Coordinate, don't match. Pick two or three soft colors plus a neutral, spread them across the family, mix in a little texture and pattern, and dress everyone for the season and for comfort. That's 90% of it.
I'm Betsy, and after photographing families across Delaware and Central Ohio for over ten years, I can promise you this: the outfits matter, but not in the fussy way people fear. You don't need everyone in matching plaid. You need a simple, coordinated palette and clothes people feel like themselves in. Here's how I help families get there.
Coordinate, don't match
Matching outfits — same shirt, same jeans — tend to look stiff and dated. Coordinating means everyone wears the same family of colors in their own way. One person in a sage sweater, another in cream with a denim jacket, a little one in soft rust. Pulled together, not uniform.
Pick a palette of two or three colors
Start with two or three colors plus a neutral, then build each outfit from that set. Colors that photograph beautifully in natural light:
- Earthy tones — sage green, rust, mustard, terracotta, warm brown
- Soft neutrals — cream, oatmeal, taupe, soft white
- Muted blues — denim, dusty blue, navy
A quick trick: lay everyone's outfits out on a bed together before the session. If it looks good as a group there, it'll look good on camera.
Dress for the location and season
Warm earth tones sing in a fall orchard; soft neutrals feel fresh for spring and summer. For cooler months, layers add depth — cardigans, jackets, scarves, and boots photograph wonderfully and keep everyone comfortable outdoors. We shoot on location in natural light, so dressing for the weather is dressing for the photos.
What to avoid
- Large logos and slogans — they date the photo and pull the eye
- Neon or very bright single colors that cast onto skin
- Busy, clashing patterns on multiple people at once (one gentle pattern is lovely)
- Everyone in plain white tees and jeans — it reads flat and washes out
- Brand-new shoes or stiff outfits on kids — comfort wins every time
A quick checklist
Two or three colors plus a neutral · everyone in their own version of the palette · a little texture and one soft pattern · dressed for the season · comfortable, especially the kids · a backup outfit for little ones. Bring questions to your session and I'll help with the rest.