A joyful family with a toddler celebrating Christmas indoors, with the mother kissing the child's cheek and the father smiling broadly in a cozy, festive room with a white Christmas tree illuminated by soft lights.

Family photos are a great way to capture precious memories and celebrate your loved ones. But choosing the right outfits for your family photos can be a daunting task. You want to look your best, coordinate with each other, and reflect your personal style. How do you achieve all that without spending hours shopping and stressing?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share with you 07 tips to choose the perfect outfits for your family photos, based on our experience and research. Whether you’re planning a fall foliage shoot, a cozy indoor session, or a sunny outdoor adventure, these tips will help you create stunning photos that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Tip 01: Start Thinking About What to Wear Early

Outdoor family fun captured with a young, trendy family playing soccer in a grassy field; the mother cheering on her toddler and the father ready to kick the ball, encapsulating a moment of active, healthy family life.

The more time you allow yourself to plan your outfits, the less stressed you’ll be. You don’t want to scramble at the last minute and end up wearing something you’re not happy with. Start thinking about what to wear at least a few weeks before your scheduled photo session. This will give you enough time to shop around, try on different options, and make any adjustments if needed.


Tip 02: Choose Coordinating Colors, Not Matching

A happy, modern family in a shopping mall during the holiday season; a stylish, young couple with their daughter on the father's shoulders, all smiling for a selfie with twinkling festive lights in the background.

One of the most common mistakes people make when choosing outfits for family photos is wearing matching colors. While this may seem like a good idea, it can actually make your photos look boring and unnatural. Instead of matching, choose coordinating colors that complement each other and create a harmonious look.

A good way to choose coordinating colors is to use a color palette as a guide. You can find many color palette ideas online, or create your own using tools like Coolors or Adobe Color. A color palette usually consists of 3-5 colors that work well together. You can choose one main color and use the others as accents, or mix and match them as you like.

Some popular color schemes for family photos are:

  • Earth tones: These are colors inspired by nature, such as brown, beige, olive, rust, mustard, sage, and burgundy. They are warm, cozy, and versatile. They work well for any season and location, especially outdoor settings.
  • Jewel tones: These are colors that resemble precious stones, such as ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and turquoise. They are rich, vibrant, and elegant. They work well for fall and winter photos, especially indoors or in urban settings.
  • Pastels: These are colors that have a soft and light appearance, such as pink, lavender, mint, peach, and yellow. They are sweet, romantic, and playful. They work well for spring and summer photos, especially outdoors or in floral settings.

Tip 03: Consider Your Home Decor

"A family Christmas scene featuring a mother, father, and their young child by a snow-frosted Christmas tree, with the parents looking at the child adorably holding an ornament, conveying a warm, intimate holiday moment

Another factor to consider when choosing outfits for family photos is your home decor. After all, you’ll probably want to display your photos in your home or use them for cards and gifts. You want your photos to match the style and mood of your home, not clash with it.

For example, if your home has a modern and minimalist vibe, you may want to choose outfits that are simple and sleek, with neutral colors and clean lines. If your home has a rustic and cozy vibe, you may want to choose outfits that are warm and textured, with earthy colors and patterns.


Tip 04: Keep Location in Mind

A beach outing portrayed with a multicultural family; an African-American mother, a Caucasian father, and their young son laughing together, showcasing a casual, loving family moment by the sea.

The location of your photo session can also influence your outfit choices. You want your outfits to suit the environment and enhance the overall aesthetic of your photos. You also want to be comfortable and appropriate for the weather and terrain.

For example, if you’re taking photos at a beach or lake, you may want to choose outfits that are light and breezy, with blue or white colors and nautical accents. If you’re taking photos at a park or forest, you may want to choose outfits that are casual and comfortable, with green or brown colors and natural fabrics.


Tip 05: Limit Patterns

A traditional family portrait taken outdoors with a mother, father, and two children embracing, all dressed in colorful summer attire, sitting on a park bench, symbolizing a close-knit family enjoying a warm day

Patterns can add some fun and personality to your outfits, but they can also be distracting and overwhelming if used too much. Too many patterns can make your photos look busy and chaotic, and take away from the focus on your faces and expressions.

