Leah Louviere Photography · Ogden, Utah
What to wear for family photos that feel like you
You have picked a date for family photos, and now comes the question that can make the whole process feel harder than it needs to be: what should everyone wear? Maybe you have a dress you love but cannot decide what goes with it. Maybe your toddler refuses anything except their favorite shirt. Or maybe you are staring at five different outfits and wondering whether they will look good together.
The best family photoshoot outfit ideas start with a simple goal: help everyone feel comfortable while keeping the attention on your family. You do not need identical outfits, an entirely new wardrobe, or clothes that look nothing like what you normally wear. A few coordinated colors, comfortable fabrics, and thoughtful layers can create photographs that feel natural and still look beautiful on your walls years from now.
As a Northern Utah photographer based in Ogden, I help families plan outfits for settings ranging from mountain scenery and open fields to downtown streets and studio portraits. Each location brings different colors, textures, and practical considerations. A cream sweater might look lovely against fall leaves, while breathable fabrics make more sense for a warm summer evening. Your clothing should work with the setting and help you enjoy being there.
One of the easiest ways to choose family photoshoot outfits is to start with one person's clothing, then build around it. If you already have a favorite dress, sweater, or shirt, use that piece to guide the rest of the family's colors. Instead of putting everyone in the same shade, try combining cream, soft brown, and muted green, or navy, light blue, and beige. These combinations give each person individuality while helping the group look cohesive.
Comfort matters just as much as color. During a session, you may sit, walk, pick up your children, or lean in for a hug. Clothes that pinch, slip, or need constant adjusting can become distracting quickly. For children especially, familiar fits and comfortable shoes often make a bigger difference than finding the perfect accessory. Try everything on before your session, including shoes and layers, so there are fewer surprises.
Northern Utah weather also deserves a place in your outfit planning. Mountain locations can feel cooler than expected, particularly as the sun goes down. If you are looking for clothing ideas for fall family pictures, consider sweaters, cardigans, and layers that you would be happy to have photographed. Planning warmth into the outfits is much easier than trying to hide coats once everyone gets cold.
In this guide, I will share practical family photo outfit ideas, easy color palettes, seasonal suggestions, and tips for dressing parents, children, and families with a new baby. You will also learn which patterns and accessories can distract in photographs and how to coordinate without matching exactly. Whether you are planning family photos in Ogden, Davis County, or elsewhere in Northern Utah, the aim is the same: outfits that support beautiful photographs while letting your family's expressions, connection, and personality take center stage.
How to choose family photoshoot outfits in five steps
- Start with one outfit you love. Choose the piece that is hardest to replace or that makes you feel most comfortable. It can be a dress, sweater, or shirt you already own.
- Choose two to four complementary colors. Pull colors from that first outfit, then add neutrals. Spread the colors across the group rather than putting everyone in the same combination.
- Add texture and keep patterns simple. Knits, linen, cotton, and subtle fabric details add interest. If one person wears a pattern, let the other outfits be quieter.
- Try everything on. Sit down, lift your arms, and pick up your child. Check that shoes fit and that clothing stays comfortable as you move.
- Look at the outfits together. Lay them out in daylight, including shoes and layers. A quick phone photo can help you spot a color or pattern that stands out more than you intended.
Family photo color palettes that work together
Think of these as starting points, not rules. Choose shades that suit your family and the setting, and vary how light or dark each outfit is so everyone does not blend together.
Cream, green & brown
Try a cream dress, a muted green shirt, and soft brown or tan trousers. Repeat one of those tones in a child's cardigan or shoes.
Navy, blue & beige
Pair a navy top with light blue and beige pieces elsewhere in the group. Simple denim can also work when it fits the overall palette.
Rust, oatmeal & olive
Use rust as an accent, oatmeal as a lighter neutral, and olive for another outfit or layer. This is a useful starting point for fall photos.
Clothing ideas for fall family pictures in Northern Utah
For fall sessions, start with a comfortable base outfit and add a layer that looks good in the photographs. A cardigan over a dress, a knit sweater with trousers, or a simple jacket can help everyone stay comfortable as the evening cools.
