompers, overalls, or all-in-one outfits.
- Nappy covers or bloomers under dresses and skirts help prevent wardrobe mishaps.
- Avoid too many ruffles, puffy sleeves, or collars that can cover little faces.
- The less adjusting we need to do, the more spontaneous, playful, and natural your photos will feel.
The Big Picture
When everyone is comfortable, confident, and dressed thoughtfully, your session flows naturally — less fuss, more laughter, and authentic connection. The result? Beautiful, timeless photographs you’ll treasure for years.
Dress for the Location and Season
Choosing outfits that suit your environment and the time of year will make your session more comfortable and enjoyable — and your photos will look effortlessly natural.
- Cold weather: Layer up! Cozy sweaters, scarves, and jackets not only keep you warm but can add texture and dimension to your photos.
- Beach or outdoor locations: Skip the heels and opt for shoes that allow you to walk comfortably on sand, grass, or uneven terrain. Barefoot can also look beautiful for relaxed, natural shots.
- Lots of walking or exploring: Comfortable footwear is key — you’ll be able to move, lift, and play without worry.
- In-home sessions: Casual, comfy clothing often feels more natural than formal wear, and it helps capture the relaxed, authentic moments of your family in their own space.
When your outfits match your surroundings, it allows everyone to relax and enjoy the session — and the result is photos that feel effortless, authentic, and timeless.
Choosing Colours for Your Family Photoshoot
The colours you wear can truly enhance your family photos — helping the images feel timeless, cohesive, and natural. When selecting outfits, think about your location, the season, and where you might display your photos (like on the walls of your home).
Tips for a timeless colour palette:
- Earthy and natural tones: Soft neutrals, creams, beiges, muted greens, and gentle blues work beautifully in any setting.
- Subtle prints: Small, understated patterns can add interest without distracting from the focus — your family.
- Limit your palette: For families, sticking to 3–4 colours usually creates harmony and avoids visual clutter.
How to plan outfits together:
- Start with one person’s outfit — often the parent or the individual whose outfit inspires the colour scheme.
- Build the rest of the family’s outfits to complement that colour.
- Lay everything out together to see how the colours, textures, and patterns work as a whole.
Colour harmony tips:
- Complementary colours: Colours that naturally enhance each other and create visual balance.
- Analogous colours: Colours that sit close together on the colour wheel, creating a soft, cohesive look — think the many shades of green in a forest, or the layered blues of the ocean.
What to avoid:
- Wearing the exact same outfits — this can look unnatural and “uniform-like,” making it hard to distinguish each person in the photo.
- Large bold patterns, neon colours, or logos — these can distract from the connection and emotion in your photos.
- Outfits that clash with your surroundings — aim for harmony between your clothing, your location, and the season.
The goal is to create visual harmony while still allowing each person to shine. A mix of complementary colours, textures, and simple patterns ensures your family photos are timeless, elegant, and effortlessly beautiful.
Incorporate Texture, Movement, and Visual Interest
Adding texture and movement to your outfits can take your family photos from lovely to truly magical. Think linen, lace, corduroy, and soft knits — these fabrics catch light beautifully and add depth and dimension to your images.
Flowy fabrics like dresses or skirts create natural movement. When you walk, spin, or play with your little ones, the material flows with you, adding life and energy to your photos. Soft fabrics also catch sunlight in stunning ways — imagine the glow of the afternoon sun through a flowing dress or the gentle flutter of fabric in the breeze.
Layers and accessories can also add visual interest and versatility:
- Jackets, cardigans, scarves, hats
- Jewellery, hair accessories, or flower crowns
These elements can be added or removed throughout the shoot, giving you a few different looks without needing a full outfit change. Layers and textures also help you adapt to changing weather, keeping your family comfortable and the session running smoothly.
A quick tip: Avoid keeping bulky items like phones, wallets, or keys in your pockets. They can create unintentional bulges or distractions in your photos. We recommend placing them in a bag, which you can leave with me during the session — that way, nothing takes attention away from your family.
Extended Family Photoshoots
For extended family sessions, it’s important that outfits coordinate within smaller family groups while still complementing the larger group as a whole.
Planning your colour palette, textures, and styles carefully ensures that each group looks cohesive on its own, while the full extended family portraits feel balanced, harmonious, and visually beautiful. This thoughtful approach helps create images that feel natural, timeless, and connected across generations.
Get Inspired
Pinterest is a great place to get some ideas for your colour palette and to see what already works well. You can check out some family photoshoot outfits that I have pinned here:
And of course you are very welcome to chat to me about ideas, send through some pics and ask for suggestions. You are also very welcome to bring a couple of outfit options so we can see which would work best on the day.
I hope this guide has helped you, I can’t wait to see you and your family at your photo shoot.