What to Wear for Photos (Without Buying a Whole New Wardrobe)

Sheree Rayford
Aug 24, 2025
2 min read

Let’s be real — one of the biggest stressors before family photos (or any photos, honestly) is the outfits. I hear it all the time: “What should we wear? Do we need to match? Do I have to go shopping?”

Deep breath. Exhale. You don’t need to spend a ton of money or reinvent your closet to look amazing in your photos. The truth? The best photos happen when you’re comfortable, confident, and feeling like you.

Here are my go-to tips to take the stress out of planning outfits:

1. Start With One Person (Hint: Usually You, Mom 😉)

I always recommend choosing one person’s outfit first, usually whoever cares the most about photos — often that’s mom. Pick something you love and feel good in. From there, coordinate the rest of the family around you. It’s way easier to add layers and colors to kids and partners than to start with them and try to work backward.

2. Think Coordinating, Not Matching

Gone are the days of everyone in white shirts and jeans. Instead, think about colors that go together without being identical. A good rule of thumb: choose 2–3 colors in the same family (like neutrals + one pop of color, or earthy tones like rust, olive, and cream). This way, everyone looks cohesive, but not cookie-cutter.

3. Add Texture & Layers

Texture photographs beautifully. Think cozy sweaters, flowy dresses, corduroy, denim jackets, scarves, even hats. These details bring depth and personality to your images. And layers? They add variety — you can pop a jacket on and off for different looks without needing a full outfit change.

4. Stay True to You

This one’s important: don’t put your kids in stiff clothes they’ll hate or squeeze yourself into something that doesn’t feel like “you.” If you’re comfortable, you’ll look confident — and that’s what truly shines through. Family photos should feel like your family, not a magazine ad.

5. Skip the Logos and Neon

Big logos and neon colors can be distracting in photos (and neon tends to reflect strangely on skin). Stick with solids, small patterns, and colors you love. This keeps the focus where it belongs: on your faces, your joy, and your connection.

World Peace Rose Garden, Downtown Sacramento

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the clothes are just clothes. What really matters is the laughter, the snuggles, and the little moments in between. Wear what makes you feel good, coordinate a little, and then let the rest go.

Because when you look back at your photos years from now, you won’t be thinking about the shoes you wore or whether that shade of green matched perfectly. You’ll be remembering the season of life you were in, and the love you shared. 💛