You probably chose your photographer because something in their portfolio caught you. Maybe you couldn’t say exactly what it was. The light felt a certain way. The images seemed calm, or editorial, or warm. Everything just fit. Ask most people to explain it and you’ll get something like, “I don’t know, I just really liked how it looked.”
A big part of what creates that cohesive feel in a portfolio is clothing. Not in an obvious way. In an absence-of-distraction way. The outfits in the images you loved probably didn’t pull your attention. They sat quietly in the frame and let the faces, the light, and the connection between people do all the work. That’s not accidental.
This guide covers everything you need to know about what to wear for family photos, from building your palette to practical tips for each family member. But before getting into the specifics, it helps to understand why following your photographer’s advice actually matters.
Why Your Photographer’s Outfit Advice Is Worth Following
Every photographer has a particular editing style and an overall aesthetic. Mine runs toward the creamy, neutral, and minimal. Soft tones, clean whites, natural skin, restrained color. The images clients tend to respond to in my portfolio have a specific look, and the clothing in those images tends toward soft neutrals and flowing fabrics. Those tones photograph beautifully with the way I light and edit my images. Bright, saturated colors fight it. Dark clothing fights it. Heavy patterns pull the eye away from faces and toward the clothing.
When I make outfit suggestions, I’m not telling you what I personally think is stylish or what would look good on you. Chances are, we haven’t met yet, so how would I know? I’m telling you what works with the style of work you already said you wanted when you chose this studio. If you love the look of the portfolio, following the outfit advice is really just part of getting there.
So when we talk about color palettes and fabric choices and what to skip, think of it less as a list of rules and more as: these are the kinds of pieces that show up in the images you fell in love with. Wear those, and your photos will feel like the ones that made you reach out in the first place.
Start with a Color Palette (Not Matching Outfits)
The most practical thing you can do before picking individual pieces is decide on a color palette. Sometimes you know ahead of time what colors you’d like to wear, and sometimes the palette is determined by a dress you fell in love with or a room you want to display the photos in. Choose 2-4 coordinating colors and build everyone’s outfits within that range. Coordinated looks significantly more natural in photos than matched. Matching tends to read as stiff and a little dated.
Simple, neutral tones work best with my photography style: creams, whites, soft browns, blush, taupe, warm gray, dusty pink, light sage. Nothing heavily saturated, nothing dark. The goal is for the family to look visually cohesive without looking like they got dressed in different sizes of the same outfit.
One thing worth thinking about before you open your closet: where do you want to display your images? If your home leans warm and earthy, a palette of cream and camel and soft rust will translate beautifully onto a wall. If your decor runs cooler and more minimal, soft grays and cool neutrals will feel more at home. It’s a small consideration but you’ll be thankful you thought of it before printing and framing your photos.
If You’re Shooting Outdoors, Season Matters
Connecticut has four very distinct seasons, and the backdrop shifts completely with each one. Summer grass is deep, saturated green. Fall goes golden and amber. Spring brings blooming trees in pale pink and white. Winter can be anything from snow-covered fields to bare gray branches.
This matters when you’re picking a palette. A green dress against a green summer field tends to disappear into the background. That same green dress walking into fall, with golden foliage behind it, could work beautifully. A dusty pink feels right in spring among the blooming trees. A warm camel reads well in fall in a way it might not in high summer.
The goal is to coordinate with the environment, not match it. When your palette complements what’s happening in the background, the images feel like they belong there. When it fights the environment, something feels off even if you can’t name why. I have outfit guides specifically for fall family photo sessions and spring family photo outfits if you want seasonal-specific ideas.
Studio vs. Outdoor: Does the Setting Change What You Wear?
A little. The core advice is the same in both settings: soft neutrals, coordinated palettes, no logos or heavy patterns. What shifts is context.
Outdoor sessions give you slightly more room with color. The natural backdrop does some of the visual work on its own, which means a dusty blue or a warm terracotta can read beautifully against trees or open fields. Layers and textures also show up especially well outdoors. Linen, lightweight knits, a scarf draped over a jacket in cooler weather: all of that adds depth and makes images feel richer without adding busy color.
Studio sessions tend to work best with a slightly cleaner, more contained palette. The backdrop is neutral by design, so clothing becomes more prominent. Soft whites, creams, and muted tones feel most cohesive in the studio, and adding visual interest through fabric rather than color is the move here. A waffle-knit sweater, a subtly textured dress, a soft linen shirt reads as interesting without competing with anything else in the frame.