That’s why it’s best to limit patterns to one or two family members and balance them with solid colors for the rest. You can also choose patterns that are subtle and simple, such as stripes, polka dots, or florals, and avoid patterns that are loud and complex, such as animal prints, geometric shapes, or logos.


Tip 06: Avoid Character Outfits

A simple white T-shirt with a whimsical design of a green dinosaur surrounded by colorful flowers, showcasing a creative and playful print suitable for casual wear or a fun gift.

While your kids may love their favorite cartoon characters or superheroes, they may not be the best choice for family photos. Character outfits can make your photos look dated and cheesy, and take away from the timeless and classic feel you want to achieve.

Instead of character outfits, choose outfits that reflect your kids’ personalities and interests in a more subtle and stylish way. For example, if your kid loves dinosaurs, you can choose a shirt with a small dinosaur print or a dinosaur-shaped necklace. If your kid loves princesses, you can choose a dress with a tulle skirt or a tiara headband.


Tip 07: Shop for Clothing Collections

A family Christmas photo with a mother, father, and two sons wearing Santa hats, and a little girl in a red dress, all lying down on a cozy blanket, in front of a decorated tree with a glowing light backdrop, sharing a moment of festive joy

One of the easiest ways to choose outfits for family photos is to shop for clothing collections. These are collections of clothes that are designed to coordinate with each other, and are often sold by the same brand or store. You can find clothing collections for different seasons, occasions, and themes, and mix and match them to create your own unique look.

Some of the benefits of shopping for clothing collections are:

  • You save time and effort by finding everything you need in one place.
  • You get inspiration and guidance from the curated styles and colors.
  • You get quality and consistency from the same fabric and fit.

Some of the places where you can shop for clothing collections are:

  • Old Navy: This is a great place to find affordable and trendy clothing collections for the whole family. They have a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes, and often offer discounts and deals.
  • H&M: This is another place to find fashionable and budget-friendly clothing collections for the whole family. They have a variety of styles, colors, and sizes, and often collaborate with celebrities and designers.
  • Zara: This is a place to find chic and sophisticated clothing collections for the whole family. They have a range of styles, colors, and sizes, and often feature the latest trends and innovations.

Choosing outfits for family photos can be a fun and rewarding experience if you follow these 07 tips. Remember to start early, choose coordinating colors, consider your home decor, keep location in mind, limit patterns, avoid character outfits, and shop for clothing collections. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create beautiful photos that showcase your family’s style and personality.

FAQ Section: Perfect Outfits for Your Family Photos

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions related to choosing outfits for family photos:

Q: How many outfits should I bring for family photos?

A: It depends on how long your photo session is and how many different looks you want to achieve. Generally speaking, one outfit per family member is enough for a standard photo session of about an hour. However, if you want to change things up or have some backup options in case of spills or stains, you can bring one or two extra outfits per family member.

Q: What shoes should I wear for family photos?

A: Shoes are an important part of your outfit, as they can make or break your look. You want to choose shoes that are comfortable, clean, and match your style. Some tips for choosing shoes for family photos are:

  • Avoid sneakers, flip flops, or crocs, as they can look too casual or childish.
  • Avoid heels, boots, or sandals that are too high or too bulky, as they can make you look unbalanced or uncomfortable.
  • Choose shoes that are neutral or match your color scheme, such as brown, black, navy, or tan.
  • Choose shoes that have some texture or detail, such as leather, suede, lace, or bows.
Q: How do I make my family photos look natural and candid?

A: One of the challenges of taking family photos is making them look natural and candid,

instead of stiff and posed. Some tips for making your family photos look natural and candid are:

  • Choose a photographer that you feel comfortable with and trust their guidance.
  • Choose a location that you enjoy and feel relaxed in.
  • Choose outfits that you love and feel confident in.
  • Have fun and interact with each other during the photo session.
  • Don’t worry about looking perfect or smiling all the time.

Sources:

– [10 Tips to Choose the Perfect Family Photo Outfits in 2022 — Rachelle Welling Photography Blog]

– [7 Tips for Choosing Outfits for Family Pictures – Merrick’s Art]

– [What to Wear for Family Photos | Shutterfly]

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