If your location has bold red, orange, or yellow leaves, cream, oatmeal, muted blue, and olive can give your outfits some separation from the background. You can still include warm colors; just avoid dressing the entire group in the exact shade of the surrounding foliage.
- Choose shoes for the terrain. Boots or comfortable closed-toe shoes often make more sense than heels on uneven ground.
- Include children's warm layers in the palette. A coordinating sweater is easier to work into photographs than a last-minute extra layer.
- Check the forecast for the location. Conditions near Ogden's mountain settings may differ from those at your house.
Still deciding where to go? My family session page explains how we choose a location together based on your preferred scenery, the season, and your family's needs.
What to wear for spring, summer, and winter family photos
Spring: soft colors with a useful extra layer
Light blue, cream, muted green, and soft pink are easy starting points. Bring a coordinating cardigan or jacket, and choose shoes that can handle damp grass or a park path.
Summer: breathable fabrics and comfortable movement
Cotton, linen, and lightweight dresses can work well for warm evenings. Choose clothing you can sit and walk in, and avoid outfits that need constant adjusting. Sandals can suit an easy park location; sturdier shoes may be better for a trail.
Winter: make warmth part of the outfit
Choose coats, sweaters, boots, and accessories you are happy to see in the photographs. Coordinate their colors just as you would any other outfit. Children who are cold are unlikely to enjoy being asked to remove their coats for every picture.
Outfit tips for parents, children, and families with newborns
Parents: choose something you feel good wearing
A dress is an option, not a requirement. Trousers, jeans, skirts, and simple tops can all work. Focus on fit and how the clothing feels when you sit, bend, and hold your children. Empty bulky pockets before we begin.
Children: comfortable outfits help them participate
Try outfits on in advance and check for scratchy fabrics, tight waistbands, and shoes that rub. If your child dislikes an outfit, offer two comfortable choices that fit the palette. A spare outfit for younger children can also be helpful.
Families with a new baby: keep the clothing simple
Soft, comfortable clothing and coordinated neutrals keep the focus on your baby and family connection. Choose postpartum clothing that fits comfortably now, rather than something you hope will fit by the session. Simple clothing for baby is often easier than oversized accessories or elaborate outfits.
If you are planning portraits with your newborn, read my newborn photography preparation guide and explore my studio and in-home newborn sessions.
What to avoid wearing for family photos
- Large logos and lettering: they can pull attention away from faces.
- Neon colors: very bright shades can dominate the photograph and reflect color onto nearby skin.
- Several competing patterns: use one pattern as a starting point and coordinate the other outfits with its colors.
- Uncomfortable clothes or shoes: choose pieces that let you walk, sit, and interact naturally.
- Accessories that need constant fixing: keep hats, bows, scarves, and jewelry manageable, especially for children.
Family photo outfit FAQs
Should everyone wear matching outfits?
You can if that is the look you love, but it is not necessary. Coordinating two to four colors gives the photographs consistency while allowing everyone to wear different pieces.
Can we wear jeans for family photos?
Yes. Simple denim works well for a relaxed session. Pair it with tops that fit your chosen colors, and decide whether you want a casual or more dressed-up look across the group.
What if my child refuses their planned outfit?
Have a comfortable backup that works with the palette. Offer a small choice rather than making one outfit the only option. A happier child in a slightly different shirt is usually a better starting point for the session.
Do we need to buy new clothes?
No. Start with what you already own, then decide whether anything is missing. Fit, coordination, and comfort matter more than whether an outfit is new.
Can you help us choose our outfits?
Yes. Wardrobe guidance is included with my family sessions. Send me your outfit ideas before your session, and I can help you think through the colors, location, and overall look.
Family photography in Northern Utah
Let's plan your family photos
I photograph families in Ogden, Weber County, Davis County, Salt Lake City, and Utah County. We will choose a location together, coordinate your outfits, and make room for both guided portraits and natural moments.
