If there’s one part of planning a family photography session that tends to cause the most stress, it’s usually the outfits.
What should everyone wear? Should you match? What colors look best? What if your daughter insists on wearing her favorite bright pink dress? Do you need to buy everyone something new?
The good news is that choosing outfits for family photos doesn’t have to be complicated.
The goal isn’t to make everyone look identical or dress your family in whatever happens to be trending. The goal is to create a collection of outfits that work together visually while still feeling like your family.
Your clothing becomes part of the story of your photographs. The right colors, textures, layers, and silhouettes help create images that feel intentional without taking attention away from the people in them.
And if you’re planning a session here in Arizona, your location matters, too. The colors and textures that look beautiful in a desert landscape may feel completely different in a lush green field, at a downtown location, or in your home.
So let’s take the guesswork out of it.
Start With Your Family’s Style
Before you think about colors, start with something more important: what do you actually like?
Your family photos should still feel like you.
If you normally dress in relaxed, neutral clothing, you don’t need to suddenly put everyone in formal outfits. If you love feminine dresses, texture, and color, embrace that. If your family is more casual, build a polished version of that style.
Think about the feeling you want your photographs to have.
Do you want them to feel:
Light and airy?
Warm and earthy?
Classic and timeless?
Playful and colorful?
Moody and dramatic?
Relaxed and casual?
Elevated and editorial?
This is a great place to start because your preferred style will naturally guide your clothing choices.
Look Around Your Own Home
One of the easiest ways to figure out your style is to look at the spaces where you’ll eventually display your photographs.
What colors do you already gravitate toward?
If your home is filled with creams, warm woods, sage greens, and muted blues, those colors may feel natural in your family photographs, too.
You can also look through your own closet. Which pieces do you consistently reach for? Which colors make you feel confident? Which outfits make you feel most like yourself?
Those clues can help you build a wardrobe that feels authentic instead of overly styled.
Coordinate, Don’t Match
Different outfits, one cohesive family story.
One of the biggest changes in family photography styling over the years has been moving away from everyone wearing the exact same outfit.
You don’t need four people in white shirts and jeans.
Instead, think about coordination.
Everyone’s outfit should feel like it belongs in the same photograph without looking like a uniform.
A shared color palette creates that connection while allowing each person to have their own outfit and personality.
For example:
Cream + sage + dusty blue + tan
Mom might wear a sage dress, Dad might wear a cream button-down and tan pants, your daughter could wear a dusty blue dress, and your son could wear a cream shirt with denim.
Nobody is wearing the exact same color, but everything still works together.
A good starting point is to choose 2–4 main colors and repeat those colors throughout the family’s outfits.
You don’t have to use every color in every outfit. Instead, let the colors show up naturally throughout the group.
Choose a Color Palette Before You Shop
Rather than shopping for four completely separate outfits, create a color palette first.
This is one of the easiest ways to keep your outfits cohesive.
Start with one outfit that you absolutely love. This might be a dress for Mom, a patterned shirt for one of the kids, or even a favorite piece you already own.
Then pull a few colors from that outfit to build everyone else’s clothing around.
For example, if Mom chooses a floral dress with:
Cream + rust + sage + tan
you can pull those colors into everyone else’s outfits.
- Dad might wear tan pants and a cream shirt.
- One child could wear sage.
- Another could wear rust or a subtle pattern that includes some of those same colors.
The result feels coordinated because the colors repeat without everyone wearing the same thing.
A Simple Formula
Try this: 1 anchor outfit + 2–3 coordinating colors + 1 neutral
That’s enough to create a cohesive look for most families.
ADD VISUAL INTEREST
Don't Forget About Texture
Color is only one part of a beautiful wardrobe.
If everyone is wearing smooth cotton shirts in solid colors, your outfits can sometimes look a little flat—even if the colors are perfect.
Texture adds depth and visual interest without requiring bold patterns.
Consider incorporating:
- Linen
- Knit sweaters
- Waffle textures
- Denim
- Corduroy
- Gauze
- Eyelet
- Lace
- Ribbed fabrics
- Quilted layers
- Knitted cardigans
- Textured dresses
- Suede or leather accessories
Texture is especially beautiful in photographs because it gives the eye something to notice without competing with your family’s faces.
Think About Layers
Layers are another easy way to add dimension.
- A simple dress can be paired with a cardigan.
- A button-down can be layered under a sweater.
- A child can wear a textured sweater over a simple shirt.
- A denim jacket can add structure to an otherwise soft outfit.
Layers also give you the opportunity to make small changes throughout the session without completely changing outfits.
For Arizona sessions, of course, consider the season and temperature. You don’t need to force layers into a 110-degree summer session just because they look good on Pinterest.
