How to Coordinate Family Photo Outfits Without Matching

One of the first questions I hear after someone books family photos is, “What are we supposed to wear?”

And I get it. Coordinating outfits for an entire family can quickly turn into buying six versions of the same shirt and hoping for the best.

The good news? Your outfits don’t need to match. In fact, as a Grand Forks family photographer, I usually recommend that they don’t. Instead, I use a simple formula to make everyone’s outfits feel coordinated while still giving each person their own look.

Here’s how I do it.

1. Start With Mom

I almost always recommend choosing Mom’s outfit first. Find something you feel comfortable and confident in, then build the rest of the family’s outfits around it.

If Mom’s dress has a subtle pattern, for example, we can pull a few colors from that pattern for everyone else’s clothing. It’s much easier than trying to choose five outfits independently and hoping they work together at the end.

2. Choose a Color Palette

Instead of picking one or two colors that everyone has to wear, choose three or four coordinating colors.

Think of it as a color palette rather than a dress code. One person might wear cream, another muted blue, another warm brown, and another a subtle pattern that ties several of those colors together.

Everyone coordinates without looking like you planned matching outfits for family picture day circa 2003.

3. Mix Solids and Patterns

Patterns are great—I just don’t want everyone wearing one.

Start with one patterned piece and surround it with complementary solids. For larger families, you can absolutely incorporate another subtle pattern as long as the two aren’t competing for attention. (Think one small floral pattern paired with a simple plaid pattern.)

The goal is for your eye to go to your family first, not someone’s shirt.

4. Add Texture and Layers

This is one of the easiest ways to make simple outfits photograph beautifully.

Think knits, linen, denim, cardigans, sweaters, textured dresses or layered pieces. Texture adds visual interest without needing another color or pattern.

This works especially well for fall family photos when we can incorporate cozy layers without everyone wearing the exact same sweater.

5. Repeat Colors, Not Outfits

Here’s the part that makes everything come together: repeat colors throughout the family instead of repeating entire outfits.

Maybe Dad’s shirt pulls a color from Mom’s dress. Your daughter’s cardigan coordinates with Dad’s pants. Your son’s neutral shirt ties back into Mom’s shoes.

Nothing matches exactly, but everything makes sense together.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

If you’re looking at your family’s closets right now thinking, Okay…but I still have no idea what to put everyone in, that’s where I come in.

When you book a session with me, I’ll help you plan your family’s wardrobe so you’re not left trying to piece everything together yourself. My clients also have access to my client wardrobe, with options for moms and kids, and I can create styling recommendations to help fill in the rest.

Family photos should not require three weeks of online shopping and seventeen returns.

If you’re looking for a Grand Forks family photographer and want a little help with everything from what to wear to where we’ll take your photos, I’d love to start planning your session with you.