What to wear for a family photoshoot

You’ve booked your family photoshoot. Now comes the tricky bit… what on earth should we all wear? It’s probably the question I get asked most often, and the good news is: it doesn’t need to be stressful.

The goal isn’t to look like you’re all dressed for a magazine shoot. It’s to feel like you, just slightly more pulled together.

Here are a few tips (with colour ideas):

 

1. Choose colours that go nicely together

You don’t need to match exactly. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. Instead, try picking a colour palette of 2 to 4 tones that work well together, then build around those shades.

Here are a couple of combos that work really well:

Soft neutrals
Cream, beige, dusty pink, olive green, denim blue

Warm autumn tones
Rust, mustard, forest green, navy, chocolate brown

Let each person wear different items from the group of colours – one in olive trousers, another in a denim dress, someone else in a mustard jumper. It’ll look coordinated without being too “matchy”!

 

2. Dress for the setting (and the weather)

Think about where you’ll be having your shoot. If it’s at the beach or in a bright indoor space, lighter colours like whites, pale blues, and sandy tones work beautifully. In the woods or the city, richer, deeper shades tend to look better.

Beach shoots
White, pale blue, stone, sage green

Forest, parks, or city shoots
Burnt orange, burgundy, deep teal, charcoal

 

And don’t forget the season! You want to be comfortable. In winter, layers like jumpers, scarves and cosy jackets look great and keep you warm. In summer, lighter fabrics like linen or cotton are ideal.

 

3. Keep it classic (but still you)

Simple dresses, chinos, cardigans, or shirts work really well. Things that feel familiar, but just a little more polished than your everyday look.

Try to avoid big logos, bold text, or cartoon characters. They can be distracting in photos, especially when we want the focus to be on your faces and connections.

 

4. Maybe add some texture and layers

Adding texture can really help give your images some depth.

• Chunky knits
• Linen or corduroy
• Denim jackets
• Wool scarves

 

5. Think about shoes (yes, really)

Shoes often get overlooked, but they do show up in photos! Keep them simple and neutral if you can. For outdoor shoots, boots, sandals, or clean trainers usually work well. And if we’re shooting on the beach or in a field, barefoot is totally fine and often looks lovely.