Great family photo outfits come from a small palette, not matching clothes: pick two or three colors that suit the setting, give each person one or two of them, add one pattern at most, and choose soft textures that photograph well. That's the core of the color guide that works for nearly every family. Here is the full version, set by set.
The three rules to start with
Every palette below follows the same three rules. If you remember nothing else, remember these.
- Coordinate, don't match. Four people in identical white shirts and jeans look like a uniform. Four people in different pieces from the same three colors look like a family.
- Two or three colors, plus neutrals. Choose your main colors, then fill in with cream, gray, denim, tan or navy. Neutrals hold everything together.
- One pattern, at most. A floral dress or a plaid shirt can anchor the whole group. Two big patterns side by side start to fight.
A trick that helps: start with the one outfit you love most, often a patterned dress or a sweater, and pull the other colors from it.
Palettes for holiday sets
Christmas. Deep red, forest green, cream and camel. Put red on one or two people, not everyone. A cream knit sweater next to one red dress and a green plaid shirt is the classic look. For more ideas, see what to wear for Christmas family photos.
Winter wonderland. Icy blue, soft gray, silver, navy and winter white. Avoid head-to-toe bright white: against a snowy set, people disappear. Chunky knits, faux fur collars and velvet look great here.
Hanukkah. Navy, royal or dusty blue, cream, silver and a touch of gold. Rich fabrics like velvet and satin catch the candlelight feel of the set.
New Year. Black, champagne, gold, and deep jewel tones. One sparkly piece goes a long way.
Palettes for spring, summer and fall sets
Valentine's. Blush, dusty rose, burgundy and cream. Bright red on everyone is a lot; one red piece among softer pinks looks more grown-up.
Easter and spring. Pastels: butter yellow, sage green, lavender, powder blue and soft pink, with white or cream. Light cotton, linen and little florals all work. Pick two pastels, not five, or the group starts to look like a candy bowl.
Mother's and Father's Day. Soft neutrals with one accent color you love. These sessions are about the relationship, so keep clothes quiet and let faces lead.
Autumn and Thanksgiving. Rust, mustard, olive, burgundy, cream and warm brown. Corduroy, knits, suede boots and flannel all photograph beautifully against a pumpkin-and-leaves set. This is the easiest palette to get right.
Halloween. Costumes, of course. If only the kids dress up, parents look best in black, charcoal or a single orange accent so the costumes stay the stars. If you're doing a family theme, see our Halloween family photoshoot ideas.
Palettes for milestone and classic sessions
Classic family portraits. Neutrals with one color: cream, oatmeal, gray, denim and white, plus navy, sage or dusty blue as the accent. These photos stay on the wall for years, so timeless matters more than trendy.
Newborn. Parents in soft neutrals: cream, beige, light gray, white. Fitted tops are better than baggy ones when you're holding a tiny baby close. Skip anything with buttons or sequins that could scratch.
Maternity. A fitted dress or a stretchy top that shows the bump, in a solid color. Partners and kids in neutrals that sit beside it. Our maternity outfit guide goes into detail.
Big families. With ten or more people, give each branch of the family one assigned color from a shared palette. It makes the group look planned without anyone buying anything new. More in our big family photoshoot guide.
Textures that work, and what to avoid
Texture is what makes simple clothes look rich in photos.
- Knits. Chunky sweaters, cardigans, cable knits. Great for fall and winter.
- Linen and cotton. Soft, natural, perfect for spring.
- Velvet. Lovely for holidays, especially in deep colors.
- Denim. A neutral that works with almost everything.
- Tulle and soft florals. Kids' dresses that move when they twirl.
Mixing textures within the same color, like a cream knit next to a cream linen dress, looks thoughtful and calm.
And the things that most often cause problems:
- Logos, slogans and characters. They pull the eye straight away from faces.
- Neon and very bright colors. They reflect color onto skin and are hard to correct.
- Tiny stripes and tight checks. They can shimmer strangely in photos.
- Head-to-toe black or head-to-toe white. Black loses shape, white loses detail. Use them as one piece among others.
- Brand-new shoes and scratchy fabrics. If it's uncomfortable, kids will tell the camera with their faces. Wear it once at home first.
- Clothes that don't fit yet. Buying a size up "to grow into" looks baggy in photos.
Getting the whole family ready
A few practical steps that save stress on the day:
- Lay everything out together a week before. Put all outfits on a bed or the floor and take a phone photo. You'll see straight away if anything stands out.
- Iron the night before. Wrinkles show more on camera than in a mirror.
- Pack a backup for the kids. Spills happen, usually right before the first photo.
- Dress small children last. Travel in comfortable clothes and change just before the session.
- Think about shoes. In full-length photos, shoes show. Clean, simple shoes, or bare feet for little ones, work best.
For the non-wardrobe side of getting kids ready, read how to prepare kids for photos. And if you're also booking headshots, our headshot outfit guide has its own rules.
Quick answers
Should our family wear the same color?
Not exactly the same. Choose a shared palette of two or three colors and let each person wear different pieces from it. That looks cohesive without looking like a uniform.
Does the photographer provide outfits?
Usually not. Some studios include backdrops and accessories, and a few keep a small wardrobe of dresses or props, so check the photographer's profile. Plan to bring your own clothes.
Can we change outfits during the session?
In a session with two sets or backdrops, a quick change between sets works well. Keep it to one change so you don't lose photo time.
Find your photographer
Browse family photographers in New York City and Long Island, check which sets they offer, and choose your palette to match.