What to Wear for Your Outdoor Family Photo Shoot
Expert Styling Tips from PJL Photography – Family Photographer in Lancaster & the South Lakes
Planning Your Family Session
Your outdoor family photo shoot is a wonderful opportunity to capture your family’s warmth, laughter, and connection in a beautiful natural setting.
But one of the most common questions I’m asked is:
“What should we wear for our family photo shoot?”
Choosing the right outfits can make all the difference — helping your images look timeless, natural, and beautifully coordinated.
Here are my top tips for preparing your family for the big day.
1. Coordinate, Don’t Match
Matching identical outfits (like everyone in white shirts and jeans) can look flat in photos. Instead, choose 2–3 complementary colours and build everyone’s outfit around that palette.
Soft, neutral tones and gentle pops of colour always photograph beautifully outdoors.
A few examples:
Blues, creams, and beige for a relaxed coastal feel
Greens, browns, and mustard tones for autumn sessions
Pinks, greys, and navy for classic, timeless portraits
💡 Tip: Lay your family’s outfits together on the bed to check how they work as a group.
Your photo shoot might take place in a forest, park, or by the coast — so it’s important to be comfortable.
Spring/Summer: Light fabrics, rolled sleeves, soft colours, and simple footwear like sandals or trainers.
Autumn/Winter: Cosy knits, boots, scarves, and rich tones like burgundy, olive, and mustard.
Layers are perfect — they not only keep you warm but add texture and depth to your photos.
3. Keep It Simple and Timeless
Avoid bold logos, neon colours, or large patterns — they draw attention away from your faces and can date your photos.
Solid tones, subtle prints, and natural fabrics always photograph beautifully.
“The goal is for your portraits to feel timeless — images you’ll still love decades from now.”
4. Add Texture and Layers
Textures such as denim, linen, lace, or knitwear add a lovely tactile quality to your images.
Consider adding layers like cardigans, scarves, or jackets to bring extra depth and interest to your look.
5. Think About Footwear
Footwear often shows in family portraits, especially for full-length shots.
Choose shoes that match your outfit’s tone and the location — boots for woodland paths, trainers for the park, or sandals for the beach.
Avoid overly bright or brand-heavy footwear — subtle always looks best.
6. Comfort = Confidence
The best portraits happen when you’re comfortable and relaxed.
Make sure everyone (especially little ones!) is dressed in something that feels good and allows for movement.
Happy, comfortable people always photograph better than perfectly styled but uncomfortable ones!
7. Prepare Children in Advance
If young children are part of the session, talk to them beforehand about what will happen — and let them choose an accessory they love, like a scarf or hat.
Bring along a favourite toy or snack to keep them happy between shots. The more relaxed they feel, the more genuine their smiles will be.
8. Accessorise Thoughtfully
A few subtle accessories can add personality — hats, scarves, or soft jewellery work beautifully.
Just keep it simple so your faces remain the focus.
Final Thoughts – Let’s Tell Your Family Story
Your outdoor family photo shoot with PJL Photography is about connection, emotion, and capturing your story.
With simple, coordinated outfits and a relaxed approach, your portraits will feel genuine and timeless — something you’ll treasure for years to come.
📸 Ready to plan your session?
Book your outdoor family photo shoot today: www.pjlphotography.net/contact
