what to Wear for Family Photos
Ashley Aria
Photography
Choosing what to wear for family photos can feel overwhelming for many parents, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right colors, textures, and simple styling choices, your family can look beautifully coordinated and timeless in every season. This guide breaks down outfit ideas for spring, summer, fall, and winter so you can walk into your session feeling confident and camera‑ready. AND! you can use clothing you already have to achieve each of these looks.
Why Choosing the right outfits matters for your family
Clothing does more than cover the body — it sets the emotional tone of your images. Soft neutrals create a dreamy, airy feel. Rich earth tones feel warm and nostalgic. Cool hues feel crisp and timeless. When your outfits match the season’s natural colors, your photos instantly “pop” without trying too hard.
Something that I always tell my families is that, you don’t need designer clothing or complicated outfits. In my experience, simple pieces, styled intentionally, photograph better than anything flashy. It’s the pairing, the textures, and the harmony that make the magic. So here are a few of my favorite color pallets I love to present to moms!
The Ember & Midnight Palette: Bold Blues and Burnt Orange for Fall Photos
Some families want photos that feel bold, cinematic, and full of contrast — and that’s where The Ember & Midnight Palette shines. This palette blends deep navy and midnight blues with warm ember tones like burnt orange, muted red, soft beige, and smoky greys. It’s dramatic without being loud, timeless without feeling traditional, and incredibly flattering in both fall and winter landscapes. A varied mixture of these colors create this bold look.
Deep navy
Midnight blue
Burnt orange
Rust or muted red
Charcoal grey
Soft beige
Warm cream
This palette creates a stunning visual contrast that makes your family stand out beautifully against nature. The dark blues ground the image with richness and depth, while the warm ember tones add life, warmth, and a subtle glow. I have photographed many families in this color palette and I have found that it’s especially gorgeous during fall where there is beautiful foiliage or during winter when the leaves have fallen and the outdoors looks dry! These colors make a statement in winter-like environments!
It’s the perfect palette for families who want photos that feel moody, artistic, and cinematic. And just like every palette in your guide, this one doesn’t require expensive clothing. A simple navy sweater, a rust‑colored dress, a beige cardigan — when styled together with intention, they create images that look magazine‑worthy.
Here are my go-to styling tips for this palette.
Let one family member wear one of the statement colors (burnt orange, rust, or warm red).
Balance it with others in navy, grey, or beige. If you’re going for the most boldness, adding navy does the job.
Add texture: knits, corduroy, wool, or layered neutrals.
Keep patterns minimal — solids make the palette shine.
The Deepwater Palette: Rich Navy and Soft Blues for Timeless, Cinematic Photos
Some families are drawn to photos that feel calm, moody, and quietly powerful — and The Deepwater Palette captures that energy beautifully. This palette blends rich navy, inky black, and soft, misty blues, creating a look that feels both modern and timeless. I believe these colors are especially stunning in winter, late summer, or any location with neutral or muted surroundings. Colors include:
Deep navy
Midnight blue
Black
Slate blue
Soft sky blue
Cool grey
Off‑white or cream as a gentle highlight
Maybe I’m biased because my favorite colors consist of different shades of blue, and when you’re choosing what to wear for family photos, you should totally consider using my favorite color! But, in my opinion, The Deepwater Palette creates a visual mood that is both serene and dramatic. The darker tones ground the image with depth and richness, while the lighter blues add softness and balance. Together, they create a cinematic contrast that photographs beautifully in winter landscapes and near water! (beaches, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls).
This palette is perfect for families who want photos that feel clean, modern, and quietly emotional.
Let one person wear the darkest tone (navy or black) to anchor the palette. OR let only one person wear the lighter tone!
Use light blue or soft grey on children for a gentle, airy contrast.
Add texture through sweaters, denim, or layered neutrals.
Keep patterns minimal — solids and subtle textures photograph best.
Incorporate cream or off‑white sparingly to brighten the overall look
This too doesn’t require those expensive, hard to find clothing! A simple navy sweater, a light blue dress, a black jacket, or a soft grey knit can come together to create photos that feel polished and intentional.
scarlet, sand, & stone Palette - For modern, romantic portraits
The Scarlet, Sand, & Stone Palette blends warm and dark reds with soft beige, grounded blacks, and classic khaki or dark brown for a look that feels bold, timeless, and beautifully balanced. It photographs well in every season — warm in fall, crisp in winter, and effortlessly stylish year‑round. If you’re wondering what to wear for family photos during any point of the year, these colors work really well!
Deep red or rust
Soft beige
Black
Khaki or warm tan
Red adds a pop of warmth, beige softens the look, black grounds everything, and khaki brings in an earthy, natural tone. Together, they create a palette that feels modern, cohesive, and flattering for every family member. The colors look very good with stormy blue skies as well. To get the most out of this palette, I suggest:
Use red sparingly as your statement color.
Pair black with beige or khaki for balance.
Add texture: knits, denim, linen, or corduroy.
Keep patterns simple so the colors stay the focus.
Think warm, modern, grounded, and effortlessly put‑together. This palette creates photos that feel both bold and timeless without needing anything extravagant.
The Spring Blossom Palette: For Happy, light, and fresh Spring Portraits
A gentle mix of:
Blush
Sage
Cream
Soft lavender
Light blue
This palette blends beautifully with blooming trees and fresh greenery. Spring light is soft and diffused, so lighter tones feel natural and romantic. Flowing fabrics add movement, and soft textures keep everything feeling fresh. Here are my favorite styling tips for this pallette.
