Planning a photo session this fall? Get 10 tips to help you pick out the best holiday family photo outfits including choosing a color scheme, how to coordinate a whole family, and ideas to help you all look amazing!
Do you remember going to JC Penney or Sears for your family photos?
Or maybe The Picture People?
I can remember getting family photos done at our church when I was growing up!
For a long time, picking what to wear for family photos meant dressing up in your Sunday best.
Then came the phase where everyone wore white (or black) T-shirts and jeans.
Fortunately, the trends today for family photos are more relaxed and let families show off their individual personalities.
During my 11 years as a family portrait photographer, the number one question I was asked was “what should we wear?”.
Over those years I’ve learned some tips and tricks that can help you and everyone in your family look their best at your next family photo session, whether it’s with a professional photographer or if you’re taking pictures yourself with a timer.
I shared lots of tips and ideas about what to wear for spring and summer photo sessions, but my busiest time as a photographer was usually in the fall.
After all, it’s a beautiful time of year in North Carolina, family photos are fantastic gifts, and people love getting new photos to use for their holiday cards.
Follow this link to: get the free printable What to Wear for Family Photos Guide!
- What Should You Wear For Family Photos?
- Family Photo Outfit Shopping Resources
- How to Choose a Color Palette for Fall or Holiday Photos
- The Difference Between Choosing a Color Palette and a Color Tone
- Secret to Great Family Photos: Coordinate Instead of Match
- Don't Forget Accessories!
- Why Layers are Important for Cool Weather Photo Sessions
- What Not to Wear for Family Photos
- What To Do When Colors Still Don't Coordinate
- More Articles About What to Wear for a Photo Session
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What Should You Wear For Family Photos?
The first thing I always recommend when people ask what to wear is to choose clothes you and your family will feel comfortable wearing that are just a little nicer than everyday outfits.
If you’re taking the time to have photos taken, skip the baggy sweatshirts, logo T-shirts, and leggings.
At the same time, if the guys never wear shirts and ties or the girls never wear heels, don’t force them to wear them on picture day.
Their discomfort will show through in your pictures.
Choose clothes that are easy to move around in, that you feel amazing wearing, that compliment your figure.
Want to get really casual? You can always do matching or coordinating pajamas for a super fun photo session!
Family Photo Outfit Shopping Resources
Want to take all the guesswork out of what to wear? Here are some places where you can purchase matching or coordinating outfits for your family.
To avoid looking too matchy, consider picking just two of the outfits from these sources, then use the tips in this article to put together the other outfits.
J Crew Matching Family Outfits
Old Navy Mini Me Looks for the Family
The Children’s Place Family Outfits
How to Choose a Color Palette for Fall or Holiday Photos
When you’re deciding what to wear for a family photo session, I like to start with figuring out which color or colors everyone will wear.
Some things to consider when you’re picking colors:
- Where you’re taking the photos
- Where you plan to display the photos
- What colors look best on the people in your group
An easy way to choose a color scheme for your family photo outfits is to have the pickiest person in your group choose a clothing item they love with a pattern. Then simply pick 2 or 3 of the colors from that pattern and voila: instant color scheme.
If you’re working with a group that’s larger than your immediate family, take a photo of that item in natural light with a cell phone and send it to everyone else to help them with matching the colors.
Don’t have an outfit with a pattern?
No problem!
I’ve put together some color palettes to help you get started.
These eight palettes all coordinate well with the colors you naturally see outside during the fall.
There are five colors in each one, but you don’t need to use all five colors from a palette!
I find it’s easiest to pick one color you like best from a palette and let that be the main color your family wears.
Then, choose one or two more colors in that palette and use them as accent colors, or mix them in for other people in your family to wear.
Since many people love taking holiday photos during the fall months, you may want to choose colors that will look great on holiday cards!
Or maybe you’re more drawn to these bold, vibrant colors.
Regardless of the reason, the process is the same: pick the color you like the best, then choose two or three more colors from that row to use as accent colors or for other people in your group to wear.
The Difference Between Choosing a Color Palette and a Color Tone
So far we’ve been talking about picking a color scheme based on particular colors.
But another option is to simply pick a color tone and have everyone choose colors within that category.
What do I mean by color tones?
- Pastels
- Brights
- Jewel-tones
- Primary Colors
- Dark Colors
- Neutrals
Those are broad categories of color.
As long as everyone is in pastels (or brights, etc.), they don’t need to be wearing the same colors.
Secret to Great Family Photos: Coordinate Instead of Match
Try not to be too matchy-matchy.
Pick outfits that allow individual personalities to shine through!
Once you have that color scheme, go ahead and pick a mixture of patterns and solids.
I recommend picking two (maybe three) different patterns and then adding in some solids.
