Stress-Free Family Portrait Outfits: Tips for a Perfectly Coordinated Look

Portrait Sessions

Family beach portraits in Virginia beach with a family of four.

My clients often ask, “What should we wear?” when it comes to their family portrait session. I understand the ins and outs of the feelings behind this question because I too have wrestled with this same concern when getting my own family ready for our family portraits. As a professional family photographer I wish I could say I’m immune from the inevitable stress that comes along with having your family portrait session but alas…I’m not.

What I have found to be helpful are the following rules ( I use that term loosely) on choosing outfits for your family session.

Try choosing a color palette that exists already in nature. Most of my sessions are at the beach or a beachy location so neutral color palettes work along with accents of either blue, green or even pink go really well.

For a different approach, think about the colors in your home. When you have your portraits printed and hanging on the wall in your living room or hallway wouldn’t it be great if they complimented your home’s decor you’ve already curated?

Start with one person’s outfit and build the rest around it. As much as I love the 90’s the one thing I can do without is everyone in jeans with a white shirt or any variation that involves unified color tops and bottoms. The idea is to coordinate NOT match. You want there to be some diversity in the outfits so you can notice each individual in the photo.

Follow these rules and you’ll be sure to be very pleased with your family portraits. You’ll be printing them on holiday cards and hanging them on walls for at least the next year or so. That is until you get the itch for your next session!

Family beach portraits in Virginia beach with a family of four.
Family beach portraits in Virginia beach with a family of four. Mom and daughter.
Family beach portraits in Virginia beach with a family of four.

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