What to Wear for Family Photos | Fall Family Outfits | Tips from a Mankato Photographer
“But Ellen, what do we wear?!” As much as we love having updated family photos, I know we don’t always love choosing outfits for everyone. I understand it can be a bit daunting to pick out outfits for the whole family. That’s why I’m always happy to help my clients select outfits for their photos! All of my clients receive a Client Experience Guide that includes a ton of information on how to prep for the session and it also includes styling tips!
But let’s share some freebies right here right now!
Here are a few tips for choosing outfits for family photos:
1.- Start with mom
I always recommend to pick out mom’s outfit FIRST when choosing family outfits. Why? We want mom to feel amazing! Because if mom feels good, then she’s more likely to love the photos! And if mom loves the photos, usually everyone else does too 😉 Plus moms so often put themselves last during day-to-day life….so let’s give mom an excuse to pamper herself!
2.- Avoid matchy-matchy
Instead of having the whole family dressed up in the same flannel or white t-shirt and jeans, choose outfits that coordinate together rather than perfectly match. Coordination is key!
3.- Pick two or three colors
This ties in with tip #2. Choose 2 or 3 colors that blend well and compliment one another to implement into your outfits. This will help you avoid being too matchy-matchy and will provide beautiful dynamics to your photos. To add more interest, you can use different shades of colors. And to add even MORE variety and pop, add different prints, textures, and types of fabrics.
These are just some of the tips I provide to my clients. I have even more tips and tricks!
So now let’s look at some inspiration for fall family outfits!
Family Outfit Idea #1
You can see two colors were chosen (red and tan). Some interest was added with different textures (see difference between little girl’s dress and mom’s dress) and patterns (dad’s shirt). You can even add a pop of style with the shoes!
Family Outfit #2
These outfits are based on an anchor outfit (the little boy’s shirt). Everyone’s outfit color can be found in the plaid shirt. This allows everyone to compliment one another rather than match one another. Adding layers, like mom’s jean jacket, can also add contrast and interest to the photo.
Family Outfit #3
This is a great example of how even just by choosing different shades of a similar color family can provide enough contrast in outfits. Adding a pattern with mom’s shirt also helps break up the matchy-matchy.
All of these outfit choices can be found at Old Navy (Fall, 2022 styles). If you’re inspired, feel free to shop! But you definitely don’t need to buy all new clothes for your family photos. Take a look in your closet and you may be surprised what works well together!
If you want more help selecting the perfect outfit for your family photos, just send me a message and I’d be happy to help! I’ve always got your back!
