There’s nothing more beautiful, or chaotic, than gathering the entire family for a photo. A few weeks ago, my mom, who hadn’t seen my sons in months, came for a short visit. It was one of those rare moments where time felt precious, and I knew I had to capture it. So, I scheduled an impromptu family photo session. No big production, just us, together. And she absolutely loved it.
Coordinating family photo outfits on short notice? A challenge. But seeing my sons wrapped in their grandmother’s arms, all of us showing up as we are, it was worth every minute. Because here’s the truth: planning a family photo shoot isn’t about the perfect outfit. It’s about presence. It’s about honoring everyone’s style, energy, and comfort while still finding a way to look like we belong to each other—which we do.
Whether you’re planning your first big family photoshoot or you’re the one in charge of wrangling everyone together again, here’s how I make it work without losing my mind.
I’ve been there: scrolling Pinterest boards, texting outfit ideas to the family group chat, and praying someone doesn’t show up in a a black shirt with large logos. Coordinating family pictures is about so much more than color. It’s about honoring everyone’s style, culture, and comfort while still looking cohesive as a unit.
Start With a Color Palette—Not Matching Outfits
Gone are the days when everyone had to wear jeans and a white shirt. A modern family photo feels much more stylish and authentic when you choose a color palette instead of exact matching outfits.
Stick to two to three main colors with one or two accent tones. Our go-to this year? Sage green, crisp white, and warm neutrals. It’s soft, earthy, and flatters every skin tone in our family—from deep mahogany to golden brown. Choosing colors that enhance melanated skin is one of my favorite parts of the process, because when we look good, we feel good.
If you’re unsure what tones pop beautifully on deeper complexions, I’ve written about some of my favorites:
- What Color Shoes to Wear with a Yellow Dress – a sunshine shade that radiates on brown skin.
- What to Wear with an Orange Dress – bold, joyful, and perfect for family photos.
- Aesthetic Purple Outfits – soft lilacs to deep plums that highlight rich undertones.
- Aesthetic Green Outfits – like sage, emerald, and olive, which are neutral-friendly and always elegant.
The goal is to find tones that reflect your family’s energy, complement your setting, and most importantly—celebrate your beauty.
Tip: I like to drop color inspiration into our family group chat or create a quick Pinterest board. Visuals make it easier for everyone to stay aligned and excited.
Think About the Setting + Season
Where and when you’re taking the photos will help determine how formal the outfits should be and what kind of textures and layers to go for. This is one of the most popular questions I get asked.
- Outdoor in spring or summer? Think breathable fabrics, flowy dresses, cotton tees, linen pants, and bare feet if you’re on green grass.
- Fall sessions or fall outfits? Lean into fall colors like warm burgundy, mustard, and those rich forest green tones.
- Studio session indoors? Consider darker colors that pop against simple backgrounds.
- Downtown location? More structured looks with different outfits that complement the urban setting.
- Maternity session combined with family? Make mom’s dress the centerpiece and build the family’s outfits around it.
Our last shoot was indoors in April. We chose spring family photos with sage-colored dresses blowing in the wind, khaki bottoms, and creamy tops. That soft natural light made the final images glow beautifully.
Build Around the Elders First
Grandparents: Here’s the truth about dressing multiple generations: it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, and that’s okay. When my mom came to visit (her first time seeing the boys in months), I knew I wanted her to feel beautiful and comfortable during our impromptu shoot. She gets cold easily and can’t stand anything tight around her neck, so I made sure her outfit included a soft neckline. And since we were shooting in our home, the most important thing was that we were barefoot and comfortable.
Parents (that’s me!): For me, I needed something that felt like me. Something I could move around in while chasing kids but still made me feel confident in this version of my body. After two kids, I’m mindful about how clothes fit my midsection, so I went with a flowy dress that let me breathe, literally and emotionally. Now my husband, he’s easy breezy and just rolls with whatever I pick out.