What to Wear for Family Photos: Tips for Each Person
For moms: Simple, neutral tones in muted shades work best. Flowing maxi or midi dresses in soft fabrics photograph really well, especially anything with subtle texture like lace, gauze, or loose linen. Fitted tops work too, but softer, more relaxed silhouettes tend to translate better in this style of work. Bohemian or peasant-style dresses are a consistent favorite.
For dads and partners: Chinos or casual bottoms in light or muted tones. Solid-colored tops: Henleys, t-shirts, casual button-downs, or a soft crew-neck sweater. Layers add depth without overthinking it. A t-shirt under a crew-neck or a casual jacket is an easy formula that holds up well.
For kids: Little girls do well in simple, neutral-toned dresses or rompers with a bit of texture or feminine detail. Include bloomers so diapers or underwear don’t show, and a lightweight cardigan works well on cooler days. Little boys look great in linen or cotton shirts with soft chinos or shorts. Suspenders add a nice layering element if you want something a little extra.
For shoes (or no shoes): Barefoot is always an option and often the best one for babies and young children. If parents also go barefoot, just make sure toenails are neatly groomed. If you prefer shoes, keep them simple and neutral: sandals, loafers, canvas slip-ons, oxfords, and clean boots all photograph well. Avoid sneakers with heavy branding or athletic styling.
What Not to Wear
Skipping a few specific things can make as much difference as anything you add.
Avoid anything with logos, graphics, or bold patterns. These pull the eye directly away from faces and tend to look dated quickly in photos. Black and other dark colors fight the editing and make balancing skin tones harder. The white-and-khaki look has been done often enough that it now reads more as a trend than a timeless choice.
Baseball caps and brimmed hats cast shadows over faces. High-collared shirts look stiff in what should be relaxed, candid images. Large hair bows on kids tend to dominate the frame. Business or formal wear almost always looks out of place in a family portrait session, even if it seems like it might come across as polished.
Resources That Make the Process Easier
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
The studio wardrobe is available for both studio and outdoor sessions at no extra charge. It includes options for moms, partners, and kids, with a focus on neutral tones, soft textures, and pieces that photograph well across different session types. The best way to use it is to schedule a complimentary wardrobe consultation a couple of weeks before your session. That gives us time to pull pieces, see how they coordinate, and order anything that needs filling in. If we’re working in the studio and you’d rather browse at the start of your session, that works too – just come prepared with backup options just in case!
I also have an Amazon Storefront and a ShopMy storefront filled with curated outfit ideas and individual pieces selected to photograph well and work together. Each is updated regularly, and you can shop directly or use it purely for inspiration. Some reliable spots for women’s pieces include Free People, Anthropologie, Lulu’s, and Vici Collection. For men, Gap, Old Navy, and Target are solid. For kids, Zara, H&M, Gap Kids, and Amazon all have great options.
You can also view my Pinterest board with shoppable outfit ideas and color palette inspiration. And if you pull something together and want a second opinion before committing, send a photo or a link. I’m always here to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Coordinated looks better than matched. Pick a palette of 2-4 colors and build each person’s outfit within that range. The result reads as more natural and typically photographs much better.
It’s not recommended. Dark colors, especially black, tend to work against the neutral, creamy editing style that makes images feel cohesive. They can make balancing skin tones harder and often feel heavier than expected in print or on a wall.
Yes, it’s complimentary for all sessions, studio and outdoor. The wardrobe includes options for moms, partners, and kids, with a focus on neutral tones and soft fabrics. You can schedule a consultation ahead of your session, browse at the start, or both.
Simple and neutral. Sandals, loafers, canvas slip-ons, oxfords, and clean boots all photograph well. Avoid anything with heavy branding or athletic styling. Barefoot is always an option, especially for young kids.
Yes. There are separate guides for fall family photos and spring family photos with specific ideas and shopping picks for each season.
When you’re ready to book a Connecticut family portrait session, I’ll send over the full session prep guide with wardrobe details, location info, and everything else you need to feel ready before you arrive. Questions before then? Send me a note and I’m happy to help you figure out your outfits.
Kelli Dease is a Farmington, Connecticut newborn and family photographer specializing in timeless, light-filled maternity and newborn portraits, baby and children’s photography, and family portraits. She offers a relaxed, full-service experience for growing families, creating in-studio and outdoor portraits with a focus on simplicity and ease. Clients receive access to a curated studio wardrobe, thoughtful guidance throughout the planning and session process, and digital images, with the option to add fine art prints and albums. Please contact Kelli Dease Photography today to find out about session availability.
Kelli Dease Photography serves families throughout Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Canton, West Hartford, Burlington, Granby, and the surrounding Farmington Valley, Hartford County, and central Connecticut areas.
To see more of Kelli’s photos, please follow her on Instagram.
