5 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Family Portrait Wardrobe

Family portraits are a way to capture memories that you can treasure for years to come. Choosing the right wardrobe is a key factor in creating beautiful, natural and timeless images that truly reflect your family’s personality and style. Below are the 5 tips I recommend keeping in mind to keep your family looking picture perfect!

large family portrait mixing colors and textures in wardrobe — This large family does a great job at cooridnating colors across each family unit, while also incorporating textures and layers!

1. Incorporate Textures

Adding texture to your outfits can add dimension and variety to your photos. Consider wearing fabrics like chiffon, lace, or knits. These fabrics will catch the light beautifully, giving your images interesting details without overwhelming the scenery.

2. Avoid Bright Colors

It’s best to avoid wearing neon colors or anything super bright/saturated in your family portraits. Bright colors can be distracting and draw attention away from your family’s faces. Instead, opt for deep shades/jewel tones or earthy colors, depending on the location of your photo shoot.

santa fe, tx rustic farm family photography — This family chose colors and clothing that complemented each other, while still keeping each person’s personality in mind!

3. Coordinate Colors

While you want to avoid matching outfits, coordinating colors is important in creating a cohesive look. Try to stick to a color scheme and encourage each family member to choose an outfit that complements the overall look. Tones like deep greens, rich burgundy, and blues work well in any setting. If you prefer neutral colors, pick different textures and styles of clothing to add interest.

NOTE: Use prints sparingly. Subtle patterns are recommended and are a good starting point for your whole color story. Avoid skinny stripes and tight plaid, too!

4. Match the Theme

Make sure each member of the family matches in theme, whether it’s dressy or casual. A mix of both can look awkward in photos. If you want to dress up, choose elegant pieces like silk dresses and crisp button-up shirts. If you prefer a casual look, opt for comfortable shirts and denim jeans.

Matching done right! Two colors, lots of style!

5. Avoid Twinning

While coordinating colors is important, you should avoid overmatching. Stick to a few similar hues, but let each person express their own style. This will create a more natural look in your photos.

NOTE: If you do love the idea of matching colors, stick with neutral tones and mix in those textures we talked about. If everyone shows up in the same color that isn’t neutral, you run the risk of overwhelming your photograph.