Comfort always matters.
Use patterns carefully
Patterns aren’t bad, in fact, they can be a beautiful way to introduce personality and color.
The key is to keep them intentional.
If one person is wearing a floral dress, use the colors in that floral to inspire everyone else’s outfits.
Instead of having three different floral patterns competing in the same photograph, let one person have the statement pattern while the rest of the family wears complementary solids or subtle textures.
In general, avoid:
- Large logos
- Character graphics
- Neon colors
- Extremely busy patterns
- Multiple competing patterns
- Very small, tight stripes or patterns that can create distracting visual effects on camera
A simple rule:
One statement pattern can be beautiful. Several competing patterns can become distracting.
Build the outfits together
Once you have your color palette, don’t shop for each person separately.
Lay everything out together.
Put Mom’s outfit on the bed.
Add Dad’s.
Then add the kids’ outfits.
Look at the entire collection from a distance.
Ask yourself:
- Do the colors work together?
- Is one outfit much brighter than everything else?
- Do I have a good mix of light and dark tones?
- Are there too many patterns?
- Does everyone look like they belong in the same photograph?
- Does the overall look fit the location?
- Does this still feel like our family?
This is one of the easiest ways to catch a problem before you’re standing in front of the camera.
And don’t forget shoes.
Shoes are part of the outfit, even if they aren’t the focus. Choose footwear that complements the overall look rather than introducing a completely different color or style.
Think About Your Location
Your location should play a role in what you wear.
You don’t want your family to look like they’re dressed for a beach vacation if you’re photographing them in the desert.
Instead, think about the colors already present in your environment and choose clothing that complements them.
Desert Landscapes
Arizona’s desert landscapes tend to have warm, muted colors—sand, tan, beige, brown, rust, muted greens, and golden grasses.
Soft neutrals, earth tones, sage, dusty blue, rust, terracotta, blush, and cream can all work beautifully against this backdrop.
You can either create a harmonious look by staying within those earthy tones or use a slightly deeper color to create contrast.
Green Fields & Open Spaces
If your location has tall green grass, trees, or lots of foliage, consider colors that complement or contrast the greenery.
Cream, tan, blush, dusty blue, rust, mauve, and warm neutrals can all work well.
Urban Locations
If you’re photographing downtown or around architecture, you have more freedom.
Neutral outfits, denim, black, navy, gray, camel, and muted colors can create a more modern and editorial feel.
In-Home Sessions
For in-home photography, consider the colors already present in your home.
Soft neutrals and natural textures often work beautifully because they blend naturally into the environment.
The most important thing is that your clothing and location feel like they belong together.
8 Family Photo Color Palettes to Try
Here are eight starting points you can use when planning your family’s outfits. You don’t have to follow these exactly; use them as inspiration and adjust the shades to fit your personal style and location.
1. Cream + Sage + Tan + Dusty Blue
Feel: Light, natural, timeless
Great for: Green fields, open fields, desert landscapes, outdoor sessions
This is one of the most versatile palettes because it combines warm and cool tones without feeling overly colorful.
Think cream dresses, tan pants, sage tops, dusty blue dresses or accessories, and natural leather shoes.
2. Cream + Rust + Terracotta + Warm Brown
Feel: Warm, earthy, rich
Great for: Desert landscapes, rocky locations, fall sessions, golden-hour photography
This palette feels especially at home in Arizona.
The warm tones complement the natural reds, browns, and golden grasses found throughout the desert without disappearing into the background.
For a little contrast, use cream or ivory as your lightest shade.
3. Blush + Cream + Mauve + Taupe
Feel: Soft, romantic, feminine
Great for: Open fields, gardens, spring sessions, soft desert landscapes
This is a beautiful option if you want color without having your outfits feel bright.
Blush and mauve add personality while cream and taupe keep the overall look grounded.
4. Navy + Cream + Camel + Dusty Blue
Feel: Classic, clean, timeless
Great for: Urban locations, open fields, green landscapes, family sessions
Navy gives this palette a little more contrast while the cream, camel, and dusty blue keep it soft.
This is a particularly good option if you prefer cooler colors but still want warmth throughout the outfits.
5. Olive + Cream + Mustard + Denim
Feel: Relaxed, earthy, playful
Great for: Desert locations, fall sessions, outdoor lifestyle sessions
Olive and mustard bring a little more personality while cream and denim keep the palette familiar and wearable.
This works especially well for families who want something casual but still pulled together.
6. Oatmeal + Soft Gray + Dusty Blue + Ivory
Feel: Airy, minimal, modern
Great for: In-home sessions, beach-inspired locations, green fields, light and bright environments
If you love a neutral look, this is an easy palette to work with.
