OUTFIT
What is best to wear during your family photo shoot?
The shoot is scheduled, and then that one question quickly arises: what should we all wear as a family?
Should you, your partner, and the kids wear the same thing? Is color allowed? We have listed our best styling tips for you, so that the outfits will soon form exactly the right backdrop for your photos—without taking center stage themselves.
Coordinate, don’t match
The most common mistake: having everyone wear the exact same color. This quickly looks stiff and “dressed up” instead of natural. Instead, choose 2 to 3 colors from the same family (for example, beige, white, and soft blue, or terracotta, mustard yellow, and cream) and distribute them across your outfits. This way it looks like a cohesive whole without feeling overly “matchy.”
Choose calm textures, not busy prints
Solid colors and subtle textures (think of a ribbed sweater, linen, denim) work best. Avoid fine, closely spaced stripes or small checks—these types of fine patterns can create a wavy, “shimmering” effect on camera (called moiré), which makes the photo look technically less polished.
If you do choose a striped garment, go for wider, spaced-out stripes instead of a fine pinstripe pattern. Large logos, bright prints, or text on clothing also draw attention away from your faces—and date a photo more quickly, whereas you want to keep these photos timeless.
Think in layers
A cardigan, blazer, or button-down worn open over a simple shirt immediately adds depth to an outfit, and you can easily take it off or put it on if the weather (during an outdoor shoot) requires it. For the kids, a simple base with one nice accent piece often works better than a full “outfit” feel—after all, comfort remains the most important thing for them.
And what about the kids?
- Comfort over perfection. A garment that itches or pinches will show on their little faces. Let them get used to what they will be wearing that day beforehand.
- Allow for some playfulness. Bare feet, a stray lock of hair, trousers that have ridden up slightly from playing—that’s all part of it, and often looks even more charming on camera than a strictly styled outfit.
- Feel free to bring an extra set of clothes, especially with small children—a spilled snack or a stain from playing in the grass is easily fixed.
Practical tips for the whole family
- Wash and iron outfits in advance—wrinkles stand out more than you would think in photos.
- Consider footwear. For an outdoor shoot on grass or sand, bare feet often look more natural than shoes; in the studio, it’s best to choose something that matches the rest of the outfit.
- Take the background into account. With a neutral, light studio background, both light and dark colors work well; at a green outdoor location, earth tones and pastels usually look best.
- In doubt? Feel free to send a photo of the outfits you have in mind in advance—we are happy to help you think about whether the colors and textures will work well together on camera.
In short
Bonus: photo shoot with the extended family?
Are grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins also coming along for the photo? Then the task changes slightly, because you are coordinating not one, but several households at once.
- Work with one color palette, not one outfit. Simply share 2-3 colors with everyone in advance (for example, via a group chat), and let each family choose their own outfits within that range. This keeps it manageable, even with many people.
- Consider age differences in style. What looks good on a grandparent doesn’t have to be the same as on a grandchild—as long as the colors match, it still looks like a cohesive whole.
- Plan a little more time. With multiple families involved, it sometimes takes a bit longer to get everyone together for the group photos—keep that in mind for your planning that day.
Any more questions about your outfits before the day of the shoot? Feel free to let us know via the contact form on our site.
