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What to Wear for Spring or Summer Family Photos

Mar 27 2023 | By: Elated Photography

This is the number one question I get as a photographer. And I completely get it! It can be overwhelming to plan outfits for photos, especially for the entire family.

Always Choose Comfort
Nothing makes you appear more uncomfortable in photos than clothing you are actually uncomfortable wearing. This is especially true for kids. My goal is to capture real moments of your life, and if someone is miserable because of clothing, it is really hard for them to be happy or have much fun.

  • Fabrics
    • Choose clothing that you and your kids won’t be pulling on, scratching or readjusting all the time. Cotton is always a comfortable choice and it photographs nicely.
    • Avoid dresses with tulle underskirts for little girls. Instead, choose a cotton dress that twirls, it’s much softer.
    • Shiny doesn’t photograph well. Avoid silk, rayon and shiny polyester. These fabrics cling to problem areas and add folds in places that aren’t flattering. They also catch light, drawing the eye to those places. Matte fabrics are a much more flattering choice.
  • Shoes
    • Be practical. If your family photos are outside, don’t wear heels. You will spend the whole time sinking into the ground. Wedges with a high heel can also become uncomfortable and begin to show in your pictures. Comfy flats are always a great go-to option.
    • Be comfortable. It’s not a good idea to put kids in new, stiff shoes for photos. For babies who aren’t walking yet, barefoot, socks or moccasin-type shoes are a great choice. If you put new shoes on a baby for a photo shoot you will spend a considerable amount of time losing shoes, finding them and putting them back on your baby's feet.

Wear Classic Clothes That Fit Well
Do wear clothing that is fitted or tailored, but avoid tight fitting pieces. Baggy clothing will always make you appear larger and should be avoided. Longer tops tend to work best for moms. Logos can be distracting and should be avoided. Unless you just absolutely love your arms, I recommend something with sleeves.

Layers Are Always A Good Idea
Layers are super flattering. They also add dimension and interest to your family photos. You can neutralize colors with a cream or navy sweater or add texture with a chunky knit. 

Coordinate, But Don’t Match
Please don’t show up with everyone wearing the exact same thing. It’s very dated and not a good look! You want to coordinate around a color palette, but avoid matching. Pick one or two colors, add neutral colors to complement and then vary patterns, textures and clothing types within the color scheme.

I recommend starting with Mom’s outfit first. Women tend to be more picky about what they wear and how it looks, so mom is a great place to start. Once you figure out her outfit, coordinate dad and kids around that.

Avoid neon colors and bright red. These colors reflect the sun and can cause weird skin tones. Tight patterns, pinstripes, plaids and dot patterns jump around on a screen and have a life of their own. Adults should also avoid solid white. Small kids are an exception; little girls can get away with a white or cream sundress for a classic, timeless look.

Vary Patterns and Textures (to an extent)
Each person in your family has their own style and it’s important to highlight that. You can add depth and variety to your family photos by dressing different family members in different styles and textures. Mix solids and patterns. Have one person wear a subtle plaid or add in a chunky knit sweater. Build your outfits around the person with a pattern, such as one person wears a floral print dress and the rest of the family chooses colors taken from that dress. Just make sure you have enough neutrals or solids to balance out bold patterns.

If you have specific questions, feel free to contact me! I love to chat about clothes and give feedback on ideas. Below are some great examples for inspiration!

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