“What should we wear?!”
If you’ve ever planned family photos, chances are you’ve asked yourself what to wear for family photos more than once. And you’re not alone—this is hands-down the most common thing families stress about before their session.
You want to look put-together, but not overly styled.
Coordinated, but not matching.
Timeless, not trendy.
Most of all—you want your family to feel like yourselves. To be a genuine and enduring reflection of who you really are as a family full of joy, fun, laughter and snuggles.
The good news? There’s a simple way to pull together outfits that feel natural, effortless, and genuinely you—without all the overthinking.
Let’s make this part easy (and even enjoyable!) so you can focus on what really matters: capturing your family just as you are.
Mom Picks First
Let’s start with the mamas. Here’s the thing—if you don’t feel confident, the whole session will feel a little off. So instead of trying to coordinate everyone else right away, start with you.
Choose something that makes you feel like your best, glowing self.
Maybe it’s that flowy dress that moves beautifully and feels effortless, or a cozy, oversized sweater that’s both polished and comfortable. Whatever makes you feel confident and at ease—start there.
Once you’ve picked your outfit, use it as the anchor. Look at the colors, textures, and overall mood. If your dress has a soft floral print, for example, your family’s outfits can pull from those tones—maybe your partner wears a muted blue, and the kids are in soft neutrals with a little pop of color in their accessories or shoes. This way, everyone looks thoughtfully coordinated—without looking too “matchy” or styled like a catalog.
Start with a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
Super matchy outfits can quickly make your photos feel stiff—or worse, like a throwback to a 90s holiday card. Instead of dressing everyone in the same shade, choose a color palette—three to four tones that complement each other—and weave them throughout your family’s outfits. Pinterest is an amazing tool for finding a palette that aligns with your preferences.
Here’s a quick tip: look around your home.
The colors you’re naturally drawn to in your décor are likely the ones you’ll love in your photos, too. Let your own established preferences and go-to choices be the inspiration for what to wear in family photos.
Aim for a mix of solids, soft patterns, and layered textures.
If Dad’s in a plaid shirt, maybe you go with a solid dress in one of the palette colors. The kids? Try cozy knits, simple layers, or subtle prints to bring in dimension without clashing.
TIP: Don’t forget to consider footwear & accessories! They really do complete the look.
Ensure that there is a balance of light to medium to dark through everyone’s pieces. This way, the group as a whole will complement each other.
The goal: everyone looks connected, but not carbon copies!
Dress for Your Location & Season
Your location sets the tone—and your outfits should complement it, not compete with it.
If your session is in a lush green park, skip wearing too much green or you’ll blend into the background. Instead, think earthy neutrals, soft blues, or warm rust tones that help your family pop in a natural, beautiful way. (This is also why I will always ask my clients to share their vision for location in our first phone call together. Location preferences always impact my recommendations on what to wear for family photos.)
Another thing to consider? The weather.
It’s easy to get caught up in a look, but if it’s 25°+ outside, skip the layers and keep it breezy. For spring and fall, when it looks sometimes warmer than it actually is, the goal is to stay warm and stylish—think wool coats, textured scarves, and cute boots instead of bulky jackets that hide everyone’s personalities.
When you dress with your location and season in mind, your photos will feel cohesive, comfortable, and timeless. (Not to mention, everyone will enjoy the session much more when they are not overheating or shivering.)
Avoid Distracting Logos & Graphics
Your toddler’s favorite superhero shirt? Adorable—but maybe not the vibe you want in your family portraits. 😄
Big logos, bold text, or neon colors will pull focus away from what really matters: your faces, your connection, and the feeling in the frame. When there’s a group photo where only one person’s outfit pops with boldness, it will feel off balance, and ultimately, work against what you’re trying to achieve: the preservation of who you are as a family at this moment in time.
Consider Movement & Comfort
Family photos today aren’t about stiff poses and forced smiles—they’re about play, connection, and real moments. That means your outfits should move with you, not work against you.
- For moms, dresses with a bit of flow always photograph beautifully.
- For kids, avoid anything itchy, stiff, or restrictive—it’s hard to feel joyful when you’re uncomfortable.
- For dads, layers are your best friend. Think lightweight jackets or textured sweaters to add depth without bulk. Skip the stiff dress shirts—they wrinkle easily and can feel restrictive.
More Important Than Outfits
Here’s the truth: these photos aren’t about the clothes. I know so much emphasis is usually placed on what to wear for family photos, but at the end of the day, that’s not what it’s all about. They’re about your people—your love, your story, and the little, in-between moments that make your family yours.
But when you feel confident, comfortable, and true to yourselves, that ease shows up in every image.
So if you’ve been spiraling about what to wear for family photos, take a deep breath. Start with your outfit, build a soft color palette, keep the setting in mind, and choose pieces that will align with success over absolute perfection.
Because the best family photos don’t come from the “perfect” outfit…
They come from the genuine connection you already have.
Need a little shopping inspiration?
If you need a place to start in deciding what to wear for family photos, here are a few of my go-to shops for photo-friendly pieces:
- Baltic Born & Ivy City – Flowy, flattering dresses that photograph beautifully (https://balticborn.com, https://ivycityco.com/)
- H&M, Zara & Uniqlo – Affordable, neutral basics that mix and match easily for the whole family (Zara is one of my go-tos for kids because of their gorgeous kids palette, textures and patterns) https://www2.hm.com/en_ca/ https://www.zara.com/ca/ https://www.uniqlo.com/ca/en
- Pehr & Wheat – Organic kids & baby clothes, made in Canada https://ca.pehr.com https://www.wheatkidsclothing.com
- Anthropologie – Bold, boho and unique pieces for women https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/
- Banana Rebuplic – Neutrals, layers and textures that are amazing for dad (https://bananarepublic.gapcanada.ca
Wherever you shop, keep it simple, comfortable, and you.
As always, I’m here to make this experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Along the entire journey, I will guide and recommend according to the vision you’ve shared with me for how you want to document and preserve your legacy.
Ready to book your Calgary family session?
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