Choose dresses with movement — chiffon, cotton, or linen.
Keep patterns subtle: tiny florals or soft stripes.
Layer with light cardigans or denim jackets for depth.
Aim for a soft, airy vibe that feels effortless.
The harvest glow palette: Warm Reds, Golden Yellows, Earthy Browns
for late fall photos
The Harvest Glow Palette is perfect for families who want photos that feel warm, vibrant, and full of fall magic. When choosing what to wear for family photos, I would say that this fall palette is the easiest! This palette blends rusty reds, golden yellows, earthy browns, and deep blues, creating a look that pops beautifully against autumn leaves and golden-hour light. Colors in this palette include:
Mustard or golden yellow
Rust or brick red
Chestnut brown
Tan or warm beige
Deep navy or midnight blue
Warm tones echo the season’s natural colors, while deep blues add contrast and richness. Browns ground the palette, making everything feel earthy and cohesive. It’s bold without being overwhelming — perfect for fall sessions or late-summer evenings.
Choose one statement color (yellow or red) and balance it with navy or brown.
Add texture: knits, denim, corduroy, suede.
Keep patterns simple — small plaids or subtle stripes.
Use cream or beige to soften and brighten the overall look.
Think golden leaves, warm sunlight, cozy sweaters, and denim jackets. This palette feels nostalgic, inviting, and richly textured — and it photographs beautifully with simple, well‑paired pieces rather than anything extravagant.
The Dark ember palette: blacks and browns for sunset or stormy skies
The Golden Ember Palette blends deep blacks with warm browns, creating a look that glows beautifully in golden hour and feels bold and moody under stormy skies. It’s simple, earthy, and incredibly flattering — perfect for families who want photos that feel warm, grounded, and editorial. When choosing what wear for family photos, you may wonder if these photos are too ‘dark’ emotionally. However, I personally love how powerful and striking these portraits feel! The colors include a variation of:
Black
Espresso brown
Chestnut
Caramel
Tan
Cream
Dark Ember works well during golden hour: browns warm up and glow, while black adds contrast. On stormy days: the darker tones blend with the sky, creating a dramatic, cinematic mood. I also love how it creates depth in skin tones!
Use black as the anchor piece.
Layer browns and tans for warmth and depth.
Choose textured fabrics like knits, suede, denim, or leather.
Keep patterns minimal so the tones and light can shine. Here you can think warm earth, soft shadows, glowing edges, and effortless style. This palette photographs beautifully with simple, well‑paired pieces — no extravagant outfits needed.
The Evergreen Depths Palette: Dark Greens for Moody, Nature‑Rich Photos
The Evergreen Depths Palette is perfect for families who want photos that feel earthy, rich, and deeply connected to nature. Dark greens photograph beautifully in forests, fields, and even stormy weather — creating a moody, grounded look that feels timeless and organic. To create this mood, the colors used are:
Deep forest green
Pine green
Olive
Moss
Charcoal
Cream or soft beige
Dark greens blend seamlessly with natural landscapes while still giving your family a bold, cohesive look. They glow softly during golden hour and become beautifully dramatic under cloudy or stormy skies. The tones feel calm, earthy, and effortlessly elevated.
Use forest green as the anchor color.
Mix in olive or moss for variation and depth.
Add neutrals like cream or beige to soften the palette.
Choose textured fabrics: knits, linen, denim, or corduroy.
Keep patterns minimal so the greens stay the focus.
Think deep woods, soft shadows, misty mornings, and grounded elegance. This palette creates photos that feel natural, moody, and beautifully styled — You could use either extravagant, classy, or even boho outfits to create a high-end, emerald or nature-like glow to your photos!
Bringing it all together
Choosing outfits for family photos doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Most families are surprised by how many great pieces they already have hanging in their closets — cozy knits, simple neutrals, denim, soft textures, or that one dress or sweater everyone loves. And if you prefer to shop online, finding pieces that fit your palette is easier than ever. A few intentional choices go a long way.
What matters most is choosing colors that feel like your family — tones that match your home, your season of life, and the vibe you naturally gravitate toward. When you choose a palette that reflects who you are, the photos always feel more authentic and timeless.
No matter which color scheme you choose, your session will turn out beautifully. Your family’s connection, warmth, and personality are what make the images meaningful — the palette simply enhances what’s already there. I can’t wait to help you create photos that feel true to your story and look stunning in your home.
Lets create the unforgettable
If you’re dreaming of photos that feel beautifully styled and true to your family, I’m here to help. Every session includes guidance on choosing the perfect color palette — one that fits the season, photographs beautifully, and blends naturally with your home’s decor and overall family vibe. Together, we’ll create a look that feels intentional, effortless, and uniquely yours.
When you’re ready to book your family photos, I’ll look forward to help you choose outfits that make your portraits feel like you!
If you'd like extra help posing for your family photos, check out this helpful blog!
Photographers- new to children's portraits? - Check out this blog from Photography Talk!
Get to know me
Hey! My name is Ashley! I am a portrait photographer in Atlanta, Ga! Since 2020, I have I specialized in family, children, baby, and maternity portraits! I have a small studio for babies and children where I am to capture their wonderful personalities! Furthermore, I love to photograph beautiful families in many incredible locations in Atlanta, Ga and beyond! Also! I enjoy traveling to different locations around the world and capturing families in whatever season of life they are in! So, let’s have some fun and make memories that are unforgettable 🙂