Wondering what to wear for family photos? I’m Linda Sobolewski, a family and senior portrait photographer based on the Connecticut shoreline. I photograph families, newborns, and seniors up and down the CT shoreline, from Guilford to Old Saybrook, and this is the most common question families ask me. So I’ve put everything I tell my clients into this guide.
Let’s be honest, outfit planning for family photos feels a little overwhelming. You’re coordinating multiple people, second-guessing every color, and hoping the kids don’t have a meltdown before you even leave the house. Here’s what I want you to know before you stress-spiral into your closet: getting this right is absolutely doable, and it makes a bigger difference than most people realize. Not in a “you need to look perfect” way – in a “let your actual family shine” way. Let me break down exactly what works for sessions here in Connecticut from the golden evenings of July to those tricky shoulder months when the temperature has absolutely no chill.
Why Outfits Matter More Than You Think (and Not for the Reason You’d Expect)
There’s a lot of noise in the photography world right now about ditching the curated look in favor of something raw and real. And I get it – nobody wants to feel like they’re performing a version of their family that doesn’t exist.
But here’s something that often gets left out of that conversation: your outfit choices genuinely affect how your photos read to the viewer. And guess who is the main viewer here? YOU.
Think about it this way. If I showed you the exact same image of the same family – same light, same location, same genuine moment – once in uncoordinated clothing and once in thoughtfully coordinated outfits, the difference would be staggering. When the clothing feels chaotic, the viewer’s eye gets pulled to the clothes instead of to your family. And when you’re investing in family photos, the last thing you want is for someone to notice what you’re wearing instead of that ridiculously adorable expression on your toddler’s face, that classic eyeroll on your teenager, or the way your seven-year-old still curls into your lap.
Coordinating does not mean you all need to be matching. It does not mean flowy boho dresses in a field if that’s not who you are. It means thinking about your location, the season, the color palette as a whole – and making sure everything feels harmonious. Harmonious colors let the photograph do what it’s actually supposed to do: highlight your family.
Dressing for Connecticut: What the Landscape Actually Calls For
When I start thinking about summer outfit coordination for sessions here in Connecticut, the first thing I consider is the landscape. And unless you’re at the beach, everything around us is very green in the summer. Like, deeply, richly, almost aggressively green.
So the first rule? Don’t wear green. We don’t want you camouflaging into your surroundings – we want you to pop.
The second thing I think about is finding a color family that works with the season rather than against it. In summer, the grass is rich, the wildflowers are out, and that golden evening light is everything. That warmth calls for warm, earthy tones:
- If you’re at the beach or in the city, sage works beautifully too
- Camel, brown, mustard, rust red, burnt orange
- Cornflower blue, cream, mauve
Cool-toned primary colors – think bright blues, stark reds, or anything neon – tend to look jarring against all that warm golden hour summer light. They fight with the environment instead of complementing it.
And for beach or city sessions? You have a little more flexibility, but the warm palette still holds up beautifully.
The Shoulder Months: May, June, September
These months are sneaky. Everyone wants to dress for the cute, light, summer-adjacent vibe – and I completely understand that. But evenings cool off fast here in New England, and a kid who is too cold (or too hot) during a session is not a cooperative kid.
Plan for layers. Always.
This doesn’t mean you sacrifice the look. It means you build it in:
- Sweaters, denim jackets, or cardigans that can go on or come off
- Cozy textures that photograph beautifully and serve a real purpose
- Layers you can peel back if the sun is still strong, or pile on once it dips
Trust me on this one. I’ve seen sessions where beautiful outfits were picked but nobody thought about the 6pm temperature drop, and we spent half the session managing unhappy, shivering kids instead of capturing the good stuff.
My Actual Outfit Tips (The Specific Stuff)
Here’s where I get into the details. These are the recommendations I give every single family before their session.
For Moms and Adults
- Maxi dresses or skirts are always a win…they drape in a photogenic way no matter what unusual angle your toddler has you in. For a more casual vibe, jeans with a flowy top – think oversized linen or a soft, roomy sweater – look gorgeous and move beautifully.
- Rompers and overalls are great options. No constant tugging or adjusting.
