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One of the most common questions I hear from families planning their portrait session is: “What should we wear?” This is completely understandable, as choosing outfits can feel overwhelming. However, it doesn’t have to be complicated! Over the years as a Saratoga Springs family photographer, I’ve created a few gentle guidelines for a simple, no-fail outfit formula that works beautifully every time, especially for studio sessions. My goal is to make this part of the process feel easy and stress-free, so you can focus on what really matters: enjoying time with your family and capturing this season of life. So if you’re wondering what to wear for family photos, here are a few tips to help!

Wardrobe Tips That Always Work

If you’re starting to plan your outfits, here are a few gentle guidelines I share with my clients again and again, because I never want the “what to wear” question to be the thing that stops you from celebrating this stage of your lives:

Start with one outfit you love, then build everyone else around it
This makes decision-making so much easier and ensures everything feels cohesive.
Soft, neutral tones photograph beautifully
These tones keep the focus on your connection rather than distracting from it.
Don’t be afraid of whites, creams, and ivory
These colors aren’t boring; they’re timeless, elegant, and always photograph beautifully in a light and airy studio, or really anywhere!
Texture is better than patterns
Think knits, linen, lace, chiffon, pointelle, ruffles, and swiss dots. Texture adds depth without overwhelming the image.
Bare feet for kids are always a win
It keeps the look natural, relaxed, and timeless.
For studio sessions especially, less structure photographs more naturally
Flowy fabrics and relaxed fits help create soft, connected portraits.

If you ever feel stuck, I’m always happy to help you choose outfits or narrow things down. You don’t have to figure this out alone!

What to Wear for Family Photos: An Easy Outfit Formula That Always Works

If you want a simple, tried-and-true formula, this is what I recommend for nearly every family session in my studio. A light neutral color palette is always my go-to. This consists of simple, soft colors like white, cream, ivory, beige, khaki, soft pink, and soft blue.

From there, here’s how to build each outfit for the family with my no-fail solution.

Moms:

Maxi or midi dresses
Flowy fabrics that move beautifully
Light colors or very subtle patterns

Dads:

A white or light-colored button-down shirt
Sleeves rolled up for a relaxed feel
Neutral dress pants or jeans
Closed-toe shoes

Boys:

A long or short sleeve henley or sweater
Colors like white, cream, or light gray
Paired with khakis or light jeans

Girls:

A cute, classic dress
Colors like white, cream, or soft pink photograph beautifully
Subtle patterns or delicate details work well

Babies:

Neutral rompers or simple outfits for babies
Wraps for newborns
Both in soft textures and solid neutral colors

Studio Wardrobes

Remember, you can always show up to your session without an outfit for you or baby, and I’ve got you covered.

Our studio offers a curated Mama Wardrobe and Baby Wardrobe, that you’re welcome to use for your session. These pieces are specifically chosen to photograph beautifully and coordinate effortlessly with our light and airy style.

We’re always adding new options like beautiful dresses for moms, including new arrivals from Worth Collective, and soft, neutral outfits or knitted rompers for babies.

Keep It Simple and Timeless

While many families get stressed thinking about what to wear for family sessions, and my goal is to remove that stress by either providing you with options from my wardrobe collection or guiding you through selecting your choices.

When you choose soft colors, simple pieces, and comfortable clothing, your images will feel more natural, connected, and timeless.

So if you’ve been putting off booking your session because you’re unsure what to wear, know that you don’t have to have it all figured out. I’m here to guide you every step of the way, from wardrobe selection to final artwork.

Ready to schedule your family portrait session? I’d love to connect. Contact me today to schedule your session.