What to wear for family photos without the stress

You're carrying the last load of laundry up the stairs when the handle breaks — again — and clothes are falling out of the basket while you're trying to make it to the top. You throw it all on the bed, let out a huge breath, and wipe the sweat off your brow. As you're hanging everything back up, you spot your favorite shirt and just stop for a second. You remember the last time you wore it — you were at the park with the kids, pushing your youngest on the swing while the others played hide and seek, their giggles filling you right up. You wish you could go back to that moment.



And then it hits you — you need to start thinking about outfits for your family session coming up next week. You start looking through your clothes, and just like that, the overwhelm starts to creep in. You don't even know where to begin.

I promise you it does not have to feel this hard. I'm going to help you figure out what to wear for family photos, and by the end of this you are going to feel so much better about it.

Start With You First

I know, I know. As moms we are so used to going last. Last to get a plate at dinner, sometimes the last to even eat because someone needed something the second we sat down. We put everyone else first, and that is one of the most beautiful things about us. But just this once, we are starting with you.

Here's the thing — I've been there myself. I got my own family photos back and I loved them so much. The moments, the kids, all of it, and honestly our photographer did such an amazing job. But every single photo with me in it — I look at myself first and feel so out of place. Because I had chosen something that just wasn't me. It was too fancy for my down-to-earth everyday style, and I felt uncomfortable in it the whole time. And that feeling showed.

I don't want that for you. You are in these photos too, and you deserve to feel like yourself in every single one of them.

Start With Pinterest — But Don't Get Lost in It

Pinterest is such a great place to get a feel for what you like, but if you've ever opened it with good intentions and looked up an hour later not even knowing how you got there, you are so not alone. That scroll is real.

So here is what I want you to do — scroll through, and when something catches your eye, save it. Save outfit ideas, save color palettes, save anything that just feels like you. When you start to feel yourself going in circles, stop. Go back through what you saved and pick your top three outfits. Just three. Then look at those and ask yourself: which one feels the most like me? Not the prettiest, not the most Pinterest-worthy, just the most you. That is your inspiration, and that is all you need.

The Secret to Knowing What to Wear for Family Photos? Start With Your Closet

Take that inspiration and go see what you already have before you do anything else. You might be surprised — that top you totally forgot about, those jeans that always make you feel good. Sometimes the perfect outfit has been hanging there the whole time. And if you still feel like there is nothing you want to wear, that's okay! Grab your Pinterest inspiration and go find something new. And if you're already out shopping you should definitely call up your best friends and make it a girls day — you might as well get lunch and catch up while you're at it. It's a win win, right?

Give Yourself Some Time

One of the biggest things I want you to take away from this guide on what to wear for family photos is to give yourself some time. I know, I know, life is so busy and this always ends up being one of those things that gets pushed to the bottom of the list. And trust me, before I became a photographer I was that mom. I have had my fair share of getting dressed the day of my session, looking in the mirror and thinking oh my gosh why did I buy this, this is awful. And then you are already running late and there is nothing you can do about it.

But now I know better — and that is exactly why I am here, because I do not want that to be you! When you give yourself a little time it actually gets to be really fun. You get to scroll Pinterest without the panic, try things on without the pressure, and if you do need to go find something new you have plenty of time to make a girls day out of it. It does not have to feel like one more thing on your list — it can actually be something you look forward to

Wear What Makes You Feel Like You

And when it comes to buying something new — I don't know about you but as a mom of four my body and my style has changed so much, and shopping can feel a little stressful sometimes. But here's what I want you to think about: buy something you will want to wear over and over again. Don't buy something that's just going to end up hanging in your closet.

You know the one — you hold onto it until spring cleaning and finally get rid of it thinking "I thought it was cute but I never actually felt like myself in it." We are not doing that. We are buying something that when you put it on you think, okay okay girl, you are looking good. Something you'll want to wear to church, to the park, on a date night, and of course a girls lunch. Because if we are going to spend the money, let's make sure it's something that actually fits into your everyday life.

Now Let's Pull Everyone Else Together

Now that you have taken the time to pick out something that makes you feel amazing and cute, it's time to think about the rest of the family — and honestly you have already done the hard part. Now just look at what you are wearing and build from there. Once you have your outfit together, we start pulling those same colors into everyone else's outfits. Same tones, different shades. So if you are wearing a warm cream top and jeans, put your husband in a tan or a warm brown and dress the kids in soft greens or greys that fit that same color palette.

Nobody is matching but everyone just looks like they naturally go together. And if you need an extra set of eyes don't hesitate to reach out — sometimes it really helps to get another woman's perspective. Because I know you are going to ask your husband and he is going to say "that looks fine." I only say that because when I compliment my families on their outfits, the husband always goes "she just told me what to wear." 😂

Girl You Did It

Now that you have picked your outfit first and planned everyone else's outfits around yours, you get to show up feeling comfortable and cute — and that is exactly how it should be. Because when you take the time to be intentional about what you wear, that outfit becomes something so much more than just clothes. Someday you are going to look back at these photos and it is going to take you right back — the way the light felt, the sound of your kids laughing, the way your heart was so full that day.

You deserve to look back at these photos and love how confident and happy you were — and that is because you put in the work, slowed down, and took the time to find something that makes you feel like you.

If you are wanting family photos but don't know what to wear, I hope this blog helps you choose your outfit with confidence — because you deserve to feel good. And if you are ready to book a session with me, contact me Let's connect!

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