One of the most common challenges clients face after booking a session is knowing what to wear. I totally get it! Knowing what to wear in your everyday life can be tough enough. Which is why I’m here to help. Choosing what to wear for summer family photos offers more flexibility and fun than any other season. In this post I will share all the tips on coordinating, considering your location, putting mom first, adding visual interest, the best fabrics for summer, and so much more.

What to Wear for Summer Family Photos Outfit Tips:

Tips 1: Coordinate DON’T Match!

Instead of matching outfits exactly, coordinate outfits with two or three colors that look good on everyone. I recommend starting with 1-2 base colors such as cream and tan then adding in 2-3 pops of color such as rust orange and olive green. Choose various shades of each color to create a visually appealing color palette that in complementary to your location. This creates a cohesive look without being overly uniform

Tip 2: Keep Your Location in Mind

Your location sets the tone of your session and should influence your color palette. For example, navy blue and black in lush green scenery will cause you to look washed out. Whereas jewel tones pop and look amazing in fall foliage. For summer sessions, I recommend light-colored clothing as it reflects sunlight and keeps you cooler.

Tip 3: Plan Moms Outfit First

As a mom, I know how easy it is to plan everything for everyone else and completely forget about myself. Let’s avoid the stress of that and just start with planning mom’s outfit first. Pick something you feel beautiful, comfortable and confident in. Find something that is figure flattering, allows for movement, and is slightly dressier than your everyday look.

Tip 4: Add Visual Interest

It’s important to remain true to yourselves while still wearing outfits for your summer session that photograph well. I recommend keeping patterns subtle and in short supply. Instead, use textures like lace, linen, or crochet to add visual interest without adding weight or heat.

Tip 5: Wear Breathable Fabrics

When picking out what to wear for summer family photos there are less limitation with not needing to add many layers. But make sure you choose light-weight, breathable fabrics. Focus on fabrics that allow air circulation, such as cotton, linen, chambray, and moisture-wicking materials. Avoid heavy or synthetic fabrics that can trap heat like polyester.

Tip 6: Don’t Forget About Your Shoes!

Choose location appropriate shoes that are comfortable and breathable. Such as sandals, espadrilles, ballerina flats, small pumps, or canvas shoes. Make sure they are broken in and fit well to prevent blisters during the shoot. Or better yet, plan your session at a location that would make losing the shoes easier and take that added layer of planning out.

Tip 7: Keep it Natural

Keep hairstyles simple and weather-appropriate to avoid frizz or discomfort. Opt for light, natural makeup that won’t melt in the warmer temps. Consider using setting spray to keep makeup in place.

Bonus Tips For Summer Family Photos

1. Keep your skin protected from the sun. We will most likely stick to shaded areas or schedule your session around sunset, but be sure to keep the sun in mind when planning your outfits.
2. First comes summer, then comes mosquitos! I usually carry a non-toxic bug repellent in my camera bag or mosquito patches to help with keeping those pesty bugs from eating us alive. But just incase I forget, it’s never a bad idea to protect your family prior to our session.
3. Ensure everyone is well-hydrated and rested before the shoot to avoid discomfort and fatigue. Bring water bottles for quick hydration breaks.
4. Half the fun of summer is the abundance of outdoor activities. I’m a big fan of turning summer family photos into an activity such as walking on the beach, splashing in the river, or playing in a park. So make sure your outfits are suitable for movement and won’t get easily ruined by sand, water, or grass.

Why What You Wear For Summer Family Photos Matters:

What you wear for summer family photos will largely impact how you feel during your session and influence your final images.

Feeling physically comfortable in what you’re wearing enable your family to engage effortlessly in various poses and activities. Which makes it easier to capture  authentic moments. The psychological effects of comfort involve feeling more confident and relaxed, translating into more natural and emotive photographs.

My Favorite Dress Shops when Shopping for Mom

I know it’s hard, but I always encourage mom’s to plan their outfit first for family photos. This is because moms are known for putting ourselves last. But I want you to feel beautiful, confident and relaxed during your session. One of the simplest ways to do that is to just plan your outfit. Then build your color palette and coordinate the rest of your families outfits around yours.

Here are some of my favorite dress shops when shopping for mom:

Baltic Born – for moms who love variety, color and fun patterns

Bohme – for elegant, timeless pieces that can be worn for multiple occasions

Free People – for free spirited, earthy moms who love flowy dresses that make you feel like a goddess

Joyfoli – for the bohemian mama who would also like to purchase something for her little girls from the same shop

Pact – for those who appreciate sustainable fashion that is timeless and sophisticated

Quince – for mom’s who appreciate comfort and elegance who value sustainably made, budget friendly clothing

Other shop options:

Old Navy

Target

H & M

Gap

Worth Collective

Madewell

Or better yet, SHOP LOCAL boutiques in the area!

Summer Family Outfit Inspiration:

Conclusion

Well there you have it! All my tips and suggestions for helping make planning your summer family session outfits easy and seamless. From understanding why coordination is better than matching, to keeping your footwear in mind. This post, along with my detailed style guide and one to one styling assistance from me is sure to give you the info to feel like a queen walking into your summer family photo session. If you have any questions, or additional tips that I missed, please leave a comment below. Or reach out and let’s chat!

For more helpful information, check out these related posts:

Summer Location Guide: Eugene Oregon Photographer

What to Wear for Spring Family Photos

Outdoor Family Photos in Eugene, Or

Prepare for Oregon Coast Family Photos

Prepare for Stress-Free Family Photos