Outfit Ideas for Styling Family Photos 2025 Edition

Tips for Choosing Outfits for Your Family Photos

Styling your crew for photos can feel like a puzzle—but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s my go-to advice for pulling it all together without the stress:

👗 Start With One Outfit
The easiest way to build your family’s look is to start with one outfit you love—usually Mom’s! Once that piece is picked, build around it using complementary colors and textures. The goal isn’t to match perfectly, but to coordinate naturally.

🎨 Stick to a Cohesive Color Palette
Earthy tones like rust, sage, mustard, cream, and terracotta always photograph beautifully—but don’t be afraid to mix in bolder hues too! Deep colors like navy, emerald, or teal, and even classic black can add richness and contrast when paired thoughtfully. The key is to choose 2–4 complementary shades and mix them across the group for a natural, pulled-together look.

Textures like knits, linen, corduroy, and lace add visual interest without being loud. Layers like jackets, vests, or cardigans help break up solid blocks of color and flatter a variety of body types—especially helpful for anyone feeling self-conscious.

📸 Mix Solids + Subtle Patterns

When choosing outfits, a great rule of thumb is to pick 2–4 colors that coordinate well together—think earth tones, neutrals, or soft pops of color. Black goes great with my editing style as well. From there, mix and match across the group using mostly solids and one subtle pattern to add visual interest.

Florals, soft stripes, or even textured fabrics (like waffle knits or lace) work beautifully in photos. Just be cautious with too much plaid—especially tight, bold patterns—as they can create a weird visual effect called “moire” on camera (basically, it looks like your shirt is glitching). Less is definitely more when it comes to bold prints!

🚫 A Few “No-Nos” to Avoid:
• Tight or ill-fitting clothes
• Super short skirts or dresses
• Bright neon colors 
• Logos or graphic tees
• Sunglasses on the head
• Hair ties or bulky watches on wrists
• Phones or bulky items in pockets

🧢 Hats (Especially Ball Caps)
Hats are totally your call! Let’s be real—around here, it’s basically a fashion statement to rock blue jeans, a baseball cap, and that signature Skoal can fade in the back pocket. And honestly? I’ve learned to just roll with it. It’s part of who we are!

That said, if you can gently convince your husband or teen to ditch the cap (and maybe pocket the can) for just a few shots, your photos might feel a bit more polished and timeless. But if not? No worries. We’ll capture your crew exactly as they are—ranch-chic and ready for the wall.

👟 Comfort Comes First
Make sure everyone can sit, move, and play in their outfits—especially little ones. Comfort leads to more relaxed posing and genuine moments. 

📌 Need Inspiration?
Pinterest is your best friend! Search “family photo outfit ideas” for visual guides, color combos, and style inspiration to help spark ideas as you plan.

💬 Bonus: When in doubt, send me your outfit picks—I’m always happy to help you finalize your looks! Schedule a styling consultation with any booked session as my gift to you.