What to wear for your family photos: A complete guide for English families

You've booked your family photography session — exciting! Now comes the question that causes more stress than almost anything else: what on earth should everyone wear? Here's everything you need to know to get it right.

The Golden Rule: Coordinate, Don't Match

Identical outfits feel dated and can look awkward in photographs. Instead, choose a colour palette of 2–3 complementary colours and let each family member wear something within that palette. This creates visual harmony without looking staged.

For example: mum in a dusty rose dress, dad in navy, children in cream and warm terracotta. Everyone looks connected, but individual.

Colours That Photograph Beautifully

• ◆Earthy neutrals: Cream, ivory, taupe, warm grey, camel — timeless and universally flattering.
• ◆Soft pastels: Dusty pink, sage green, powder blue — beautiful in natural light, especially at golden hour.
• ◆Deep, rich tones: Navy, forest green, burgundy, rust — striking without overpowering.
• ◆Classic white & denim: Especially lovely for summer and coastal sessions.

What to Avoid

• Neon colours — they reflect colour onto skin and distract from faces.
• Large logos and bold graphics — the eye goes to the text, not the people.
• Very busy patterns — small stripes and intricate prints can create a visual effect called “moiré” that looks strange in photos.
• Completely clashing colours — one person in bright orange and another in bright blue will fight for attention.

Tips by Season

• ◆Spring & Summer: Light fabrics, soft florals, whites and pastels. Sundresses, linen shirts, light layers.
• ◆Autumn: The most beautiful season for family photos — rich tones like rust, mustard, burnt orange and deep green complement the foliage perfectly.
• ◆Winter: Cosy knitwear, warm layers, scarves. Opt for jewel tones — deep blues, burgundy, forest green.

Dressing the Children

Children's outfits should be comfortable above all else. A child who feels restricted or uncomfortable will show it — and it will show in the photos. Choose outfits they can run, sit, and play in.

Avoid brand new shoes that might rub, or outfits they're not used to wearing. And remember: coordinating doesn't mean identical — a little girl in a dusty pink dress and a boy in navy shorts with a white shirt look beautifully matched without being twins.