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How to Dress For Unforgettable Family Photos

By Michelle Myers 15 Comments

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Okay, I’m going to guess most of us are guilty of having a family picture or two taken in what I like to call the “mandatory family photos uniform”.

This typically means that everyone is wearing either jeans or khakis and then white shirts. On occasion people might get a little bit wild and crazy and  mix in one more color, but for the most part it all stays pretty standard and….

B-O-R-I-N-G!

You Don't Have to Be Style Savvy to Choose Clothes that Create Unique and Fun Family Photos. Get tips for: How to Dress for Family Photos.

How to Dress for Family Photos

Listen, I get it. Not everyone is a fashionista and when you’re trying to coordinate a whole family, and in some instances even some extended family, it can be pretty stressful to try and be creative with your style choices.  However, take it from someone who is definitely NOT a fashion guru, you can break away from the “uniform”, even if you don’t have a Ph.D. in style.

1. Look at Other People’s Family Photos

Old Holiday Cards
– I keep some of my favorite holiday cards every year to use as future inspiration for my own family’s photos.

Photographer’s Websites
– Google search for local photographers in your area and look at their websites. They are usually full of examples of their work and can be a great place to get ideas.

Card Companies
– Look on the websites of some of the biggest players in the family photo card industry like Minted Holiday Cards, there are a wealth of unique ideas that really cover a wide range of personal tastes as well as color combinations.

Once you’ve had a chance to look at other people’s photos, you’ll see that while you want to stay in a complimentary color palette.  You can mix different prints and colors and even clothing styles (jeans, dresses, shorts, t-shirts, button-ups, sweaters).

The following photos are of my children and a friend of mine and her family.  They both are examples of how to mix different prints, colors and styles in a way that works together to create more interest and individuality for your photo.

How to Dress for Family Photos

What To Wear For Family Pictures

2. Pinterest

There are tons of family photo ideas to be found on Pinterest.

As you sift through ideas, pick a favorite element from each picture; is it the style of clothing(casual vs. formal), a color, accessories?

This mom found her daughter’s colorful dress 1st and then used it to guide her when picking out everyone else’s outfits. It made things so much simpler!

How to Dress for Family Photos

3. Use The Setting to Inspire Clothing

I love how this Florida family totally took their love for the beach and used it to be daring and go outside the norm of the everyday family photo. You wouldn’t dress in swimwear for a photo shoot in the forest but this vintage beach shoot is fresh and original and compliments the seaside setting perfectly!

What To Wear For Holiday Photos

4. Pick a Theme

One year, Kira and her extended family decided to do photos together as a gift for her parents.

When you have more people involved it can be difficult to coordinate clothing, but they knew they wanted to have the photos done at a local marina where the family loved to go together. So, they chose a nautical red, white and blue theme.

It kept the colors simple and made it easy for everyone to use items they already owned or quickly shop for something new while staying focused.

How to Dress for Family Photos

5.  Don’t Shy Away from Bright and Bold Colors

While on a day to day basis we might be drawn to more conservative colors, when you’re taking photos, if you choose more muted tones, you may find that everyone looks washed out.  The photos below are of my kids from a few years ago and you can really see how the bright colors “pop” and really seem to make my kids personalities shine.

What To Wear For Family Photos

6. Ask For Help

Don’t be afraid to bounce ideas off of friends or even borrow accessories! Some people are just gifted at fashion and full of ideas and would love to help! I’ve definitely texted ideas to my photographer and friends prior to a shoot to get feedback and have gotten help with accessory suggestions.

For the pictures below, Kira actually went into a local Gap store and explained that she was trying to coordinate outfits for photos and THREE of the associates helped her pull the different looks together.

How to Dress for Family Photos

We would like to thank Nichole Marie Photography, who took all these amazing photos and gave us permission to use them for this post. If you live in the South Florida area or plan to visit for vacation, you could not ask for a better photographer. I think her work speaks for itself!

You don't have to be a fashionista or even all that style savvy to put together unique outfits that will set your family photos apart and make for some truly memorable holiday cards. We've got tips and tricks from a seasoned family photographer about How to Dress for Holiday Family Photos. SunshineandHurricanes.com

Do you have a favorite set of outfits or theme your family used for family photos? Tell us about it in the comments! 

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Filed Under: Holidays, Mom Life Tagged With: Family Photos, Holiday Cards, How to Dress for Family Photos

About Michelle Myers

Michelle Myers is mom to four kiddos ranging from elementary thru high school, each with strong opinions and a flair for the dramatic. In other words, they're a lot like her. Former educator and lover of learning, she divides her time between carpool and Starbucks by reading voraciously and giving TED talks to herself at red lights. A Floridian for almost 40 years, Michelle loves the beach, making people laugh, and date nights with her hubby of 25 years...and yeas, they clearly married at age 7.
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Comments

  1. Holly @ While I'm Waiting... says

    November 13, 2015 at 10:45 am

    You guys MUST check out Your Merry Mailbox – http://yourmerrymailbox.blogspot.com/ – TONS of ideas for clothing, props, etc. for Christmas cards!!!

    Reply
  2. Natasha in Oz says

    November 12, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures at the Say G’Day linky party. I’ve just pinned this to the Say G’Day Saturday board. I really need to get a picture organised soon!

    Hope you are having a great week.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

    Reply
  3. Kim @ This Ole Mom says

    November 9, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Wow! Love all the beautiful photographs I think the photographer is very talented! Love all of your tips . Great ideas. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Coralie says

    November 8, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    My sister-in-law and I were talking about finding the perfect color scheme today for a photo shoot for Christmas gifts. These are some great tips! And some great photos too. I love the mix of patterns and solids- I love the undercover matchy-matchy.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie Pass says

    November 8, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    These are such great ideas! I never know what to have us wear, lol.

    Reply
  6. MJ @ Daisy & June says

    November 8, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Perfect Timing! I am planning our outfits for our family photo in a few weeks! Really really great info thank you!!

    Reply
  7. Kristin @ MOMentous Moms says

    November 7, 2014 at 10:00 pm

    I love that all of these photos are beautiful and classic! I agree I cannot stand when the family is wearing a “uniform”. I love when the clothes help express who the family is. I live in South Florida and I am thinking that I might need to book Nichole Marie ASAP! Amazing!

    Reply
  8. Nicole Keener says

    November 7, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I have to sadly admit that I have never had family pictures taken, I have plenty of my daughter, but there not of all of us.

    Reply
  9. Paris at My Big Fat Happy Life says

    November 7, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Great tips! I need to get busy putting together outfits for our Christmas card photo!

    Reply
  10. Tiffany says

    November 7, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Great Tips!! These photos are amazing..I need to get a family session booked ASAP!

    Reply
  11. Krystal's Kitsch says

    November 6, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    I’m going to need to book her! We need holiday photos STAT! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Family Photos - How To Capture That Perfect Shot says:
    November 3, 2017 at 11:56 am

    […] How to Dress For Family Photos […]

    Reply
  2. News Roundup - CorporetteMoms says:
    November 13, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    […] Sunshine and Hurricanes shares tips for coordinating outfits for family photos. […]

    Reply
  3. Busy Monday 140 | A Pinch of Joy says:
    November 16, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    […] The Love Nerds — Apple, Spinach, Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Sunshine and Hurricanes — How to Dress for Family Photos Annie’s Noms — Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats The (mis) Adventures of a […]

    Reply
  4. Busy Monday 140 | A Pinch of Joy says:
    November 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    […] The Love Nerds — Apple, Spinach, Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Sunshine and Hurricanes — How to Dress for Family Photos   Annie’s Noms — Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats   The (mis) Adventures […]

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