As a San Francisco Peninsula family photographer (and a mom myself), I get this question all the time: What to wear for family photoshoot? Whether you’re planning an outdoor session at a San Mateo park, the beach in Pacifica, or even in your backyard in Burlingame — I’ve got you covered.

Below is an effortless style guide designed especially for busy moms of young kids who want beautiful, timeless photos without the added stress.

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1. What to Wear for Family Photoshoot

Start with Comfort and Confidence

Ultimately, your photos should capture real connection — the kisses, the hugs, the playful moments in between. And to make that happen, it all starts with feeling good and confident in what you’re wearing.

To help with that, choose soft, breathable fabrics and skip anything stiff or restrictive. Think pieces that move with you and let you focus on your family, not your outfit.

My biggest tip? Wear something that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. A family session isn’t the time to stray too far from your usual style. Think elevated casual. When you feel good, you naturally look good!

Because when you feel good, you can truly relax, have fun, and soak in the moment, and that’s exactly what makes the best photos.

For inspiration on timeless family style, check out Boden’s Family Clothing or Jamie Kay’s children’s collection.

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2. What to Wear for Family Photoshoot: Outfit Tips for Parents

Moms

Mamas, start by choosing your favorite color and outfit, then coordinate the rest of your family’s looks around yours.

Let’s start with moms. My go-to recommendation? A long, flowy dress. Choose a fabric that moves with you, something that catches the breeze, twirls effortlessly in a mother-daughter pose, or flows as you run joyfully with your family. Movement makes candid photos come alive, especially when your clothing moves beautifully with you.

Not into dresses? No problem. Jeans can be just as great. One of my favorite underrated color combos that always pops on camera is mustard yellow and denim blue. A mustard sweater with denim jeans? Effortless and vibrant.

Flowy dresses are especially flattering for moms, maternity shoots, and women in family portraits. They’re comfortable, elegant, and photograph beautifully in every pose, whether you’re standing, sitting, or lying in the grass. They bring both movement and grace to your images.

So Mamas, start by choosing your favorite color and outfit, then build your family’s outfit around yours.

Dads

When in doubt, my go-to suggestion is to aim for a comfortable, stylish, and timeless look. A well-fitted button-down (short or long sleeve) paired with khakis or dark, long pants is always a great choice.

To elevate the look, consider layering like a sweater or henley over a button-down works really well and adds warmth and texture, especially for cooler sessions and long pants. Again, think elevated casual.

As for shoes, keep it simple, stylish, and comfortable — think boots, loafers, or clean sneakers that won’t steal attention from the moment.

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3. What to Wear for Family Photoshoot: Kids & Babies

Keep it simple, comfy, and true to them.

My top tip for babies and kids is to wear what makes them feel most comfortable and confident. When they feel good, they can play, explore, and let their personalities shine.

For girls, I love dresses or skirt. They’re super fun and give us those magical twirl shots full of movement and joy.

Meanwhile, for boys, a short or long sleeve button-up, henley, or sweater gives a great balance of casual and polished.

In addition, comfortable shoes are key so they can move freely. Candid, playful shots are some of my absolute favorites.

Lastly, it’s always a good idea to try outfits on ahead of time to check for comfort and fit so your kid stays happy and ready to play.

Here are a few places I recommend browsing, depending on your budget:

• $ H&M Kids, Old Navy – great basics, easy to move in
• $$ Zara Kids – modern neutrals, soft fabrics
• $$$ Janie & Jack – timeless styles, photo-ready quality

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4. Coordinate your outfits

Complimenting Colors & Patterns

Mamas, I always recommend starting with your own outfit first. Choose a color you love and feel confident in—then build the rest of your family’s outfits around it. If you’re wearing a bold, vibrant shade like mustard yellow, coral red, or denim blue, balance it out by having the rest of the family in coordinating tones like soft neutrals or colors from the same palette.

I absolutely love color, but it’s all about balance. Try not to dress everyone in bold tones. A mix of neutrals and pops of color creates a cohesive, polished look.

When in doubt, stick to solid colors, soft neutrals, earth tones, or subtle patterns. Neutrals are your best friend as they photograph beautifully, coordinate effortlessly, and create a soft, airy, timeless feel that’s perfect for any location. Dressing the whole family in neutrals can give a clean, classic look, and you can always add a pop of color to let your personality shine.

Just a quick tip when planning outfits: think about how your colors will interact with the setting.

• If we’re photographing in a lush, green park, avoid wearing green so you don’t blend into the background. Warm reds, mustard, and earthy neutrals will stand out beautifully instead.
• If we’re photographing in a woodsy or forest setting, stay away from darker tones like brown or beige, which can disappear among the trees. Light, airy pastels or bold jewel tones such as emerald or deep burgundy create gorgeous contrast in this environment.
• If we’re photographing at the ocean or beach, skip light blues and white since they can fade into the water and sand. Rich, vibrant tones like emerald, mustard yellow, rust, or navy bring life and depth to your photos.

Check out this in-depth blog post on Using a Color Wheel to Match Clothes

What to Avoid Wearing for Your Session

When choosing outfits for your photo session, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to wear. The goal is to keep the focus on your connection, your expressions, and the emotion of the moment. Here are a few things to skip to help create timeless, beautiful images.

Graphic Tees and Logos
Clothing with large logos, characters, or text can be distracting in photos. They tend to pull focus away from your faces and often feel dated over time. Choose simple, classic pieces that highlight connection rather than clothing.

Bright or Bold Colors
Neon colors and high-contrast patterns can reflect onto skin and pull attention away from the people in the photo. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, and gentle colors tend to photograph best, especially in natural light.

Hats with Brims
Hats with brims or visors can create shadows across the face and eyes, especially in natural light. If you want to accessorize, a soft knit beanie or headband works well without blocking light.

Wrinkle-Prone Fabrics
Clothing that wrinkles easily can become a distraction, especially if you are sitting, holding kids, or moving around. Choose fabrics that hold their shape and take time to steam or iron outfits before your session so you feel polished and photo ready.

Bruises and Scrapes
If you or your child has a visible bruise or scrape and you prefer not to highlight it, consider wearing long sleeves or pants to gently cover the area. Of course, if it feels like a sweet part of your current season, we can always embrace it.

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5. Still stressing about what to wear for family photoshoot?

As always, I’m here to help. Feel free to email me your outfit ideas. I love helping clients finalize looks and make sure everything works well together on camera.

Above all, photoshoots are meant to be fun. Don’t overthink it. Just show up, love on your family, and we’ll capture beautiful photos — no matter what you’re wearing.

And if you’re still feeling unsure, need help planning your outfits? Let’s chat — I’m here to make the whole process feel easy and stress-free from start to finish. Check out my Family Portfolio for more ideas on what to wear for family photoshoot!

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