What to Wear for Family Photos | Southern California

One of the most common questions I get from families before a session is: “What should we wear?” It’s a great question — outfit choices can make or break the overall look of your photos. The good news is you don’t need to match perfectly or spend a fortune. Here’s everything you need to know about dressing your family for photos in Southern California.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same white shirt and khakis. Instead, aim for a cohesive color palette where everyone complements each other. Pick 2–3 main colors and build from there. For example: dusty blue, cream, and warm terracotta photograph beautifully together and work well in OC’s natural settings.

Start with the person who’s hardest to shop for — usually the kids — pick their outfit first, then build the rest of the family around it.

Colors That Photograph Well

These palettes work especially well in Orange County’s golden light and natural backdrops:

Earth tones: rust, olive, cream, tan, camel
Muted cool tones: sage green, dusty blue, slate grey, white
Warm neutrals: blush, mauve, champagne, ivory

Avoid overly bright neons or stark white on everyone — they can blow out in direct sunlight and draw the eye away from faces.

What to Avoid

A few things that tend to cause problems in photos:

Busy patterns and logos — large graphics or brand logos are distracting and date the photos quickly
All-white or all-black outfits — these are hard to expose correctly in bright Southern California light
Clothes that don’t fit well — ill-fitting clothes draw attention in photos more than in person, so make sure everything is tried on beforehand
Brand new stiff outfits on kids — comfort matters, and an uncomfortable kid makes for a tense session

Dressing for the Location

If you’re shooting at the beach, flowy fabrics and lighter colors look beautiful in the breeze. If you’re at a park or trail like Jeffrey Open Space Trail, layers and textures (linen, knit, denim) photograph really well in the grass and trees. Think about where you’ll be standing and whether your outfit blends naturally into that environment.

A Note on Shoes

Shoes matter more than people think — especially for full-length shots. Avoid flip flops or athletic sneakers unless they’re intentional. For outdoor sessions, boots, sandals, or clean white sneakers tend to look best. Kids in little leather shoes or Mary Janes are always adorable.

Still Not Sure? Send Me a Photo

Once you’re booked, I’m always happy to look over your outfit choices and give feedback before the session. Reach out through the contact page — and if you’re ready to book, check out my mini session packages for a practical, high-value way to get beautiful family photos.