The subtle variation between oatmeal, gray, blue, and ivory creates dimension without relying on bold colors.
7. Deep Green + Cream + Rust + Tan
Feel: Rich, natural, dramatic
Great for: Desert landscapes, mountain locations, fall sessions, evening golden hour
The deeper green creates contrast against Arizona’s lighter landscape, while rust and tan tie the wardrobe back into the environment.
This is a great option if you prefer a little more depth and richness in your photographs.
8. Terracotta + Dusty Blue + Cream + Olive
Feel: Warm, Southwestern, artistic
Great for: Arizona desert landscapes, desert trails, rocky locations, golden-hour sessions
This palette is particularly suited to the Arizona landscape.
The terracotta and olive echo the natural environment while dusty blue provides contrast against the warm desert tones. Cream keeps everything from becoming too dark.
Where Should You Shop?
You absolutely do not need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for your family.
Start with what you already own.
You may already have the perfect pair of neutral pants, a beautiful dress, or a textured sweater that can become the starting point for your entire palette.
If you do need a few new pieces, look for retailers that offer a range of simple, classic pieces and easy-to-coordinate colors.
Some places worth checking include:
- Target
- Old Navy
- H&M
- Zara
- Gap
- Amazon
- Nordstrom
- Nordstrom Rack
- J.Crew Factory
- Abercrombie
- Mango
- Etsy for unique children’s pieces and accessories
For kids especially, don’t be afraid to mix retailers. You don’t need everyone’s clothing to come from the same collection.
Shop for the Hero Piece First
Instead of trying to find everyone’s outfit at once, start with the person who has the hardest outfit to find—or the person whose outfit you want to build around. Often this is Mom’s dress or a child’s statement piece. Once you have that outfit, pull colors and textures from it to build everyone else’s wardrobe.
This is much easier than starting with four blank closets and trying to make everything coordinate at the same time.
Looking for Something Easy?
Start With Amazon
If you’d rather shop from home, I’ve gathered some easy-to-shop outfit ideas on Amazon to help you get started. I’ve organized them by family member so you can browse for pieces that fit your family’s style, color palette, and the season of your session.
Shop for Mom | Shop for Dad | Shop for Girls | Shop for Boys | Shop for Babies
You’ll find ideas for everything from dresses and sweaters to children’s outfits, men’s basics, layers, and accessories that photograph beautifully for family sessions.
Think of these as inspiration, not a shopping list. You don’t need to purchase everything you see. Use these links to find a color, texture, or piece you love, then build the rest of your family’s outfits around it.
Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
Don’t Forget About Comfort
Beautiful photos start with people who feel comfortable.
This is especially important when you’re photographing young children.
If your toddler hates the itchy sweater, they’re probably not going to suddenly love it because there’s a camera nearby.
If your son refuses to wear dress shoes, don’t make the shoes the hill you’re willing to die on.
Choose clothing that allows your family to:
- Move
- Sit
- Walk
- Play
- Pick up your kids
- Give hugs
- Run around
- Relax
The goal is not to create a perfectly styled family who can’t move. The goal is to create photographs that feel like your family. And when everyone feels comfortable in what they’re wearing, it becomes much easier to forget about the camera and focus on each other.
A Simple Outfit Planning Checklist
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t try to solve everything at once.
Follow these steps:
1. Choose your location.
Think about the colors and overall feeling of the environment.
2. Decide on your overall style.
Light and airy? Warm and earthy? Classic? Colorful? Casual?
3. Choose one anchor outfit.
Start with the outfit you love most.
4. Pull out 2–4 coordinating colors.
Use the anchor outfit to create your family palette.
5. Add texture.
Think linen, knits, denim, gauze, corduroy, layers, or other subtle textures.
6. Add one or two patterns at most.
Make sure the patterns share colors with the rest of the wardrobe.
7. Lay everything out together.
Don’t wait until the morning of your session.
8. Check the details.
Shoes, socks, jewelry, hair accessories, belts, and layers all become part of the final image.
9. Make sure everyone is comfortable.
Especially the kids.
10. Stop overthinking it.
Your family, not your outfits, is the most important part of the photograph.
And Remember:
There Is No Perfect Outfit
Your family photos don’t need to look like they came out of a magazine.
They should look like you.
The purpose of planning your outfits isn’t to create perfection. It’s to remove distractions so the focus stays on the people, relationships, and moments that matter.
Choose colors that work together. Add some texture. Consider your location. Let everyone’s personality come through.
Then forget about the clothes and enjoy your family.
That’s when the best photographs happen.
Ready to start planning your session?
I’d love to help you create a session that feels relaxed, natural, and true to your family.
