A Simple Guide to Outfits for Outdoor Family Pictures

5 Tips for Coordinating Your Family’s Outfits

Choosing what to wear for outdoor family photos can feel overwhelming—but it really doesn’t have to be!

Outdoor sessions are a little different from studio sessions. We have to think about the colors at the location, the season and how all of your outfits will look together in natural light.

The goal is to coordinate, not match. You want everyone to look like they belong together without wearing the exact same thing.

For the family in these photos, I started with the toddler’s patterned dress. I then pulled colors from her dress to help choose the rest of the family’s outfits.

Here are my five best tips:

1. Start With the Hardest Person to Dress

Start with the person whose outfit will be the hardest to choose. This is often mom or one of the children.

Once you find one outfit you love, it’s much easier to plan everyone else’s clothing around it. If that outfit has a pattern, pull two or three colors from the pattern and use those colors throughout the other outfits.

2. Coordinate—Don’t Match

You do not need to put everyone in the same white shirt and blue jeans. When everyone matches exactly, the photos can look a little flat and dated.

Instead, choose different outfits in colors that look good together. Everyone can have their own style while still looking like part of the same family.

3. Stick With One Main Pattern

One pattern is usually enough!

A floral dress, plaid shirt or other patterned piece can be a great starting point. Keep everyone else in mostly solid colors or VERY subtle patterns so the outfits don’t compete with each other.

Also avoid large logos, characters or graphics. We want the focus to be on your family—not someone’s shirt.

4. Add Texture and Layers

Texture photographs beautifully! Think knits, linen, denim, corduroy or soft, flowing fabrics.

Layers can also make outfits feel more finished. A cardigan, sweater, jacket, scarf or simple accessory can add interest without being distracting.

Just don’t add accessories for the sake of adding them. If something doesn’t feel like you, skip it.

5. Think About Color, Fit and Shoes

You CAN wear color! Muted shades such as mustard, rust, dusty blue, olive, mauve and burgundy look beautiful outdoors. Just stay away from neon colors because they can reflect onto the skin and become distracting.

I also recommend avoiding too much bright white or solid black. Cream, ivory, oatmeal, taupe, grey and charcoal usually photograph more softly.

Make sure everyone’s clothing fits properly and is comfortable enough to move around in. Outdoor family sessions include walking, cuddling, sitting and playing—especially when little ones are involved.

And don’t forget the shoes! Choose simple shoes that work with the outfit and the location. Try to avoid athletic shoes unless they are intentionally part of the look.

Most importantly, choose outfits that still feel like YOUR family. These tips are here to help, but you don’t need to stress about making everything perfect.

If you’re unsure, text me photos of your options! I’m always happy to help my clients choose outfits that will photograph beautifully.

— Julia Christina
Your Seattle Family and Newborn Photographer