“What do we even wear?!”

If you’ve ever planned family photos, you’ve probably asked yourself this at least a dozen times.

And you’re not alone! This is the #1 thing people stress about before their session.

You want everyone to look coordinated but not overly styled.

You want timeless, not trendy.

There’s a simple way to put together outfits that feel natural, effortless, and uniquely YOU—without the stress.

I’m breaking it all down so you can stop overthinking and start feeling excited about your session.

And even if your husband is like MY husband and insists that this is the year he wants to wear a Hawaiian shirt, we can make that work!!

Mom Picks First!

Here’s the deal—if Mom doesn’t feel confident, the whole session is going to feel off.

So instead of stressing over coordinating the entire family first, start with what makes YOU feel amazing!

Maybe it’s that flowy midi dress that makes you feel effortlessly put together, or a cozy oversized sweater that keeps you comfy but still polished. Whatever it is, pick your outfit first. Then, use it as the anchor for everyone else.

Once you’ve got your outfit, look at its colors, textures, and overall vibe.

If your dress is a soft floral, your family can pull from those colors—maybe your partner wears a muted blue shirt, and your kids wear solid neutrals with a tiny pop of a matching color in their accessories.

This way, everyone looks coordinated without looking like they came in a matching set from a catalog.

The last thing I want to add here is that you’ll need to factor in the location of your photo shoot. I made the decision of choosing to wear a super cute pantsuit for my family’s beach photo session last year… which included an unfortunate middle crotch seam. Let’s just say when the wind blew during our shoot the seam was NOT family photo appropriate…. YIKES. I will NEVER be making that mistake again, and now I know to warn all my moms about wearing a jumpsuit to their beach photo session.

Start with a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits

Super matchy outfits can quickly make your family look like an awkward 90s holiday card.

Instead of dressing everyone in the same color, pick 3-4 colors that work well together and spread them out among family members.

Here’s a trick: Look at your home décor. The colors you naturally gravitate toward in your home are likely the ones you’ll love in your photos!

A good balance of solids and subtle patterns is key.

If Dad wears a plaid shirt, let Mom go for a solid dress, and have the kids in a mix of soft textures and layers to add depth.

Many times the color palette compliments your family’s overall personality. If you naturally gravitate towards pastel colors, don’t feel obliged to go earthy just because you feel like it’s the newest trend. We want you to feel confident and ensure these photos are a genuine reflection of your family.

Dress for Your Location & Season

Your background plays a huge role in how your outfits look.

If you’re shooting in a green park, avoid wearing too much green or you’ll blend right into the scenery. Instead, earth tones, soft blues, or warm rust colors will help your family stand out beautifully.

One mistake people make? Dressing for the “look” instead of the weather. If it’s 95 degrees in the summer, ditch the heavy layers. And for winter sessions, layer in a way that still looks put together—think chic wool coats, scarves, and cute boots rather than giant puffy jackets.

Let’s be honest: this is FLORIDA. There is a good chance that you’ll be wearing short sleeves in December and that is a-ok. It is better to be comfortable than it is to be “seasonable”.

Avoid Distracting Logos & Graphics

Your toddler’s favorite superhero shirt? Adorable. Just maybe not for the family photo. 😂

Anything with big logos, text, or neon colors is going to pull attention away from what really matters—your faces and connection.

If your kid is really resisting wearing a nicer outfit over a favorite, feel free to let them know if they wear the nicer outfit first we would love to do a special outfit change at the end and wear the clothes THEY are rooting for. You may even be pleasantly surprised that you’ll even want to choose a few of them after you see your baby’s massive smile in it!

Consider Movement & Comfort

Family photos aren’t about standing stiffly and posing like statues anymore. They’re about movement, playfulness, and real moments. That means your outfits need to move with you!

For moms, dresses with a little flow photograph beautifully.

For kids, avoid anything too tight, stiff, or itchy—they’ll be uncomfortable, which means less patience and more meltdowns.

For dads/partners, layers always look good. A lightweight jacket or open button-up shirt over a solid tee adds depth without bulk. Avoid stiff dress shirts that wrinkle easily or make movement feel awkward.

Here’s the thing—your family photos aren’t about the outfits.

They’re about your people, your love, and the little moments in between.

But when you feel comfortable, confident, and put together, it makes the entire experience smoother and more fun.

So if you’ve been stressing about what to wear, take a deep breath. Start with Mom’s outfit, pick a simple color palette, dress for the setting, and focus on comfort.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s capturing your family’s connection in a way that feels natural and true to you!

Need some outfit ideas?

Here are four great online shops to find stylish, photo-friendly pieces:

● Baltic Born – Flowy, flattering dresses that photograph beautifully for moms.

● Marshalls – Affordable, neutral basics for kids and adults that mix and match easily.

● Jamie Kay – High-quality, soft fabrics for babies and toddlers in muted, timeless colors.

● Janie & Jack: timeless, quality outfits for kids with some super sweet styles

● Etsy: the perfect place to find quality, unique finds that you can even customize to suit your and your family’s style and size

Wherever you shop, keep it simple, comfortable, and true to your style.

Client Wardrobe Available to You and Your Family

Feeling overwhelmed and not having any idea where to start? Before you go out and try to coordinate and buy all new clothing for your family photo shoot, take a peek at the client wardrobe that is immediately available to you! I have a wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors for you to choose from. There is also a large collection of kids’ clothes so making sure your family is well coordinated and looking good can be as easy as clicking on this site and seeing what styles best fit you and your family. And if you need to try anything on beforehand, just let me know and we can arrange a good time for you to come take a look at outfits in person.

Ready to book your St. Augustine family session? Let’s make it happen—Click here to book your family photos before busy season starts and spots start running low!