How to Coordinate Family Photo Outfits | by Lauren Bounds Photography
Choosing outfits for family photos can feel like one more thing to figure out. You want everyone to look like they belong together, but you also don’t want everyone wearing the same color or matching shirts.
The goal is coordination, not matching.
With a thoughtful mix of colors, textures, and patterns, your family’s outfits can look cohesive while still allowing everyone’s personality to come through.
Here are a few ways to coordinate family photo outfits without making everyone look the same.
Start With One Outfit You Love to Coordinate Family Photo Outfits
Instead of choosing everyone’s outfit at once, start with one piece.
For many families, I recommend starting with Mom’s outfit. Choose something you genuinely love wearing and use it as the foundation for the rest of the wardrobe. If mom doesn’t have a strong preference then maybe one of the kids does; either way pick one person to start with and go from there.
Look at the colors in that outfit and pull a few shades from it for everyone else.
For example, if Mom is wearing a dress with cream, olive, and rust, the rest of the family doesn’t need to wear those exact colors. Dad might wear a cream sweater with dark denim, while the kids wear olive and rust.
Everything coordinates without looking overly planned.
Choose a Color Palette
Once you have your first outfit, choose three to five colors that work together.
For fall family photos, some combinations I love include:
- Cream, camel, rust, and olive
- Ivory, brown, burgundy, and blush
- Cream, denim, dusty blue, and warm brown
- Camel, chocolate brown, ivory, and muted green
- Rust, cream, tan, and deep green
You don’t need to use every color in every outfit. Instead, let the colors repeat throughout the group.
This creates consistency without making the photographs feel too coordinated.
Mix Light and Dark Colors
One of the easiest ways to add dimension to your family photos is to mix lighter and darker shades.
If everyone is wearing dark colors, the overall image can feel heavy. On the other hand, if everyone is wearing light neutrals, the outfits can blend together.
Try pairing:
Light: cream, ivory, beige, soft gray
with
Dark: brown, olive, navy, burgundy
This gives each person their own look while keeping the overall palette balanced.
See more Fall color palette tips here.
Don’t Be Afraid of Patterns
Patterns can work beautifully in family photos. The key is choosing them intentionally.
Instead of putting multiple people in large, bold patterns, choose one person to wear a subtle print. Then pull solid colors from that pattern for the rest of the family.
For example, Mom might wear a floral dress with rust, cream, and olive. Her children could wear solid rust and cream, while Dad wears a neutral sweater.
The pattern helps bring the outfits together without becoming the focus of the photograph.
Add Texture
Fall is a perfect time to layer different textures into your family’s wardrobe.
Think:
- Knit sweaters
- Corduroy
- Linen
- Denim
- Suede
- Woven fabrics
- Soft cotton
Texture adds interest even when you’re working with a simple color palette.
A cream knit sweater, linen dress, denim, and suede boots can create plenty of visual variety without needing lots of different colors.
Consider the Location
Your outfits should complement the setting rather than compete with it.
For fall photos in Colorado Springs, you’ll often have warm grasses, changing leaves, trees, and mountain scenery surrounding you.
Earthy colors and softer neutrals tend to work beautifully with these surroundings.
Instead of trying to match the leaves, choose colors that complement them.
Rust, cream, olive, camel, brown, burgundy, and muted blue are all beautiful options for a fall session.
Think About the Final Photographs
Before choosing your outfits, think about how you want your photographs to look in your home.
If you’re planning to display your images as framed artwork or create an album, consider the colors already in your space.
You don’t need your outfits to perfectly match your decor. However, choosing colors that work with your home can help your finished artwork feel cohesive with the rest of your space.
A Simple Formula for Coordinating Family Photo Outfits
If you’re feeling stuck, try this:
1. Start with Mom’s outfit.
Choose something you love and feel comfortable wearing.
2. Pull three to five colors from it.
These become your overall palette.
3. Give everyone a different combination.
Not everyone needs to wear every color.
4. Mix textures.
Add sweaters, denim, linen, corduroy, or other fabrics for visual interest.
5. Add one subtle pattern.
Then pull solid colors from that pattern for the other outfits.
6. Keep the overall look balanced.
Mix light and dark shades rather than putting everyone in the same tone.
The result should feel coordinated but show individual personality for each family member.
Your Family Photos should be Unique to you
The best family photo outfits don’t look identical. They look like they belong together. My personal preference to have it a little bit messy. As long as it true to you, then your toddler wearing rainboots isn’t going to ruin the photos, it’s going to make the photo,
Choose pieces that reflect your personal style, build a cohesive color palette, and let each person have their own outfit.
Then you can focus less on whether everyone’s clothes coordinate and more on enjoying your time together.
How to Coordinate Family Photo Outfits | by Lauren Bounds Photography
I’m Lauren. I’m a photographer in Colorado Springs, CO where I live with my husband, two amazing kids, and goldendoodle. I love photographing families in a fun and stress free way that allows me to capture your unique personality and show genuine connections.
I believe family photos should be a fun way to preserve your most favorite memories. My aim is to provide you with a seamless experience. A relaxed session where you and your family can interact with each other and have fun. I want to give you images that portray your day-to-to life with your family so that we can freeze a moment in time forever.
Starting from inquiry to hanging your framed photos on the wall, I’m here to help and guide you. To stay up to date with current offerings, join my email list here and view my instagram here.
