What to Wear for Family Photos:
A Simple Guide for Phoenix Families
HOW TO COORDINATE FAMILY PHOTO OUTFITS WITHOUT THE STRESS
If you've ever planned family photos, you probably know the question that comes up almost immediately: "Okay... but what are we supposed to wear?"
It sounds simple until you're coordinating adults, kids, a toddler with very strong opinions, and possibly a dog who has decided family photos are beneath them.
The good news? Your family does not need perfectly matching outfits.
I encourage families to coordinate rather than match. The goal is to choose clothing that feels like you, photographs beautifully together, and keeps the focus where it belongs: on your family.
As a Phoenix family photographer, I love relaxed, timeless looks that complement Arizona's natural light and landscapes.
Here's how to make choosing your family's outfits a little easier.
START WITH A COLOR PALETTE
One of the easiest ways to create a beautiful, cohesive look is to choose a color palette before choosing everyone's outfits.
Rather than putting everyone in the same color, choose three to four colors that work well together and let those colors move naturally throughout the group.
For Phoenix family photos, earthy neutrals are always beautiful against desert landscapes, mountains, and warm natural light.
Think:
Soft neutrals: Cream, ivory, oatmeal, beige, taupe
Earth tones: Sage, olive, terracotta, camel, warm brown
Muted colors: Dusty blue, muted blush, soft lavender, muted green
But your family does not have to wear muted colors.
If you love color, bring it! Rich jewel tones can be gorgeous against Arizona's warm landscape and add personality without overwhelming the photograph.
Try combinations like:
- Emerald + rust + ivory + warm brown
- Deep teal + terracotta + cream + cognac
- Burgundy + dusty blue + ivory + tan
- Plum + olive + cream + camel
- Sapphire + rust + oatmeal + brown
- Berry + forest green + ivory + tan
The key is balance. Pair one or two richer colors with softer or earthy shades rather than having everyone wear a different bold color.
And remember: your photos don't have to be beige to be timeless.
WHEN YOU'RE STUCK, START WITH ONE OUTFIT
If choosing everyone's clothes feels overwhelming, pick one outfit you love and build from there.
This could be Mom's dress, a child's favorite outfit, or a patterned piece that already has several colors you love.
Pull two or three colors from that outfit and use them to inspire everyone else's clothing. This is often much easier than trying to find several completely unrelated outfits that somehow work together.
For example:
Mom: Emerald dress
Dad: Cream shirt + tan pants
Child: Rust dress
Baby: Ivory romper
The colors relate to one another without making everyone look like they were dressed for the same school picture.
THINK COMFORT + PERSONALITY
The best outfit is one you can actually live in during your session.
- For Mom, flowy dresses and skirts can create beautiful movement, but jeans and a blouse can be just as lovely if that's more your style.
- For Dad, a simple button-down, linen shirt, henley, sweater, chinos, or well-fitting jeans are all great options.
- For kids, prioritize comfort and movement. Avoid anything itchy, stiff, or constantly needing to be adjusted.
And if your child has a favorite bow, shoes, dress, or other little detail that feels like them, don't be afraid to include it.
Your family will look perfect in their photos if they look and feel like them.
USE TEXTURE, NOT MORE COLORS
If you're working with a neutral palette, texture adds visual interest without making the outfits feel busy.
Consider linen, knit, denim, cotton, gauze, corduroy, or other woven fabrics.
A cream linen dress, textured sweater, denim, and soft cotton romper can create a beautiful, cohesive look without everyone wearing the same thing.
PATTERNS ARE OKAY
You don't have to avoid patterns. A subtle floral, stripe, or check can add personality.
Just try not to have everyone wearing a different competing pattern.
If one person wears a pattern, pull colors from that piece into the rest of the family's outfits.
DON'T FORGET THE SHOES
Shoes are easy to overlook, but they show up in full-body photographs.
Choose simple shoes that coordinate with your outfits and make sense for your location. If we're walking through desert terrain, grass, or uneven ground, comfort matters.
And depending on the session, barefoot can be beautiful too.
DRESS FOR PHOENIX WEATHER
Outdoor sessions require a little more planning when it comes to temperature.
During warmer months, lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen can help everyone stay comfortable. During cooler months, layers can add warmth and texture.
And remember: Dress for the Phoenix you're actually experiencing, not the Phoenix you wish you were experiencing.
Your session should be enjoyable, not an endurance event.
THINK ABOUT YOUR HOME
If you're planning to display your photographs in your home, consider your existing colors.
Warm, earthy interiors may pair beautifully with cream, camel, sage, and soft brown. Light and airy spaces might work well with soft neutrals, dusty blues, and muted greens.
Your photographs will become part of your home, so choose colors you genuinely love.
WHEN IN DOUBT, LAY IT ALL OUT
Put everyone's outfits together before the session and look at them as a group.
Ask yourself:
- Do the colors work together?
- Are there too many patterns?
- Does one outfit stand out too much?
- Do the styles feel cohesive?
- Would I love these colors on my walls?
If yes, you're ready.
And if you're still unsure, ask your photographer for help. I'd much rather help you make a small adjustment beforehand than have you spend the entire drive to your session wondering if everyone should have worn something different.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WEAR?
Something that feels like you.
Family photos aren't about creating a perfect-looking family. They're about remembering the real one.
The little hands reaching for yours. The toddler who would rather run than sit still. The way your partner looks at your children. The giggles, cuddles, chaos, and everyday moments that make this season yours.
Your outfits help create a beautiful, cohesive gallery, but your connection is what makes the photographs meaningful.
And maybe bring a snack for the toddler.
Definitely bring the snack.
READY TO PLAN YOUR PHOENIX FAMILY SESSION?
If you're considering family photos in Phoenix, Arizona, I would love to create a relaxed experience that feels natural to your family.
Whether you're documenting your family as it is today, celebrating a new baby, or simply making sure you exist in photographs with the people you love most, these moments are worth remembering.