- Avoid tight or low-cut options. Family sessions involve throwing kids, sitting on the ground, squatting, bending, and twirling. Your outfit needs to move with you, not against you. Check how something fits when you sit, bend, and reach – not just when you’re standing in front of the mirror.
- No bright white. Ivory, off-white, and cream are all gorgeous. Bright white can blow out in photos and is also… a risky choice around small children.
- Avoid black and neons as main pieces.
For Kids
Skip collared or mock neck shirts for kids under 5. Those collars tend to stick up and block little faces in photos. Crew neck styles are always the better call.
Comfort is everything. Some kids truly do not care what they’re wearing. But a lot of kids have strong feelings about itchy fabrics, tight sleeves, or shoes that don’t feel right. If you already know your child is sensitive to a certain fabric or style, this is not the session to push it. I promise you, you do not want to spend your photoshoot time negotiating with a four-year-old about itchy sleeves.
For young babies and kids in short dresses: please don’t forget diaper covers or bike shorts underneath.
For the Overall Family Look
Harmonious, not matching. Everyone doesn’t need to be in the same color – they just need to feel like they belong in the same photo.
One bold pattern and one small or muted pattern is the sweet spot. More than that gets visually busy.
Texture makes a huge difference. Think lace, ruffles, buttons, overalls, suspenders, tights, bonnets, hats, layered jackets. Texture adds dimension and visual interest to photos in a way that flat fabrics just don’t.
The Functionality Factor (This One Derails More Sessions Than You’d Think)
I want to spend a second on this because it’s the thing clients most often overlook – and it’s the thing that, when it goes wrong, affects the entire session.
Your outfit can look perfect in the mirror and still completely fail during a family photo session.
For adults, this means thinking beyond the static, straight-on mirror check. Ask yourself:
- Can I sit cross-legged in this without it pulling or gaping?
- Can I crouch down to my kid’s level?
- Can I lift a toddler onto my hip without my shirt riding up?
- Can I run, spin, or kneel without anything shifting somewhere unflattering
For kids, comfort is the whole game. If you have a child who you already know is particular about sleeves, waistbands, shoe straps, or scratchy tags – honor that. Plan around it. A session where a kid is focused on physical discomfort is a session where getting genuine, joyful expressions becomes a real challenge.
This isn’t about lowering your standards for the look. It’s about choosing pieces that work for your family in motion – because that’s exactly what we’re capturing.
Your Outfits Set the Stage – Your Family Does the Rest
When the clothing feels intentional and functional, something really good happens: nobody is thinking about the clothes anymore. Not you, not me, not anyone looking at the photos later. All the attention goes exactly where it belongs – to your kids, your connection, the real moments happening in real time.
That’s the whole point of getting this right. It’s not about being perfectly styled. It’s about removing one more distraction so your actual family story can come through.
If you’re feeling unsure about your outfit choices before your session, reach out. Helping clients pull this together is genuinely one of my favorite parts of the process, and I’m happy to weigh in before you commit to anything.
Ready to Book Your Connecticut Family Session?
Get in touch here and we’ll figure out the details together
– outfits included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors look best in family photos?
Muted tones and jewel tones photograph beautifully. Pick 2–3 complementary colors and have everyone wear a variation of them.
Should everyone match in family photos?
No, matching outfits look dated. Coordinate around a shared color palette instead, and use layers and accessories to tie everyone together.
What should you avoid wearing in family photos?
Avoid bright white, neon colors, large logos, text on clothing, shorts on dads, turtlenecks, and anything baggy or ill-fitting.
Can my photographer help me choose outfits?
Yes! I review outfit flat-lay photos for every family I photograph, so no one clashes or blends into the background.
Where is Linda Sobolewski Photography located?
I’m based on the Connecticut shoreline and photograph families, newborns, and high school seniors up and down the CT shoreline, from Guilford to Old Saybrook.
Linda Sobolewski is a family and senior portrait photographer serving the Connecticut shoreline from Guilford to Old Saybrook. She photographs families, newborns, and high school seniors at Connecticut’s most beautiful coastal locations
To get in touch with me about a Connecticut Family Session of your own, click below. I’d love to chat!
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