Find the Perfect Outfit for Your Family Pictures

Clients tell me that selecting clothing for their family photoshoots is one of their most significant pre-session stressors. Colors that work for one season, clash with another, and coordination can be overwhelming when trying to style several people.

I offer my clients access to my digital stylist to help alleviate this burden, but another way to simplify styling is to stick to a neutral color palette.

Wearing neutral-toned clothing for a photoshoot can be a timeless, elegant, and simple option, and they provide a versatile canvas that complements various skin tones, settings, and seasons.

Mix and match neutral tones within the family while keeping the color scheme cohesive, and you'll achieve a balanced and harmonious look for your photos.

But First, What's a Neutral Color?

Neutrals are muted shades that appear to lack color. They are hues that go with everything in your closet, like black, white, and brown, and their shades/tints, such as ivory, camel, cappuccino, light gray, and charcoal. However, neutrals have expanded to tones in the blue range and beyond, including navy, shades of denim, blush, olive, and sage over time. If it's an unassuming color, it could be neutral.

Using Neutral Colors in Winter

For winter family photoshoot outfits:

Layering is critical during the chilly winter months for family pictures. Opt for neutral-colored sweaters, cardigans, or coats in warm fabrics like wool or cashmere.
Incorporate earthy tones like beige, camel, or taupe for a cozy yet sophisticated look.
Accessorize with chunky scarves, gloves, and hats in neutral hues to add depth and texture to your outfits.
Add subtle patterns like plaid or herringbone to increase visual interest without overwhelming the neutral palette.

Pro Styling Tips for Winter: "Layer up," said Megan Napier, a family photo stylist and owner of Styled in the Wild. "The beauty of winter styling is in dimension. Adding layers (vests, jackets, dusters, kimonos, cardigans) elevates your coordinated outfits. Also, wintertime offers more fabric bases that are not typically used in other seasons (corduroy, sherpa, velvet). Incorporating various fabric bases into your outfits allows for variation in looks for each person in your session. When picking neutrals in winter, I tend to lean towards black, grey, white, and a camel brown for classic looks."

Styling Spring Neutrals:

For a spring photo session, use these wardrobe tips:

Embrace pastel neutrals for a soft and fresh springtime feel. Blush pink, light gray, and mint green is a color scheme that would work well.
Opt for breathable fabrics like cotton or linen to stay comfortable during the mild weather.
Incorporate floral prints with neutral color palettes to add a touch of vibrancy without overpowering the neutral color scheme.

Pro Styling Tips for Spring: "Spring is for the neutral, soft florals & creamy colors," Napier said. "When picking how to style a spring session, find a subtle floral piece to work around in a creamy color (tan, ivory, beige) and incorporate other soft, pastel colors into your palette. Pick light and airy fabric bases like lace, eyelet, or linen."

Sizzle in Light Neutrals for Summer:

For summer family pictures, incorporate these ideas:

Lighten up the neutrals for the summer season with tints like ivory, cream, and sand.
Opt for lightweight and flowy fabrics such as chiffon or linen to keep cool in the heat.
Add polka dots or striped prints to add variety.
Accessorize with natural materials like straw hats and woven sandals to complement the neutral palette while embracing the season's vibes.

Pro Styling Tips for Summer: "Summer screams crisp white, grey, slate blue, navy, and taupe," Napier said. "Layering is typically not possible in summertime due to the heat (although a lace duster or vest never hurt), so to level up your coordinated outfits play on textures. Linen, lace, crochet, tulle, silk, seersuckers, cotton, and chambray are all great choices for the summer heat! Incorporating many textures into your outfits adds depth."

Warm it Up in Autumn:

For fall family photo outfits:

Choose warm, rich neutrals like rust, olive green, and deep brown for a cozy fall look.
Incorporate layers like cardigans, scarves, and vests to add depth and dimension to your outfits. Make sure you mix textures too!
Consider adding subtle patterns like plaid or autumnal floral prints to infuse a touch of seasonal charm.
Accessorize with warm-toned jewelry like gold or copper accents to complement the fall color palette.

Pro Styling Tips for Fall: "Fall neutrals include earthy hues like chocolate brown, rust, mustard, mocha, burgundy, and tan," Napier said. "Accessorizing with hats, floral baskets, and blankets in fall add unique details to your session. Fall fabric bases like cable-knit, waffle, pleat, and twill create timeless looks that scream fall."

Fabrics to Add Interest to Neutrals

Now that you know what neutral colors work best for each season, I want to dive into what fabrics will work best for each season to increase the photos' visual interest and your family's comfort level.

Layering for Cold Weather

Choosing suitable fabrics ensures comfort, warmth, and breathability when layering clothing for cold months. In cold weather, choose:

Merino Wool is an excellent option for base layers. It's soft, lightweight, provides excellent moisture-wicking properties, and regulates your body temperature, keeping you warm in cold weather and cool when it's warmer.
Fleece fabrics, like polar fleece, are great for mid-layers. They provide insulation and are highly breathable, trapping heat and evaporating sweat.
Down-filled jackets or vests are superb for insulation in colder conditions. They are lightweight and offer excellent warmth-to-weight ratios.
Cotton Flannel shirts are suitable for adding warmth as an outer layer and always have an interesting pattern. However, they are not ideal for moisture management, so avoid them as a base layer.
Silk can be a luxurious and practical base layer. It's lightweight, provides good insulation, and feels great against the skin.
Thermal Knits or waffle-knit fabrics can make excellent base layers and provide a nice texture. They trap warm air close to the body and are comfortable to wear.

Effective layering involves combining different fabrics to balance insulation, moisture management, and protection from the elements. Plus, since we're talking about family photos, the combo must also make a cute outfit!

Mixing Fabric in Warm Weather

The goal of layering for warm months is to stay cool, comfortable, and protected from the sun while maintaining breathability.

Cotton is lightweight, breathable, and widely available and is a classic choice for warm-weather layering. Opt for cotton T-shirts, tanks, or lightweight button-up shirts in any neutral color.
Linen is highly breathable and has natural moisture-wicking properties, making it an excellent choice for hot weather. It's a great option for shirts, pants, and lightweight jackets.
Chambray fabric is similar in appearance to denim but lighter and more breathable. It's a versatile option for casual shirts or lightweight jackets.
Rayon is a lightweight and breathable fabric that drapes well. It's comfortable for warm weather and works well for loose-fitting tops and dresses.
Bamboo fabric is known for its moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties. It's a sustainable option that can help keep you cool and dry.
Seersucker fabric has a unique puckered texture that promotes air circulation. It's commonly used for lightweight suits, shirts, and dresses.
Lightweight Denim or denim blends can provide a casual look without weighing you down.
Voile is a sheer and lightweight fabric perfect for layering, adding minimal bulk while providing some coverage.

When layering in warm months, prioritize lightweight and breathable fabrics. Remember that loose-fitting and airy garments will help keep you cool, and don't hesitate to mix and match different fabric types for the most comfortable and stylish summer looks.

By selecting seasonal neutral-toned clothes and fabrics and incorporating essential accessories, you'll achieve a stunning and cohesive look for your family photoshoot that will look great on your walls and in photo albums.

Liz Davenport of Sunshine and Shadows Photography is a professional family photographer based in Kansas City, MO. She offers family and senior portraits and personal branding sessions throughout the Kansas City metro, including Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Mission, Belton, and Raymore. Her sessions are fun and relaxed, using primarily natural light and a lot of movement.

Styling Neutral Clothes for Stunning Family Photos in Every Season