If you’ve booked family photos or you’re thinking about booking a St. Louis family photography session, you’re probably wondering what everyone should wear.
And if you’ve ever tried to coordinate outfits for an entire family, you already know it can feel like a LOT. 😂
The good news? Your family does not need to perfectly match to have beautiful family photos.
As a St. Louis family photographer, I actually recommend coordinating your outfits instead of matching them. The goal is to choose colors, textures, and styles that work well together while still allowing everyone’s personality to come through.
Here are some of my favorite tips for choosing outfits for your next family photography session.
Start With One Outfit
Trying to choose five outfits at the same time can quickly become overwhelming.
Instead, start with one outfit that you absolutely love. This could be a dress for your daughter, a sweater for your son, or something you feel really good wearing yourself.
Once you have that outfit, pull colors from it for the rest of the family.
For example, if your daughter is wearing a dress with soft blue, cream, and tan, the rest of your family could wear cream, denim, tan, brown, or muted blue.
You don’t need everyone wearing the same colors.
Think coordinating, not matching.
Choose Colors That Work With Your Location
One of the best things about living in the St. Louis area is that we have so many beautiful locations for family photography.
From Queeny Park and Faust Park to Longview Farm Park and Forest Park, your location can help determine which colors will look best.
For outdoor family photos, I love soft neutrals and earthy tones.
Some of my favorite colors include:
• Cream and ivory
• Tan and beige
• Soft blue
• Dusty green
• Rust
• Brown
• Burgundy
• Mustard
• Denim
These colors photograph beautifully without competing with the natural surroundings.
What to Wear for Fall Family Photos
Fall is one of my favorite times of year for family photography in St. Louis.
The changing leaves give us beautiful warm colors, which means you can have a little more fun with your wardrobe.
Think cozy sweaters, dresses, boots, denim, corduroy, and layers.
Earthy colors like rust, olive, mustard, cream, brown, and burgundy look especially beautiful against the fall foliage.
Just remember that you don’t have to put everyone in orange, red, and yellow because it’s fall. 😂
A little color mixed with neutrals usually creates a much more timeless look.
Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns
Patterns aren’t off limits!
In fact, a subtle floral, plaid, stripe, or other pattern can add some visual interest to your family photos.
The trick is to avoid having everyone wear a different pattern.
If one family member is wearing a floral dress, for example, pull one or two colors from that dress and use those colors in the other outfits.
This creates a coordinated look without making everyone look like they’re wearing a uniform.
Add Different Textures
Texture is another easy way to make your family photos more interesting.
Try mixing:
• Knits
• Linen
• Denim
• Corduroy
• Sweaters
• Dresses
• Layered pieces
Even if everyone is wearing relatively neutral colors, different textures keep the outfits from looking flat.
And bonus, cozy sweaters and layers are perfect for those chilly fall family photography sessions in St. Louis.
Keep the Kids Comfortable
This might be the most important tip of all.
If your child hates what they’re wearing, we’re probably going to hear about it. 😂
Choose clothing that allows your kids to move comfortably.
During my family photography sessions, I don’t expect kids to sit perfectly still and smile at the camera for an hour. I want them to play, move, laugh, snuggle, and interact with you.
Those real moments are often my favorite photographs.
So if your toddler needs to run around in their dress or your little guy wants to wear his favorite boots, I’m probably going to say let them.
Don’t Forget About Mom
This is something I tell my clients all the time.
Moms tend to spend so much time planning everyone else’s outfits that they forget about themselves.
Please don’t do that.
Choose something that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable.
You don’t need to wait until you lose five pounds.
You don’t need to find the perfect outfit.
And you definitely don’t need to hide behind your kids.
You belong in these photographs, too.
Years from now, you’ll want to remember what your family looked like, but you’ll also want photographs of yourself loving on your babies.
What Should Dad Wear?
Dad doesn’t have to wear a button down shirt and khakis. Promise. 😂
Depending on the location and season, a nice sweater, henley, polo, button down, or simple tee layered with a jacket can work beautifully.
I typically recommend avoiding large logos and very bright colors.
Simple, classic pieces tend to photograph best and will keep the focus where it belongs: on your family.
What Should You Avoid?
There aren’t really any hard rules when it comes to family photography, but I generally recommend avoiding:
• Neon colors
• Large logos
• Extremely bold patterns
• Everyone wearing the exact same color
• Clothing that is uncomfortable or difficult to move in
• Anything you don’t feel like yourself wearing
And please don’t stress if everything isn’t absolutely perfect.
Your kids are going to move.
Someone’s hair will probably get messy.
Someone will probably need a snack.
And that’s okay.
That’s real life, and that’s what we’re photographing.
What If You Don’t Know What to Wear?
You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself!
As part of your experience with Jaclyn Miller Photography, I’ll help you plan your session, including outfit guidance and location suggestions.
I also have a client closet available for families who need a little extra help finding something to wear.
My goal is to make your family photography experience as relaxed and stress free as possible.
You already have enough things to worry about.
Your family photos shouldn’t be one of them.
Ready for Your St. Louis Family Photos?
If you’re looking for a St. Louis family photographer who wants your session to feel relaxed, fun, and genuine, I’d love to work with your family.
Whether you’re planning fall family photos, updating the artwork in your home, or simply want to document this stage of your family’s life, we’ll create images that feel like you.
I can’t wait to meet your family!
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