Couple standing outside a mid-century modern stone building with cacti and palm trees in Palm Springs.

EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTOS OUTFIT GUIDE


EXTENDED FAMILY PHOTOS OUTFIT GUIDE


Family of four posing on desert rocks at Joshua Tree National Park with boulders and Joshua trees in background.
Family of three embracing by a luxurious outdoor pool with palm trees and mountain views in Palm Springs.
Family of four holding hands at golden hour with mountain backdrop on rocky terrain.
Family of four walks hand-in-hand along a sunny resort path lined with palm trees and blooming bougainvillea.

What to Wear for Your Extended Family Session


Bringing together multiple generations is something truly special, and choosing outfits doesn't have to be stressful. With a little coordination, your family can look cohesive without feeling overly matched.

The goal is simple: create a timeless look that allows your family's love and connection to take center stage.

Start with a Color Palette

Instead of assigning everyone the same outfit, choose a palette of 4–6 complementary colors and let each family dress within those tones.

The Coachella Valley doesn't experience dramatic seasonal changes like other parts of the country. Instead, our landscape stays beautifully warm and earthy year-round, with subtle shifts in color. Choosing outfits that complement the desert will help create timeless, cohesive images. The desert is filled with golden grasses, sandy washes, rocky mountains, and muted earth tones.


🌼 Spring (Wildflower Season)

After a rainy winter, the desert briefly comes alive with fresh green grasses and colorful wildflowers.

Add a little more color with:

  • Sage Green
  • Eucalyptus
  • Soft Olive
  • Dusty Rose
  • Blush
  • Lavender
  • Butter Yellow
  • Soft Peach
  • Cream
  • Light Denim


☀️ Summer (Hot Hot Hot)

While it's hot, the landscape remains dry and golden. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton not only keep you cool but also photograph beautifully in the desert light.

Keep outfits light and breathable:

  • White
  • Ivory
  • Sand
  • Oatmeal
  • Beige
  • Linen
  • Light Olive
  • Soft Taupe
  • Dusty Blue


🍂 Fall & Winter

The temperatures become more comfortable, but the landscape remains warm and golden.

Think cozy layers and rich, earthy tones:

  • Camel
  • Rust
  • Terracotta
  • Olive
  • Mustard
  • Chocolate Brown
  • Cream
  • Burgundy
  • Deep Forest Green
  • Soft Gray


🌴 Colorful Palm Springs

If you're drawn to Palm Springs' iconic neighborhoods, colorful doors, retro hotels, or vibrant architecture, your wardrobe can be a little more playful while still feeling polished.

This style is perfect if you're looking for photos that feel fun, modern, and unmistakably Palm Springs.

Colors that work beautifully:

  • White
  • Cream
  • Black
  • Coral
  • Turquoise
  • Teal
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Emerald Green
  • Mustard
  • Soft Pink
  • Hot Pink (as an accent)
  • Orange
  • Sunny Yellow


🌿 Palm Springs Grass & Resort Landscapes

Palm Springs’ grassy parks and golf course resorts offer a softer, more romantic backdrop with lush green lawns, palm trees, and mountain views. For these locations, we recommend choosing colors that complement the greenery while still feeling natural and timeless.

Think California resort elegance — soft neutrals, warm earth tones, and subtle pops of color that photograph beautifully against the grass.

These colors create a timeless, elevated look and allow the landscape to shine.

  • Cream
  • Ivory
  • Oatmeal
  • Beige
  • Sand
  • Camel
  • Warm taupe
  • Light gray
  • Soft brown

Pair with: linen textures, flowy dresses, cotton shirts, knit sweaters, or natural fabrics.


🌊 Resort-Inspired Pops of Color

For a more vibrant Palm Springs look, don’t be afraid of color! These shades pair beautifully with green lawns and colorful hotel landscapes.

  • Emerald green
  • Teal
  • Turquoise
  • Deep coral
  • Mustard yellow
  • Cobalt blue
  • Tropical pink

These work especially well at iconic Palm Springs resorts, colorful neighborhoods, and locations with mid-century architecture.


Palm Springs color palette guide featuring desert landscape, spring wildflower, and colorful Palm Springs themed swatches.

Shoes Count

Shoes are often visible in photos, so choose styles that coordinate with your outfits.

Neutral sandals, boots, loafers, simple flats, or clean dress shoes work wonderfully. Bright athletic shoes can be distracting unless they naturally fit your family's style.