The Kids: Then there were the kids. My oldest? He’s sensory-sensitive, so I made sure his clothes were tagless, soft, and seam-free. The last thing I wanted was a meltdown over scratchy fabric five minutes into our shoot. And my youngest is newly opinionated about everything he wears. So I gave him three outfit options within our color palette and let him pick. Giving him that control saved us all a headache.
Work With What You’ve Got (Mostly)
Listen, I love a good Pinterest mood board just as much as the next mom—but real life isn’t always aesthetic. Sometimes the outfit you wanted to order is sold out, or your toddler refuses to wear anything except their favorite Spiderman shoes. And you know what? That’s okay. Most of the time, you can pull off a beautiful, cohesive look by working with what’s already in your closet. A neutral dress here, a soft green shirt there, and boom—you’ve got a palette.
Of course, I’ll grab a new piece or two if I really need to pull things together, but I try not to stress if everything isn’t “perfect.” A wrinkled shirt, a mismatched sock, a cousin who shows up in jeans when you asked for khakis? The memory is still beautiful. The connection still shines through. The goal isn’t to impress Instagram—it’s to honor the love in the photo. Work with what you’ve got, sprinkle in a little intention, and trust that it’s more than enough.
Let Everyone Show Their Personality
Just because you’re sticking to a palette doesn’t mean every member of your family has to dress the same. In fact, some of the best family outfits show each person’s own style shining through.
Encourage a mix: maybe someone wears solid colors, someone else incorporates a subtle pattern, another wears a floral dress in complementary colors. It’s okay. As long as the tones coordinate, it’ll look beautifully blended in the final image.
This is especially important for teens who want to express themselves. Give them freedom within the family color scheme so they feel like themselves, not like props in someone else’s vision.
Keep It Sensory-Friendly for the Littles
As a mom of neurodivergent kids, I can’t plan anything without thinking about sensory needs. If your kiddos have sensitivities, go for soft, breathable fabrics, no itchy sweaters, tight collars, or scratchy tags.
If your child needs to wear their favorite comfy shirt under a jacket or prefers bare feet over shoes, let that be okay. Bring backup outfits just in case something goes wrong (because it usually does with young children), and let them feel part of the process.
The best way to get natural smiles is when everyone feels comfortable and relaxed, not forced into something that doesn’t feel right on their body.
✋🏾 Reality Check: Perfection Is Not the Goal
I had to learn this the hard way. In one of our earlier family photo shoots, I was so focused on making sure everyone looked just right that I missed the joy happening all around me.
Your toddler’s hair might be flying in the wind. Someone might forget to iron their shirt. Bad weather might force a change of plans. But guess what? The moment still matters.
These photos are a snapshot of your real life. The imperfections? They’re part of the story. And one day, they’ll be your favorite parts.
✅ My Sanity-Saving Cheat Sheet
Want the TL;DR version? Here’s what keeps me grounded every time:
Pick your palette early. (Sage, white, and neutral = chef’s kiss.)
Text the fam with a visual mood board. Pictures help more than words.
Let the grandparents shine. Build around them.
Don’t force matching. Coordinate, don’t duplicate.
Comfort > aesthetics. Especially for kids and elders.
Start planning 2–3 weeks in advance. But expect last-minute changes.
Keep extra outfits on hand. Always.
Focus on joy, not perfection.
The Real Goal: Capture the Love, Not Just the Look
When I look at the family photos we’ve taken over the years, I don’t remember what everyone wore. I remember who was there. I remember how loud we laughed, how much we’ve grown, and how proud I am to be part of this family.
So yes, coordinate your outfits. Plan ahead. Make a Pinterest board. But most importantly, let your photos reflect your real life, your culture, and your love.
Because *that’s* what matters most.
Let’s Chat About Family Photoshoot Outfits:
Planning an extended family session soon? Drop your color palette ideas or questions in the comments. I’d love to help you brainstorm! I’d love to know: do you prefer jewel tones or neutral colors for your family outfits? Are you planning fall outfits or thinking ahead to spring family photos?
And if you post your final photos, tag me @Panamakish on Instagram. I’d love to cheer you on!
P.S. If you loved this post, you might also enjoy my YouTube video on my favorite lime outfits!
Leave a Reply