What a professional family photographer wore in her for family photos

Outfits for family photos take work. Kids have opinions. Textures matter. Colors matter. Someone always changes their mind at the last minute. You want everyone to feel good and look like themselves. You also want your outfits to fit the location. The Chase Warehouse in Athens has bold walls, industrial lines, and pretty spots of greenery. Vibrant. Different. Fun.

Here is how I pulled our looks together and how you can do the same.

Start with one outfit

My 14 year old, now 15, just got new cowboy boots. She wanted a dress to go with them. That became my starting point. I grabbed a flowy cinched waist dress with a small floral pattern in warm fall colors. Easy win.

Build the rest around that

Next was me. I chose a wine red cotton maxi with pockets and a pretty eyelet detail. It gave some texture without being busy. It was sleeveless so I added my favorite light jean jacket. The color played well with her florals without matching.

Let your kids lean into their style

My 10 year old is simple. Pink. Soft. Flowy. Done. She needed shoes so I ran into Walmart and found the cutest cowboy boots with a pink outline. She was obsessed. Comfy shoes keep kids happy.

Use your neutral person to balance things

My husband only wears grey, black, or navy. That is it. So I knew he would tie everything together. Ten minutes before we left he put on a navy shirt and dark jeans. Perfect anchor color.

Fill in the last pieces

My four year old already had brown boots. I found a linen ruffle dress with a tie back. It came in a ton of colors. I picked purple because she looks great in it.

Curveballs happen

My 11 year old is girly but loves comfort. She prefers jeans and hoodies. Texture is a big deal to her. I found a navy off the shoulder dress she actually liked. We were set. Then my mother in law showed up with a brown floral maxi. My kid loved it. She asked to switch. I picked my battles. She wore the maxi. She felt pretty. That is what matters.

Tips for choosing what to wear for family photos

• Start with one outfit you love
• Add colors that work with it
• Keep comfort first
• Mix solids and small patterns
• Add simple layers
• Use neutrals to calm busy colors
• Let personalities show
• Skip the old matchy matchy look
• Think about your location colors
• Avoid neon because it reflects on skin

You do not need perfect. You need real and coordinated. Your family photos should look like you. I hope this helps take some stress out of planning your outfits.

Credit where credit is due.

As a photographer, finding someone to photograph your own family is tough. You see light, posing, and details in a specific way. You want someone you trust. I have been lucky. Sarah Lynn Photos has taken our family photos for seven years. She knows my kids. She knows how we work. She brings out everyone’s real personality. We love her, and working with her keeps our sessions easy and relaxed.