Think about the Location

Whether we're exploring Joshua Tree, wandering through the desert, or walking the neighborhoods of Palm Springs, choosing colors that complement the environment helps create a cohesive, timeless look. I typically think that earthy neutral colors work best in the desert areas while the neighborhoods of Palm Springs can be your opportunity to add a pop of color.


Coordinate, Don’t Match

Think of your family’s outfits as a collection of tones that work together. Choose a general color palette (warm neutrals, soft blues, earthy greens) and mix textures and subtle variations within those tones.

If someone is wearing a patterned piece (which can add beautiful visual interest), let that be the jumping-off point and build everyone else’s outfits around it using solids that pick up the colors in the pattern. This keeps things cohesive without feeling busy or forced.

Another way to add interest in LAYERS, a denim jacket over a dress or a blazer over a shirt, or even a simple button up over a t-shirt can add more visual interest to the outfit. Adding layers like cardigans, vests, or a scarf can give your photos depth and variety, especially if the weather is cool. Different textures—think knits, linen, denim, lace add subtle richness to your images.


Accessories

Simple jewelry, hats, scarves, or layered textures can add personality without overwhelming the images.

When in doubt, less is usually more.


The Goal Isn't Perfection

Your session is about celebrating the people who matter most. Whether you're gathering to celebrate Grandma's birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion, or simply because everyone is finally together, these photographs are about preserving this season of your family's story.

I'll guide everyone through the entire session from the big group portraits to individual families, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, cousins, and all of the candid moments in between so you can relax, enjoy one another, and leave with photographs that feel genuine and full of life.


A family of four poses happily against a stone wall with a cactus, featuring a pregnant woman in a white dress.
Family of four posing outdoors in desert landscape, parents and two children smiling in casual attire.
Family of six poses among Joshua trees at golden hour in the desert, wearing rich jewel-toned velvet outfits.

Here are a couple clothing items I would avoid:


  • Athletic shoes, especially bright ones with logos
  • Characters/logos on clothing (there are exceptions to this if you're going for a more street style vibe, example below)
  • Digital watches (apple watch)
  • Hair ties on wrists
  • Bright white (occasional has a blue color cast in bright sun) and Neon (sometimes this can look too harsh in the sun and create a color cast on your skin that is hard to correct)
  • Too many clashing patters, I love a good pattern, but sometimes too many people wearing a pattern can create a chaotic look. Pick one or two at most.
  • Ill fitting clothing or see through clothing (make sure undergarments aren't visible like bra straps)



Here are some example photos below of what families have worn to my shoots and if you need more help here is a link to my Pinterest board for more inspo: Family Photography Outfits


If you're unsure what to wear, I'm always happy to help. Feel free to send me photos of your outfit options, and I'd love to help you put everything together.

Group of people posing by a pool at a white mid-century modern home with palm trees and mountains in Palm Springs.
Family of six poses with a dog in a desert landscape with mountains in the background on a sunny day.
Family of five posing outdoors on green lawn with two black dogs, palm trees, and warm golden sunlight in background.
Group of friends posing by a pool surrounded by palm trees at a sunny backyard gathering in Palm Springs.
Large family group walking together on a sunny street with lush greenery and mountain backdrop in Palm Springs.
Small group of people gathered among tall desert palm trees on a sandy path at golden hour in an arid landscape.
Family enjoying a sunny Palm Springs pool day with mountain views, palm trees, and mid-century modern architecture.
Family walking a dog along a palm tree-lined path with mountain views in sunny Palm Springs, California.
Family of six posing in white outfits on green lawn with tall palm trees and Mediterranean building backdrop.
Elderly couple holding hands walking toward large family group on road with mountain backdrop.
Large family group portrait outdoors with mountain backdrop in desert landscape during golden hour.
Multi-generational family group portrait outdoors with desert mountains backdrop, including children and a dog.
Family gathering poolside with tall palm trees and mountain backdrop on a sunny day in Palm Springs.
Large family group portrait posed under blue awning outside elegant building with wooden doors.
Large family group posing outdoors with desert mountains and red flowering bushes in sunny Palm Springs backdrop.
Large family group photo in desert landscape with mountains at golden hour, wearing neutral tones.
Multi-generational family posing together outdoors in a sunny backyard, smiling for a group portrait photo.
Family group photo on green lawn with palm trees and mountains in background on sunny day.
Large family group smiling together in a sunny desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Large family group photo on a lush golf course with tall palm trees, posing together outdoors at dusk.
Couple holding hands walking toward a group of friends in a desert landscape at golden hour sunset.