What to Wear for a Family Photoshoot: 9 Tips from a San Francisco Personal Stylist
Planning a family photoshoot can feel like a whirlwind of excitement and stress, especially when it comes to choosing the right outfits. As a busy mom, I understand how important it is to capture your family looking their best during your photoshoot or holiday mini session. Helping everyone dress every day is enough, let alone deciding what to wear for a family photoshoot!
In this guide, I’ll simplify the process with practical tips and stylish suggestions tailored to outdoor settings. From coordinating colors to selecting fabrics that look great on camera, I’ll help you dress your family in outfits that not only enhance your photos but also ensure everyone feels comfortable and confident. Say goodbye to outfit stress and hello to stunning family memories!
Dress for Your Environment
Your photos won’t turn out as you envision if you’re uncomfortable or struggling for balance. Remember to dress for the environment and weather conditions on the day of your shoot. As always in the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s safest to wear layers. Choose items that button or zip up the front so as not to disturb your hair and makeup.
Women should also avoid all heels and wedges on unstable surfaces such as sand, grass, and forest trails.
2. Men: Skip the Shorts
While shorts may be comfortable, they don’t create a polished look in photographs. Men should avoid shorts and instead opt for business casual attire. For bottoms, I recommend crisp khakis or a pair of jeans without distressing.
One exception: beach shoots. These are inherently more casual and summery, making shorts appropriate.
3. Lean On Neutrals
Neutrals such as cream, brown, gray, ivory, and tan are ideal when deciding what to wear for family photos because they won’t compete with your surroundings or draw attention toward one specific family member.
You can easily create a cohesive and elevated look for your mini session or family photoshoot by dressing everyone in neutrals with coordinating undertones. For example, a palette with warm khaki, brown, and cream is easy for most people to create with items they already own.
4. Choose Muted Colors
When dressing for a family photoshoot outdoors, you can also incorporate muted versions of naturally occurring seasonal colors to reference the time of year and create harmony with your outdoor environment.
The trick is not to match your surroundings exactly. For example, you wouldn’t want to dress everyone in green if your shoot is in a woodland setting. Instead, you’ll want to use a color that might be found somewhere in your surroundings, but not everywhere in your chosen setting.
Muted garnet, antique rose, sage green, sky blue, and navy are all excellent color choices.
5. Watch Out for Bright White
White reflects all colors equally, which can make a white shirt look like it’s glowing in bright sunlight or when your photographer uses a flash. It also makes most people look washed out and can make objects look larger than they actually are. Wearing a white skirt, for example, can draw undue attention to your lower half, distorting your proportions while also making you the center of attention.
Cream, ivory, and eggshell are all preferable to white in photos. Not only will they prevent your clothing from bouncing too much light back to the camera, they’ll also flatter the undertones in your skin to make you look healthier and more vibrant.
6. Beware of Stripes
Horizontal stripes are notorious for making objects – and people – look wider than they actually are. Graphic, highly contrasting stripes can also draw too much attention to one person, while thin stripes placed too close together can look distorted in photo – a phenomenon known as moiré.
If you or a family member is dead set on wearing a stripe, opt for a subtle pinstripe worn within the bottom layer of an outfit. For example, a light blue shirt with a thin, cream pinstripe worn underneath a jacket adds texture and elongates the body.
7. When in Doubt, Wear Blue
A soft blue or navy can add just a little bit of color without competing with your surroundings or drawing attention away from your family’s faces. When worn with a neutral palette, it also feels fresh, clean, and modern.
I recommend against putting everyone in matching outfits, as this can make the photo feel flat. Instead, create dimension by mixing different blue hues in various clothing items. For example, one person might wear jeans while another might wear a blue dress. Then another person is wearing a navy blue sweater while someone else has a blue tie.
8. Choose Small Prints
Adding a print can be a great way to pull color into your outfit without creating too much of a pop. Avoid bold prints and instead opt for smaller patterns without too much negative space within the design. Small-to-medium prints – especially florals – often translate visually as texture and are perfect for outdoor photo sessions.
9. Incorporate Texture
Yummy knits, bouclé, corduroy, tulle, and details that add dimension (such as bows or floral appliqué) are all great ways to add visual interest. Some people avoid texture because they worry the added weight of the fabric will distort their proportions. This is where lines come in. A long cardigan worn open can elongate the body using vertical lines while adding textural interest.
Beware of silky, reflective textures such as patent leather, satin, and metallics. Like bright white, these reflect light back to the camera and can be distracting.
Above all, remember to have fun and choose something that makes you feel like your best self. Your confidence will show in your smile!
Looking for an excellent San Francisco Bay Area photographer for your family holiday photos? I highly recommend my good friend Amelia Plumb. Her family mini sessions are affordably priced and perfect for holiday cards. Book now before she sells out!