What to Wear: Color Inspiration for Family Photos

Family photos capture beautiful memories, but choosing what to wear can feel overwhelming. The right color palette can make your photos look cohesive, flattering, and timeless. As a photographer and color analyst, I help families select colors that complement their natural tones and the photo setting. Coordinating outfits doesn’t mean everyone has to match exactly! A well-thought-out color scheme:

1. Starts with One Main Color
Instead of trying to match everyone exactly, pick one main color as the foundation. This could be a shade that complements your location (e.g., soft blues for the beach, earthy tones for fall).

2. Builds a Coordinated Color Palette
Once you have a main color, add two to three complementary shades that balance the look.

3. Consider the Season & Location
Your color choices should align with the setting. Light, airy tones work well for the beach, while rich, earthy hues are perfect for a fall backdrop.

4. Mix Patterns & Textures
To add visual interest, mix solid colors with subtle patterns (like florals, plaids, or stripes). Just avoid large logos or busy prints that can be distracting.

5. Coordinate Without Matching Exactly
Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same white shirt and jeans (and if you are looking for that type of session, I am probably not your photog)! Instead, aim for a cohesive look where each family member’s outfit complements the overall palette while reflecting their personality.

Another tip… No matter how beautiful the color scheme, if you or your family members don’t feel comfortable, it will show in the photos! Make sure everyone feels great in their outfits.

Molly and Matt Photo now offers personalized color analysis services in Fort Myers, Florida, to help you select the perfect color palette for family photos. Discover the best colors that complement your skin tone and match your photo setting, taking the stress out of outfit planning and allowing you to focus on creating lasting memories!

How to plan clothing for a photo session...

I am so excited about my recent order from Shellybee Originals. I discovered her profile on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her designs and decided a mommy and me skirt duo would be groovy for Lil and I wear. I ordered the skirts with the intention of using them for family photos scheduled later this month with our photography friend, Rob, of Old Sparky Productions.  Matt and I did marketing photos from him earlier this year and he offered to take our family photos in exchange. If you know me, you know that I love getting family photos almost as much as I love taking them.  We decided on Downtown Fort Myers for the location since Lillian is usually in good spirits walking through the streets like she does on nights for Art Walk and Music Walk. Lil is a big supporter of the River District! 

PHOTOGRAPHER- check

LOCATION- check

INSPIRATION PIECE- check

Below are the Shellybee Instagram posts that inspired my purchase...

We have matching skirts, now what? I tell most of our clients to pick an inspiration piece and then choose items to compliment it.  Our shopping trip to Old Navy yielded a colorful Boston tee that I thought would be cute, especially since our dog, Beacon, would be joining us for the photos. Now to put together my outfit and something for Matt. I'm thinking black or pink converse for Lil. We'll see how this comes together. Stay tuned!