The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Outfits for Your Photo Session

For Families & Couples

What you wear plays a huge role in how your photos look and feel. The right outfits will complement your surroundings, photograph beautifully, and most importantly — help you feel confident and comfortable.

Here’s everything you need to know when planning what to wear for your session.

1. Start with a Color Palette (Not Matching Outfits)

The biggest mistake people make? Matching exactly.

Instead of everyone wearing white shirts and jeans, choose 2–4 complementary colors and build around them.

How to Choose a Color Palette:

Start with one outfit you love (I recommend beginning with mom’s).
Pull 2–3 coordinating colors from it.
Mix solids with subtle patterns
Add texture for depth.

Safe & Timeless Color Combinations:

Cream, tan, and soft blue
Olive, rust, and cream
Navy, beige, and soft pink
Sage, ivory, and denim
Neutrals with one muted pop of color

If you’re planning photos in Northwest Arkansas during fall, warm earth tones photograph beautifully against the Ozark landscape. Spring sessions look stunning with soft pastels and light neutrals.

Number 1 Tip

Look around your home and see what colors you trend toward. If you intend to display your family photos in your home (which you should!) then you want your chosen color palette to blend well with your decor. For example, my home leans toward the earthy/jewel tones – so I won’t put my family in white and denim for our family photos. However, those jewel tones work well in both pastels during the spring and in rich, deep hues for the fall.

2. Coordinate — Don’t Clone

Your outfits should look like they belong together, but not identical.

Instead of:
❌ Everyone in black
❌ Everyone in white
❌ Identical patterns

Try:
✔ Varying shades of the same color
✔ One person in a subtle pattern, others in solids
✔ Layers (cardigans, jackets, scarves)

This creates visual interest and dimension in your photos.

3. Think About Movement & Texture

Flowy fabrics and layered textures photograph beautifully.

For Women:

Maxi or midi dresses
Skirts with movement
Knit sweaters
Linen or chiffon fabrics

For Men:

Fitted (not tight) button-downs
Henleys
Neutral sweaters
Structured jackets

For Kids:

Clothes they can move and play in
Avoid stiff or uncomfortable fabrics

Texture adds depth: knits, lace, corduroy, denim, linen — these all photograph wonderfully.

4. Avoid These Common Outfit Mistakes

🚫 Neon colors
🚫 Large logos or graphics
🚫 Distracting patterns
🚫 Athletic shoes (unless it fits the vibe)
🚫 Apple watches or bulky smart watches
🚫 Super trendy pieces that may date your photos

Timeless is always better than trendy.

5. Dress for the Location

Your setting matters.

Open field at sunset → neutrals and soft tones
Downtown session → slightly dressier, structured looks
In-home session → cozy, soft textures
Fall foliage → warm tones (rust, mustard, olive)
Spring blooms → soft pastels and creams

If you’re planning photos around Bentonville or the surrounding Northwest Arkansas area, consider how greenery, trails, or brick backdrops will interact with your outfit colors.

6. Prioritize Comfort & Confidence

If you don’t feel good in it, it will show.

Make sure clothing fits well.
Steam or iron outfits beforehand.
Try everything on together at least a week before your session.
Sit, bend, and move in your outfit — especially for family sessions with kids.

Confidence is the most photogenic thing you can wear.

Pro tip: use a movable clothing rack to hang everyone’s outfit together so that you can see how the colors not only pair together, but how they fit in your home and in different light. Laying them out on the bed is ok, but seeing the clothing vertical and among your decor will give you a better idea of how the outfits flow and coordinate.