After years of photographing families, I can say with 100 percent certainty that most clients find picking outfits for everyone in their family to be the most stressful and difficult part of a photography experience. 

I get it — you want to look good but have to balance between buying new things or looking in the closet for what’s already there plus keeping in mind things like changing weather and comfort. Do you all match? Kind of match? Do your own thing? 

Let me preface this by saying that there really is no “wrong” answer to what to wear for your photo session. Some of my favorite photos sessions featured muddy pants or skinned knees. One session had a very sassy girl with a huge personality in a hot dog costume.

But, here’s some tips to hopefully make the family photo outfit planning just a bit easier. 

1. Comfortable kids are happy kids.

As tempting as it is to put on shiny new dress shoes and brand new sweaters, I promise you that new blisters and itchy arms will never create a happy, smiling kiddo in a photo session. If you’re getting new items, try them on a few times before the session date. Also, keep in mind the weather. Cold kids or overly hot kids (or adults for that matter) have a hard time enjoying themselves. 

2. Start with the one outfit that won’t change.

If someone in your family has a definite outfit option — whether it’s Dad in his khakis and button-down shirt or your daughter’s favorite dress, start there and use that as your reference point for everyone else.

3. Show some personalities.

Consider letting your kids wear their favorite colors. Or, let them bring a fun accessory to bring out at the end (a new toy? Some fun sunglasses? A magic wand? A football). It will keep your kiddos engaged and will most definitely help to display their true personalities.

4. Find a middle ground between “mismatched” and “matchy-matchy.”

For the most part, the ensembles that mesh the best are the ones that aren’t totally matching but have common and consistent colors or elements between them all — whether it’s a pop of one or two colors in each outfit, everyone wearing flannels or the kids matching while the adults carry a more neutral feel.

5. Plan for your backdrops, seasons and celebrations.

Photo sessions can be whatever you want them to be and no two family photo sessions — even back-to-back ones at the same location — look or feel the same with Wendy Zook Photography. We’ll talk before your session about the feel you’re going for — lots of greens, some water, a more urban feel, etc. Plan your outfits not just around the season we’re photographing but also for the backgrounds that will be in the back of your family photos. If we’re doing mostly greens, you don’t want to wear too much emerald or olive or you might get “lost” in the photos. If we have our eyes on a fun white brick wall, try and avoid a white shirt.

There are so many options for what to wear to your family photo session and I’m here to help you every step of the way. Let’s go capture some memories!