What to Wear for Your Outdoor Family Photoshoot (Without Overthinking It)

Let’s be real — figuring out what to wear for family photos can feel like its own kind of stress. You want everyone to look good, feel good, and not show up in clashing colors or outfits that scream “we planned this at the last minute.”

But don’t worry. I’ve got you.

Before we dive into the tips, let me paint a picture for you. Imagine this: you’re standing in a gorgeous Arizona desert surrounded by giant saguaros. The light is soft, there’s a breeze in the air, and little pink flowers are blooming on the cactus tops. You’re standing right in the middle of it all… wearing a dinosaur costume.

Okay, I laughed too, because honestly? That sounds like something I’d totally do for fun. But when it comes to your actual photos — the kind you want to frame and hang on your wall — the vibe matters. What you wear plays a huge part in the way your images feel, and how timeless they turn out.

Here are a few tips to help you choose outfits that look amazing, feel good, and let you shine.

1. Don’t Blend into the Background

This one’s big. Your outfit should pop against the scenery, not disappear into it. If we’re shooting in a desert or forest, wearing the exact same shade of green or brown might make you look like a floating head. Not ideal.

Instead, think about complementing the background. So if we’re surrounded by earthy tones, try wearing something soft and contrasting — like dusty rose, cream, rust, or slate blue. These colors bring out the natural beauty of the environment while keeping the attention on you.

That’s the goal. You in your element. Not you disappearing into the background.

2. Don’t Match, Coordinate

Let’s retire the ’90s denim-on-denim family photo look, shall we?

Instead of everyone wearing the same exact color (or matching shirts and jeans), aim to coordinate. This means picking a color palette and mixing tones, textures, and patterns that flow together.

Here’s a little trick: choose 2–3 main colors and build around them. Assign different dominant colors to each person, and weave in accent tones that connect everyone visually. For example, if your daughter’s wearing a soft pink dress, someone else could have a pink scarf or a neutral with pink undertones. It brings everything together without looking too “matchy.”

Bonus tip: lay all the outfits out on the bed before your session. If they look good together there, they’ll photograph beautifully too.

3. Choose Comfort Over Trend

I don’t care how cute that outfit is — if it’s itchy, stiff, or you can’t breathe in it, don’t wear it.

You’ll be moving around, hugging your family, and laughing with your kids. The last thing you want is to spend the session pulling on your shirt or fidgeting with a skirt that keeps riding up.

Wear something that makes you feel confident and at ease. And if you’ve got an area of your body you’re self-conscious about (we all do), choose outfits that flatter that area instead of fighting it. Flowy dresses, structured jackets, long sleeves — these are your friends.

And please, try on your clothes before the session day. Give them a test run so you know exactly how they feel.

At the end of the day, your family photo session is about you — your connection, your joy, your season of life. It’s not about having the “perfect” outfit. It’s about feeling like yourself and letting that shine through.

So if you hate skirts, don’t wear one. If your kid insists on boots instead of sneakers, that’s okay too. As long as you feel good, I promise it’ll show in your photos.

Let your outfits reflect your family’s personality, and I’ll take care of the rest.