“What do we all wear?” It’s the number one question I get from families. And I get it. Getting everyone dressed for family photos can feel harder than the photos themselves.

Here’s the good news. You don’t need matching shirts, and you don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe. You just need a simple plan. Below are the outfit tips I give every family I photograph, with real examples from sessions all over Utah, from little families of four to big extended families with three generations.

Start With Three or Four Colors

This is my number one rule. Pick three or four colors that look good together and let everyone choose from them. That’s it. The Steed family chose navy, light blue, sage green and a cream floral. Nobody matched, but everything worked together, and those soft colors looked beautiful against the fall hillside.

Let One Person Wear the Pattern

Patterns are wonderful, as long as there aren’t too many of them fighting for attention. I like to give the “big” pattern to one person, usually Mom, and then pull smaller patterns or solid colors from it for everyone else.

The Christensen family did this so well. Mom wore a pink floral dress. Dad wore a brown plaid button-up. The girls wore cream tops with a plaid skirt and a floral skirt that pulled from both of their parents’ outfits. It’s coordinated without being matchy. (The Christensens have been coming back for years, and you can see their fall family session at Snow Basin to compare.)

Don’t Be Afraid of One Bold Color

Not every family wants soft neutrals, and that’s okay! One bold color can be stunning. The key is to let it shine on one person and keep everyone else calm.

Mom Staheli wore a burnt orange dress, and the boys and Dad wore cream, gray, navy, olive and camel. That orange pops against the golden grass and fall leaves, and your eye goes straight to Mom, which is exactly where it should go.

Add Texture for Fall and Winter Photos

Texture is the secret to photos that feel cozy and rich. Think knits, plaid, corduroy, tweed and wool. The Finuf family is a perfect example. Mom wore a plaid coat, Dad wore a burgundy blazer over a sweater, and their little guy wore a green knit sweater. The colors are simple, but all of those layers make every photo feel warm.

Bonus: layers keep you warm too. Utah canyons get chilly fast once the sun dips, so a jacket or sweater you can keep on is always a good idea.

Dress for Your Location

Think about where we’re going before you shop. Your outfits should look like they belong there.

• Golden aspens and fall leaves: earthy browns, olive, cream and a little navy. The Moore family wore exactly that in the aspens near Park City, and they blend right in with all that gold.
• Red rock: greens, blues, cream and denim look gorgeous against orange rock. Skip the orange and rust there, or you’ll disappear.
• Snowy mountains or winter fields: cream, gray, navy and a deep red or burgundy feel classic and warm.
• Green summer meadows: soft blues, blush, butter yellow and white keep everything light and airy.

Extended Families: Coordinate, Don’t Match

With a big group, the easiest way to keep it looking pulled together is to share one palette across the whole family. Then each little family picks two or three colors from it. Grandma or Grandpa can anchor the group with a richer color or the main pattern.

The Thompsons built their colors around navy, cream and white with soft florals, and Grandma’s navy floral dress tied everyone together. You can see the whole session in my post on fall extended family photos in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

The Stromberg family went with soft neutrals, cream, gray and navy, with a few pops of burgundy and red. With the first snow on the peaks behind them, it felt like the perfect Christmas card.

And for the Barnes family in the red rock, deep green, navy, plaid, cream and a little brown looked so rich against the orange stone, just like I described above.

A Few Quick Tips

• Skip big logos, neon and graphic tees. They pull your eye away from faces.
• Don’t forget shoes. Boots, booties and clean leather shoes look great. Bright sneakers stand out more than you’d think.
• Choose comfort. If your kids can’t run, sit or be tossed in the air in it, it’s not the outfit. Happy kids make the best photos.
• Steam or iron. Wrinkles show up in big prints.
• Lay it all out. Put everyone’s outfits on the bed and snap a picture. If something stands out too much, swap it.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

This is the part I love. Every family I work with gets my help with outfits before their session. Moms send me a picture of the outfits laid out all the time, and I’m always happy to give my honest opinion. For more ideas, read my post on preparing for your fall family photo shoot in Utah and how to get the light and airy look for extended family photos.

If you are looking for a family photographer in Utah, I would love to talk to you! Fill out my contact form and let me know more about what you want to plan!