What to Wear for Family Photos in Salt Lake City: The Secret to Looking Coordinated

As a Salt Lake City Family Photographer, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is about what to wear for family photos!

If you’ve ever planned family photos, then you’ve probably asked yourself this at least a dozen times.

And you’re not alone! This is the #1 thing people stress about before their session. 

You want everyone to look coordinated but not overly styled. 

There’s a simple way to put together outfits that feel natural, effortless, and uniquely YOU—without the stress. 

I’m breaking it all down so you can stop overthinking and start feeling excited about your session. 

This summer we did extended family pictures with my husband’s family. I wasn’t stressing until a couple days before, because I thought we had everything. But it turned out the kids had grown out of all the outfits I was planning on using! I scrambled and had to use what stores had in them because it was too late to ship anything. Finally, I made it work but it was one of the top stressful things I have done. *Bonus tip-Start planning your outfits as far in advance as possible!*

What to Wear for Family Photos Top Tip!

Mom picks her outfit first!!!!!

Here’s the deal—if Mom doesn’t feel confident, the whole session is going to feel off.

So instead of stressing over coordinating the entire family first, start with what makes YOU feel amazing!

Maybe it’s that flowy dress that makes you feel effortlessly put together, or a cozy oversized sweater that keeps you comfy but still polished. Whatever it is, pick your outfit first. Then, use it as the anchor for everyone else.

Once you’ve got your outfit, look at its colors, textures, and overall vibe.

If your dress is a soft floral, your family can pull from those colors—maybe your partner wears a muted blue shirt, and your kids wear solid neutrals with a tiny pop of a matching color in their accessories.

This way, everyone looks coordinated without looking like they came in a matching set from a catalog.

I love the outfits this family wore in the pictures above. You can see how they pulled colors from mom’s dress and paired it will classic nuetrals. I also love how they paired patterns-the mom’s floral dress and the toddler’s darling striped overalls. They also have a good combination of different textures. Baby’s outfit is knitted. The older boy is sporting linen, and the daughter’s dress has some knitted/crotched texture as well. I love the bow as an added accessory, and the boys fun socks.

Start with a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits

Super matchy outfits can quickly make your family look like an awkward 90s holiday card.

Instead of dressing everyone in the same color, pick 3-4 colors that work well together and spread them out among family members.

Here’s a trick: Look at your home decor. The colors you naturally gravitate toward in your home are likely the ones you’ll love in your photos!

A good balance of solids and subtle patterns is key. 

If Dad wears a plaid shirt, let Mom go for a solid dress, and have the kids in a mix of soft textures and layers to add depth. 

Dress for Your Location & Season

Your background plays a huge role in how your outfits look.

If you’re shooting in a green park, avoid wearing too much green or you’ll blend right into the scenery. Instead, earth tones, soft blues, or warm rust colors will help your family stand out beautifully.

One mistake people make? Dressing for the “look” instead of the weather. If it’s 95 degrees in the summer, ditch the heavy layers. And for winter sessions, layer in a way that still looks put together—think chic wool coats, scarves, and cute boots rather than giant puffy jackets.

I love the color palette this family picked with earth tones, neutrals and pops of rust. The plaid dress is a nice subtle pattern that doesn’t clash with anything else. Vests, like the one the toddler boy is wearing are a great layering option because it adds visual interest. Same thing with the toddler girl’s jean jacket.

Avoid Distracting Logos & Graphics

Your toddler’s favorite superhero shirt? Adorable. Just maybe not for the family photo. 😂

Anything with big logos, text, or neon colors is going to pull attention away from what really matters—your faces and connection.

If a kid insists on wearing a character shirt try a ‘bribe shirt’—let them wear their favorite top in the car, then do a quick swap before the session.

Consider Movement & Comfort

Family photos aren’t about standing stiffly and posing like statues anymore. They’re about movement, playfulness, and real moments. So that means your outfits need to move with you!

For moms, dresses with a little flow photograph beautifully. 

For kids, avoid anything too tight, stiff, or itchy—because if they are uncomfortable, it means less patience and more meltdowns. I know my oldest will be uncomfortable and fidgety in anything with a collar or buttons. So I usually pick a simple nice crew neck t-shirt or sweater for him.

For dads/partners, layers always look good. A lightweight jacket or open button-up shirt over a solid tee adds depth without bulk. Avoid stiff dress shirts that wrinkle easily or make movement feel awkward.

Here’s the thing—your family photos aren’t about the outfits. 

They’re about your people, your love, and the little moments in between. 

But when you feel comfortable, confident, and put together, it makes the entire experience smoother and more fun.

So if you’ve been stressing about what to wear for family photos, take a deep breath. Start with Mom’s outfit, pick a simple color palette, dress for the setting, and focus on comfort. 

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s capturing your family’s connection in a way that feels natural and true to you!

Lay It All Out

Feeling overwhelmed with all the options? Do you have the pieces scattered throughout rooms in your house, and in your brain? Lay out the options on your bed!

Start with your outfit, or the one that you KNOW you will be using. Then start adding in pieces for each member of the family, and change things out if you don’t like how they go together.

Make sure everyone tries on their outfit in advance to make sure you get the right size!

Need some outfit ideas?

Here are some of my favorite online shops to find stylish, photo-friendly pieces:

• Baltic Born – Flowy, flattering dresses that photograph beautifully for moms.
• H&M – Affordable, neutral basics for kids and adults that mix and match easily.
• Jamie Kay – High-quality, soft fabrics for babies and toddlers in muted, timeless colors.
• Abercrombie & Fitch – Elevated casual wear with great layering pieces for dads.
• Alice and Ames – Adorable, twirl worthy dresses and cute jumpers for girls.
• Rylee and Cru – The most beautiful colors and patterns for kids clothes and women too!
• Piper & Scoot – Cute boutique that has beautiful timeless and trendy clothing for women.

And if you are scrambling and need to shop in-store (great online options too) here are some stores I love:

• Old Navy
• Gap
• Gap Factory
• Target
• J. Crew Factory
• Zara

Wherever you shop, keep it simple, comfortable, and true to your style.

I hope you enjoyed reading my tips on what to wear for family photos! Ready to book your Salt Lake City family photography session? Let’s make it happen—click here to request a session! Want to see more of my work? Click here!