What to Wear for Extended Family Photos: A Complete Guide
When planning outfits for extended family photos, the goal is to create a cohesive, timeless look that allows each individual to feel comfortable and look their best. With multiple families involved, coordination is important—but that doesn’t mean everyone needs to match exactly. Instead, focus on creating a unified visual tone while still reflecting each person’s personality.
Choose a Coordinated Color Palette
Start by choosing a general color palette that suits both the season and the location. For example, soft neutrals work well for beach settings, warm earth tones are ideal for fall foliage, and cool blues and whites offer a classic, clean look. Select three to four main colors within that palette and share them with everyone participating. These tones can be mixed and matched across different outfits to create visual harmony without looking overly uniform.
Avoid overly bright colors, neon shades, large logos, or busy prints that can be distracting or date the photo quickly. A mix of light, medium, and dark tones helps add depth and keeps the group photo visually balanced.
Dress for the Season and Location
The weather and setting of your photoshoot should guide your outfit choices. For outdoor summer sessions, lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton or linen are ideal, especially in lighter colors that reflect sunlight. In colder weather, layering adds both comfort and visual interest. Think cozy sweaters, scarves, and jackets in coordinated tones.
The location also affects footwear choices. For example, a beach setting may allow for barefoot or sandals, while an indoor or formal venue might require more polished shoes.
Keep It Timeless, Not Trendy
While it’s tempting to wear what’s currently in fashion, timeless clothing choices age better in photographs. Opt for classic, well-fitted pieces like solid-colored dresses, jeans, chinos, or button-up shirts. Subtle patterns such as small florals, stripes, or plaids can add variety but should be used sparingly and balanced with solids.
Sticking with classic styles ensures that your photos will still look stylish and relevant years down the road.
Prioritize Comfort and Personality
Comfort is key—especially for kids. Outfits should be easy to move in, breathable, and appropriate for the weather. Uncomfortable clothing can affect a person’s posture and mood, which may show in the photos.
Within the shared color palette, allow each person’s personality to shine through. Whether that’s a fun accessory, a favorite dress, or a unique hairstyle, letting people feel like themselves helps create authentic, natural expressions in photos.
Coordinate, Don’t Clone
The goal is to look cohesive, not identical. You don’t want everyone in white shirts and jeans, as that can look dated and overly staged. Instead, go for complementary outfits. If one person wears a floral dress, someone else might wear a solid shirt that picks up one of the colors from that print.
Use patterns and textures strategically. If one family member is wearing a bolder piece, keep the rest of the group in simpler outfits to maintain balance.
Plan Ahead and Communicate
Don’t leave wardrobe planning to the last minute. Give everyone in the extended family plenty of time to gather their outfits, try them on, and make adjustments if needed. To help visualize the final look, consider sharing a mood board, inspiration photos, or sample outfit combinations ahead of time.
If possible, take a few test photos before the session to make sure the outfits work well together on camera. This also helps spot any potential clashes or distractions before the actual shoot.
Final Thoughts
With thoughtful planning and clear communication, your extended family photos can feel natural, coordinated, and visually striking. By focusing on comfort, cohesion, and timeless style, you’ll capture memories that will look just as beautiful years from now as they do today.
