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

FAMILY PHOTOS OUTFIT GUIDE


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 Family Session


One of the questions I get asked most is, "What should we wear?" The good news is that you don't need perfectly matching outfits or a whole new wardrobe. The best photos happen when everyone feels comfortable, confident, and like themselves.


Here are a few simple tips to help you choose outfits you'll love looking back on for years to come.

Start with Mom's Outfit

Choose the outfit you feel the most beautiful and comfortable in first, then build everyone else's outfits around it. Rather than matching exactly, think about coordinating colors and textures that complement each other.


Comfort Matters

Especially for little ones. Make sure everyone can move, play, sit, cuddle, and explore comfortably. Happy, comfortable kids almost always make for the best photographs.


Shoes Matter Too

Choose shoes that complement your outfits and the location. Neutral boots, sandals, clean sneakers, or simple flats tend to photograph much better than bright athletic shoes.


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.


Think in Terms of the Season

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

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.


The Most Important Thing

Don't stress about getting everything perfect.

Your photos aren't about perfectly coordinated outfits, they're about your family. The laughter, hugs, playful moments, and genuine connection are what make your images meaningful. My job is to guide you every step of the way so you can relax, have fun, and simply enjoy being together.


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.

Family walking past a decorative white lattice wall with a red door in a modern architectural setting.
Family of four sitting against a stone wall outdoors, parents and two kids smiling and looking at a phone.
A pregnant woman and man hold hands with a toddler at sunset near wind turbines in a golden field.
A happy family of four walks hand-in-hand along a sunny path surrounded by palm trees and cacti.
Family of five walking outdoors among green foliage, parents holding hands with three young children in warm autumn tones.
Family of five walking together on a sunny palm-lined path in a tropical resort setting.
Family of four poses among Joshua trees in a sunlit desert landscape, with rocky hills in the background.
Family of five walking hand-in-hand through a sunlit olive grove, parents with three young children on a dirt path.
Family of three poses outdoors in desert landscape with mountains, parents holding baby girl in white dress.
A pregnant woman and man embrace on sandy dunes while their toddler stands nearby, capturing a beautiful maternity family moment.
Family of four posing outdoors in desert landscape with mountains, two children playing on rocks while parents stand behind them.
Four people walking together through a sunny pine forest meadow with mountains in the background.
Couple in white outfits dancing in a sunlit desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Family of three standing in desert landscape with mountain backdrop and golden sunlight, surrounded by cacti and shrubs.
Family of five walking through a sunny green field with trees in the background during golden hour.
Couple standing among tall pine trees in golden meadow with sunlight filtering through, mountain landscape in background.
Five friends gather on rocky boulders in a sunny desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Family of five poses on a dirt path surrounded by lush green hills and trees during golden hour sunset.
Family of four poses on rocky desert terrain with golden sunlight and mountain backdrop.
Family of three poses in desert landscape with mountains and golden sunlight behind them.
Two dads share a tender moment outdoors, one kissing their baby while the other embraces them against a mountain backdrop.
Family of four in white outfits walking through Joshua Tree desert landscape at golden sunset.
A couple kisses their baby in a sunny desert landscape with mountains in the background.
Family of four walking hand-in-hand along a sunny palm-lined resort path with white buildings and blooming bougainvillea.
Family group standing on rocky desert terrain at golden hour with mountains and bright sunset in the background.
Family walking hand-in-hand at golden hour in Joshua Tree National Park with desert rocks and Joshua trees.