What to Wear for Family Photos in New Jersey | A Seasonal Style Guide

Wondering what to wear for your family photos? This is probably the most common question I get before a session and the truth is, there isn't one perfect outfit or color palette.

My biggest advice is feel comfortable in it and to coordinate but don't match. Pick one outfit you love and use it as the starting point for everyone else. From there, think about complementary colors, different textures and pieces that let everyone move comfortably.

Your location can help guide the look too. Denim or black might be perfect for a downtown mural, while softer colors can work beautifully at home. Beach photos can handle a more casual or patterned look, while a fall session in a park gives you the perfect excuse to pull out warm, colorful layers.

Here are some ideas for what works for family photos in New Jersey throughout the year.

Summer Family Photos

Summer is the perfect time for romantic, bohemian, preppy and mix-matched patterns. Clothing that allows movement photographs really well. Items that are eyelit, ruching or have smocking. Lighter fabrics like linen, cotton, muslin, seersucker and a little color.

Think flowing dresses, lightweight button-downs or polos, skirts, relaxed pants or shorts and clothes that move when you walk or run. Light colors and pastels photograph beautifully in the summer, but don't be afraid of color either.

If we're rolling around in the grass or jumping on your trampoline, think about how your clothes will move and how comfortable everyone will be running around barefoot.

Fall Family Photos

Fall is made for layers and color.

Warm tones like mustard, rust, wine, purple, emerald, navy, caramel and brown look beautiful against changing leaves. You don't have to dress everyone in the same fall colors either. Pick a few shades that compliment each other and mix them throughout the family.

This is also the time to bring out the layers. Cardigans, sweaters, jackets, boots, scarves. Textured fabrics like wool or velvet can add depth to your photos.

Fall is probably my favorite season for family photos because you can really have fun with colorful clothing and a colorful landscape.

Spring Family Photos

Spring is a great time for lighter colors, soft patterns and texture.

Think cardigans, solid t-shirts, button-downs, denim on denim, light sweaters, dresses, florals and soft colors or jewel tones.

Florals can be especially pretty in the spring, but you don't need everyone wearing a pattern. One floral dress paired with solids and subtle textures throughout the rest of the family works well.

Winter Family Photos

Winter gives you permission to have a little more fun with layers and accessories.

Think bold sweaters, cozy cardigans, fuzzy hats, scarves, cool boots and textured coats like tweed, wool or faux fur. A great sweater or beanie can become the star of an outfit, especially when paired with simpler pieces.

And dress for the weather! The Swedes have a saying: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” I think that’s pretty good advice for a North Jersey winter photo session.

With gray skies, bare trees and often snow on the ground, think about how your outfits will work with the surroundings. Warm neutrals, rich colors, soft textures and layers can look especially great against the more muted winter landscape. Plus, everyone will be much happier if they’re actually warm enough to enjoy the session!

A Few Things to Think About

Start with one outfit

If you're completely overwhelmed by the idea of coordinating everyone, start with one outfit you love. Maybe it's mom's dress, your daughter's favorite sweater or dad's t-shirt. Then pull colors and textures from that outfit for everyone else. You don't need to match.

Mix textures

Texture adds so much to photographs. Think knits, linen, denim, corduroy, lace, leather, and cozy sweaters. Even when you're working with a simple color palette, mixing textures keeps everyone from looking too similar and makes your photos stand out.

Think about movement

This is especially important for my sessions because we move! Flowing dresses and skirts photograph beautifully when you're walking, twirling, running or picking up your kids. Loose-fitting clothing can also make it easier to move, cuddle, sit on the ground and play.

And if your child is wearing a dress, please add bike shorts underneath. There will probably be running, climbing, sitting, spinning and maybe even some upside-down moments.

What I Would Avoid

A few things tend to photograph better than others:

Athletic sneakers that don’t match: Unless your child has 1 pair of shoes (I know how that goes), I'd choose boots, sandals, simple sneakers, loafers or barefoot.

Stiff clothing: If you can't comfortably sit on the ground, pick up your child or chase them around, it's probably not the right choice for a family session.

Neon colors: Super bright neon shades don’t photograph well and become the first thing you notice in an image.

Tiny stripes: Very small stripes can create a weird warped effect in photographs. Larger stripes do better.

Logos and graphic tees: Unless a favorite graphic tee is genuinely part of your personality (like it is mine), I'd skip large logos and graphics. They tend to draw attention away from the people in the photo.

Too much plaid: Plaid can be great in small doses, especially for fall, but I tend to prefer saving the bigger plaid patterns for a blanket or picnic setup rather than having multiple family members wearing it.

What I Want You to Wear Most

Wear something that feels like you.

Your family photos should look like your family. If you live in jeans and sneakers, you don't have to suddenly become a family of people in fancy dresses and button-downs. If you love getting dressed up, go for it.

Think about where we're photographing, choose colors that work together, mix in some texture and then come ready to have some fun.

That's really the best thing to wear for a family photoshoot.