What to Wear for Your Family Photos
Choosing outfits doesn't have to be stressful—let me help!
I totally get it—figuring out what to wear for family photos can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! My goal is to make this part of your session fun and easy. I want you to wear something that feels like you—comfortable, confident, and stylish—but also something that will photograph beautifully and timelessly. That’s where I come in.
Let’s start with some easy go-to colour palettes that always work.
COLOUR PALETTES
Neutral Tones - Perfect for All Year Round and My personal fav!
Neutrals work in any season. Creams, taupes, soft greys, and muted earth tones are always flattering and photograph like a dream.
Soft Tones - Great for Spring & Summer:
Soft tones shine during these months—think pastels, light blues, whites, blush pinks, and gentle greens. These colours feel fresh and airy, and they look beautiful in natural light.
Warm Tones - Great for Fall
Fall is all about deeper, richer tones. Jewel colours like emerald, mustard, rust, burgundy, and deep browns pair beautifully with the golden tones of autumn foliage. a dream.
PATTERNS
What to look for & What to Avoid
Patterns can be tricky, but when done right, they add just the right amount of personality and visual interest to your images.
Patterns can be tricky, but when done right, they add just the right amount of personality and visual interest to your images.
Florals:
Whether small and delicate or bold and oversized, florals are always a yes from me. I especially love florals with a solid background—like soft peachy-orange blooms on a cream dress. Even busy florals can work well if they’re balanced with solid tones in the rest of the group.
Stripes:
Stripes can be fantastic—as long as they’re spaced out. Thin, tightly packed stripes can be distracting (and cause strange effects on camera), but wide or well-spaced stripes look clean and fresh. If you’re unsure, layer! A striped top under a solid cardigan or denim jacket tones things down perfectly.
Subtle Shapes & Prints:
Repeating prints in soft tones can be beautiful—as long as the colours don’t contrast too sharply. Think tone-on-tone dots or geometric patterns in earthy tones. A great example? Dad’s soft grey shirt with a faint dot or diamond texture.
Patterns to Avoid
High-contrast patterns: A white shirt with large black flowers? It draws attention away from your faces and can make the body look wider due to the strong contrast.
Tight stripes or plaid: These can create a weird optical illusion (called moiré) in your images and on screens.
Plaid (with a disclaimer!): Okay, I’ll be honest—plaid can sometimes work. If you really love it, just keep it simple. Have only one person wear it, and choose less contrasting tones. I recommend staying away from the large plaid print.
** There are exceptions - Christmas tree farm or Christmas themed sessions...I am ALLL for the plaid vibes!
Striples or tight lined patterns can create a distortion called "moire" when captured on camera. It's not something that can be fixed in photoshop!
Textures
Textures can bring your wardrobe to life in the best way. They add depth and richness to your images—especially in neutral tones. Think waffle-knit sweaters, corduroy overalls, linen tops, denim layers, or delicate lace details. They photograph beautifully and bring dimension without being distracting.
Sibling Tips...Why “Matchy-Matchy” Isn’t the Goal
(and What to Do Instead)
We’ve all seen the classic look—kids dressed in the exact same outfit from head to toe. While it might seem like a cute, safe choice, dressing children identically for family photos can actually take away from the overall beauty and harmony of your images.
Here’s why: identical outfits tend to flatten the visual interest in a photo. When everyone is wearing the same thing, there’s nothing for the eye to explore, and it can make the photo feel stiff or overly posed. More importantly, your children are unique individuals, and your wardrobe choices are a chance to celebrate their personalities while still keeping the family’s look cohesive.
Instead of matching, aim to coordinate.
That means looking for pieces that complement each other in colour, tone, and texture—rather than copying. For example, if one child is in a soft floral dress with blush and cream tones, another could wear a linen shirt in one of those soft blush shades, paired with khaki or taupe pants. Maybe one has a denim romper while the other wears a knit sweater in a coordinating neutral.
This kind of thoughtful coordination gives the photo depth, movement, and harmony. Everyone fits together beautifully—like pieces of a puzzle—without being carbon copies of each other.
When choosing outfits, think in terms of the colour palette we just went over, not identical colours. Stick to 3–4 complementary tones and work within that range using solid pieces, subtle patterns, or layered textures. This allows each child’s look to feel personal and intentional while still belonging to the same visual story.
Theses sibling image is a great example of texture, pattern and colour palette.
The most important thing?
Choose outfits that make you feel good. When you're confident and comfortable, it shows—and that’s what truly makes a photo beautiful. I’m always here to help if you need feedback or want to send me a few outfit ideas. Let’s make it fun and stress-free!
Award winning accredited portrait photographer based in Halton Hills specializing in Maternity, Newborn, Child, Family, Corporate and Wedding Photography.
Servicing Acton, Georgetown, Rockwood, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Guelph, Hamilton, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Toronto, Orangeville, Milton.
