A few thoughtful choices can help your family feel relaxed and look beautifully coordinated.

One of the most common questions I get before a family session is:

"What should we wear?"

And honestly? I get it.

In fact, as I'm writing this, our own family photos are this week and I've been asking myself the exact same question.

As a photographer, I probably should have this figured out by now, right?

Not exactly.

I found shirts for my husband and two older boys at Walmart. Then I stopped by Goodwill and found a couple options for my youngest son. Once everyone tried things on, we narrowed down what worked.

And then there was me.

I usually tell moms to start with their outfit first, but this time I didn't.

Honestly, sometimes that advice can feel like a lot of pressure.

Instead, I found everyone else's outfits first. Once I knew what colors and styles we were working with, I felt like I had more direction. I tried on four dresses at one store, two more at another, and none of them felt quite right. Then I came home, looked through my closet, and found a dress I already owned that will work just fine. I even have a couple Amazon options arriving just in case.

The biggest difference?

I'm not stressed.

And that's probably my biggest tip when it comes to choosing outfits for family photos.

Don't overcomplicate it.

I recently recorded a podcast episode about perfectionism, and I think family photos are one of the places it shows up the most.

We convince ourselves that every outfit has to be perfect.

Every color has to match.

Every detail has to be figured out.

But the truth is, your family's outfits don't have to be perfect to create beautiful photos.

They simply need to work together.

The photos your family will love years from now won't be the ones where everyone had the perfect outfit.

They'll be the ones that remind you what this season of life felt like.

Gone are the days of everyone wearing the exact same white shirt and blue jeans.

Instead, think about coordinating colors.

Some of my favorite colors for summer family sessions include:

• Sage green

• Soft blue

• Cream

• Tan

• Dusty pink

• Light gray

• Soft florals

Choose a color palette and let each family member wear something that fits within it.

The goal is coordination, not matching.

Summer sessions can be warm, especially here in North Carolina.

Choose outfits that allow you to move, sit, walk, hug your kids, and feel comfortable.

If you're constantly adjusting your dress, pulling on your shirt, or worrying about whether something fits correctly, it can be difficult to relax and enjoy the experience.

Comfort creates confidence.

And confidence photographs beautifully.

Simple is almost always better.

Large logos, graphics, and overly busy patterns tend to draw attention away from the people in the image.

A subtle pattern can work beautifully, but when in doubt, keep things simple.

Remember: the focus should be on your family.

Not your clothing.

A flowing dress may feel perfect in a field at sunset.

A more casual outfit may fit better at a farm, downtown location, or lakeside session.

Think about where your session is taking place and choose clothing that feels natural for that environment.

The more natural everything feels, the more timeless your photos will be.

The funny thing about family photos is that years from now, nobody is going to remember whether your dress came from Amazon, Target, Walmart, a boutique, or your own closet.

They'll remember your son's laugh.

They'll remember how small your daughter was when she held your hand.

They'll remember the way everyone looked at each other.

They'll remember the season of life you were in.

The outfits matter.

But they don't matter as much as you think.

So if you're currently standing in front of your closet wondering what to wear, take a deep breath.

Find something you feel good in.

Coordinate the family.

Don't stress over every little detail.

And remember: the goal isn't perfection.

The goal is preserving memories.

About M.Gioeli Photography

Megan Gioeli of M.Gioeli Photography is a family, senior, and branding photographer based in Mocksville, NC, serving Clemmons, Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas. She works with families and small business owners to create authentic, meaningful images while helping them feel confident in how they show up—both online and in real life.