Texture is another great way to make your photos look fantastic.
What do I mean by texture?
Choose a variety of fabrics for the outfits and you instantly add texture. For instance, lace, corduroy, knits, chambray, gauzy or crepe fabrics, velvet, swiss dots, and waffle weave cloth.
Don’t Forget Accessories!
Accessories are what you need to kick it up a notch!
Make your clothes look intentionally styled by adding things like jewelry, scarves, and a belt. If it suits your personality and style, try a hat or suspenders too.
Headbands or hair bows are another fun accessory.
Don’t forget shoes either.
Choose styles that go with each outfit, also keeping in mind where you’re taking your photos.
If your kids live in athletic shoes, make sure you’re happy with how they look with their outfits or let them know in advance that they’ll be in different shoes for picture day…
You don’t want mom in heels if the photos are being taken somewhere like a field!
However, if someone really wants to wear heels, just bring them along to change into at the spot where you’re taking the pictures so they don’t get ruined while walking out in nature.
Why Layers are Important for Cool Weather Photo Sessions
If it’s chilly (or downright cold) out, layers are your BFF for family photos!
Think about it.
If you would normally be wearing a coat or jacket outside, you need something to help keep you (and the kids) warm and comfortable so the cute outfits you’ve chosen can be seen.
Not to mention, kids (and husbands) tend to get grouchy if they’re not comfortable.
Dressing in layers helps you to keep warm, while also adding some great texture to your photos.
If you live somewhere that’s really cold, consider choosing outfits that include stylish outerwear.
Wool pea coats, insulated flannel shackets, puffer jackets or vests can all be styled to look great in photos.
What Not to Wear for Family Photos
We’ve been talking about all the things that look great in your family photos, but what about things that can make your photos look not so good?
Here are a few things to think about and look out for as you prepare for your family photos.
None of these are hard and fast rules, but keep them in mind when you’re picking out your family photo outfits this fall.
Small Patterns Don’t Play Well with Digital Cameras
Some kinds of tiny patterns can be problematic for today’s digital cameras and create something called a moire effect.
To avoid this strange wavy pattern that sometimes produces odd colors too, don’t wear fabric with tiny repetitive details like narrow stripes or tiny checks.
No Neons!
Neon colors are super fun, but their intense tones often end up casting color on faces.
Skip Large Logos and Graphic Tees
Even if the current trend for clothing is large logos or graphic tees, skip these items on picture day if you’re spending money on a photographer.
Photo sessions aren’t cheap and many families only schedule them a few times throughout their kids’ lives.
Choosing outfits that are more timeless means you’ll like the way the photos look hanging in your home for a longer amount of time.
Clothes That Wrinkle Easily
Steer away from clothes that wrinkle easily.
While wrinkles can be edited by a photographer, many photographers charge extra for that kind of time-consuming editing.
Undergarments That Show When They Shouldn’t
When you try on an outfit, be sure to move around in it in front of your mirror.
Most photographers get families moving around and interacting with each other to get those relaxed, natural poses so be aware of how an outfit looks from all angles and while moving!
Do buttons gape over your bust? Be sure to add a pin or a quick stitch to keep them closed.
Are your bra straps showing or need constant readjusting? Go with a strapless bra.
Do you see panty lines or some jelly rolls where you don’t want them? Switch to no-show panties or put on some Spanx.
Car Keys, Wallets, Cell Phones, and Hair Ties
Family photos are not the place for awkward rectangles to show up in pockets.
If you or your daughter tend to keep a hair tie on your wrist, take those off too (unless you have some that actually look like bracelets).
Be sure to bring a bag or backpack with you to corral all these personal items!
Spit Out the Gum
You’re going to be up close and personal with your family members, so fresh breath is definitely a good thing!
Brush your teeth before the session.
It’s tempting to pop a piece of gum in your mouth, but gum has a way of showing when you smile, so spit it out before your photo session begins.
What To Do When Colors Still Don’t Coordinate
Let’s face it. As kids get older sometimes you have your friends snap a photo of you when you’re all together for Thanksgiving.
You don’t really plan what you’re wearing to coordinate for the “perfect” family photo.
And sometimes, despite your plans, outfits don’t work together as well as you want (especially if you’re coordinating with out-of-town people).
Don’t despair!
It’s super easy to make your photos black and white!
When our family got our Christmas cards that year no one suspected how mismatched we actually were.
I hope this inspires you to schedule YOUR family’s photo session and helps you to figure out what to wear for your family photos too.
For more inspiration in choosing your family photo outfits, check out our Pinterest board (and follow us on Pinterest while you’re there!): What to Wear For Family Photos
Follow this link to: get the free printable What to Wear for Family Photos Guide!
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