What to Wear for Your Family Photoshoot: How to Coordinate Without Looking Too Matchy
Getting ready for a family photoshoot is exciting, but let’s be honest, figuring out what everyone should wear can be overwhelming. You want your family photos to look polished, timeless, and cohesive, but you also don’t want everyone in matching white shirts and jeans (unless that’s your vibe, no judgment!).
“My experience with Fontaine Photography was amazing! The ladies were very professional but laid back, and I felt very comfortable.” - Putra
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At Fontaine Photography, one of the questions we hear most often is: What should we wear? So we put together this guide to help you coordinate your family’s outfits like a pro without the stress or the awkward matchy-matchy look.
1. Start With a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
Instead of dressing everyone in the same color, choose a color palette with 3–4 complementary tones. Think soft neutrals like beige, ivory, sage, dusty blue, blush, or charcoal. If you're going bold, mix jewel tones like burgundy, navy, forest green, and mustard.
Pro tip: Choose one outfit first (usually mom’s or whoever is most excited about the family photos), then build the rest of the outfits around it using coordinating shades.
2. Mix Textures and Layers
Adding texture is a secret weapon for elevating your look on camera. Think knits, linen, denim, tulle, lace, or corduroy. These layers not only photograph beautifully, they add visual interest and dimension.
Throw on a cardigan, scarf, vest, or even suspenders for the kids. It creates depth without everyone needing to wear patterns.
3. Avoid Loud Patterns and Large Logos
Keep it classic. Small prints can be lovely (think subtle florals or gingham), but avoid busy patterns that compete for attention. Also, steer clear of shirts with logos, characters, or text; these tend to date your images quickly.
4. Coordinate, Don’t Clone
It’s all about balance. If one person is in a pattern, have the others in solids that pull a color from that print. If someone wears a statement piece (like a bold dress or a patterned shirt), let the rest of the family’s outfits be more neutral.
This gives a cohesive look without feeling forced or overly styled.
5. Dress for the Location
Outdoor shoot at a Vancouver park? Soft tones and natural fabrics blend beautifully with the surroundings. Family studio photoshoot? Feel free to dress it up a bit with more structured pieces. We'll chat during your pre-shoot consultation and guide you based on your session location and backdrop.
6. Make Sure Everyone Feels Comfortable
The best family photos happen when everyone feels like themselves. Make sure the kids can move freely, shoes aren’t brand-new and stiff, and nothing is overly tight or itchy. Happy, comfortable people = joyful, relaxed family portraits.
At Fontaine Photography, we help you plan everything, including what to wear. During your family photoshoot consultation, our award-winning Vancouver family photographers will help you create a look that reflects your family’s personality while looking effortlessly pulled together. We also offer access to our client closet filled with beautiful pieces to help bring your family photoshoot vision to life.
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