A Simple Stress-Free Guide for Families Who Just Want This to Feel Easy
If you've found yourself thinking, "I'd love to take family photos, but I have no idea what to wear," you are not alone. Trying to coordinate outfits for multiple people — while juggling naps, laundry, school schedules, and everyday life — can quickly start to feel overwhelming.
But here’s the good news:
Your outfits do not need to be perfect.
The goal of your session is not to create a perfectly styled "Pinterest" version of your family. The goal is to document connection, personality, and this season of life in a way that feels honest and comfortable.
So, instead of overcomplicating things, I want to encourage you to focus on three simple things:
Comfort
Coordination
Soft, timeless tones
To make things even easier for you, I've put together some styling tips (plus a few Amazon outfit ideas) to help take some of the stress off your plate.
Start With Mom's Outfit First
When planning family outfits, I almost always suggest choosing mom's outfit first.
Why? Because once you find something you feel comfortable and confident in, it becomes much easier to coordinate everyone else around it.
For in-home sessions especially, dresses and flowy fabrics photograph beautifully because they create softness and movement.
Great options for moms
Flowy, neutral maxi dresses and/or comfortable sweaters with leggings or jeans. Soft, neutral colors such as sage green, cream, beige, and dusty blue.
Think "Coordinated" Not "Matching"
One of the biggest misconceptions about family photos is that everyone needs to match perfectly. In reality, the most timeless photos usually come from outfits that coordinate rather than match.
Instead of everyone wearing the exact same color, try choosing:
2-3 Complementary Tones
A Mix of Textures
Soft Neutrals
Subtle Patterns
For example:
Cream + Tan + Sage
Dusty Blue + Oatmeal + White
Warm Brown + Ivory + Muted Green
This helps your photos feel warm, natural, and visually balanced.
Soft Colors Photograph Best Indoors
Because in-home sessions tend to feel cozy and light-filled, softer tones usually photograph beautifully.
I recommend leaning toward:
Cream
Beige
Oatmeal
Soft White
Warm Gray
Dusty Blue
Sage Green
Rust
Muted Earth Tones
Try to stay away from:
Neon Colors
Bright Red/Orange
Large Logos
Busy Patterns
Athletic Clothing
Matching Graphic Tees
Textures Make a Huge Difference
One of the easiest ways to make photos feel elevated without trying too hard is incorporating textures, such as:
Knit Sweaters
Linen Fabrics
Ribbed Baby Outfits
Cotton Dresses
Waffle Textures
Muslin Swaddles
These little details add warmth and dimension to your images without feeling distracting.
Barefoot is Usually Perfect
For in-home sessions, I almost always recommend barefoot whenever possible.
It keeps the session feeling relaxed and natural — and helps the photos feel more connected to your actual home environment.
And as an added bonus, you don't need to stress about perfectly coordinating shoes!
What About Babies?
For babies, simple is always best. Some of my favorite options include:
Footed Pajamas in Neutral Tones
Easy Outfit Ideas for Dads
Dads do not need anything complicated.
In fact, simple almost always looks best.
Some easy go-to options:
Easy Outfit Ideas for Kids & Toddlers
The biggest thing with little ones?
Choose something they can comfortably move and play in.
If they’re uncomfortable, itchy, or constantly being adjusted, it usually shows.
Some simple options for the kids:
You Do NOT Need to Buy An
Entirely New Wardrobe
This is important. Please don’t feel pressure to spend hundreds of dollars preparing for your session. Some of the most meaningful sessions come from families wearing clothes they already own and feel comfortable in.
Sometimes all you need is:
One Neutral Dress
A Cozy Sweater
And Simple Outfits That Feel Like Your Family
That’s enough.
The Most Important Thing?
Your children are not going to remember exactly what everyone wore.
They’re going to remember:
being held,
laughing on the couch,
snuggling in your bed,
dancing in the kitchen,
and simply being together.
That’s what these photos are really about.
And I promise, connection will always matter more than perfectly coordinated outfits.
Need Help Deciding?
You do not need to figure this out alone. If you’d like help coordinating outfits for your session, feel free to send me photos or links to what you’re considering. I’m always happy to help families put together something that feels natural, cohesive, and true to them.
I truly cannot wait to document this season for your family.
~ Sam
