What to Wear for Family Portraits (NJ & NYC, Season by Season)
A photographer's guide to coordinating — not matching — your family's outfits so everyone looks like themselves, only better.
May 13, 2026 · 3 min read
'What should we wear?' is the question we get most before a family portrait session — and getting it right does more for your photos than almost anything else. The secret isn't matching; it's *coordinating*, so everyone looks like themselves while the group reads as one. Here's how we guide families across New Jersey and New York City.
Coordinate a palette, don't match
The dated look of everyone in white shirts and jeans is out for good reason — it flattens a family into a uniform. Instead, pick a palette of two or three complementary colors and let each person wear their own version of it. Start with one anchor outfit (often a patterned dress or a jacket), then pull two or three colors from it for everyone else.
Lean into soft, muted tones
Cameras love muted, earthy colors — sage, navy, rust, cream, dusty blue, warm neutrals. They keep the focus on faces and age gracefully on a wall for decades. Very bright or neon colors can cast their hue onto skin and pull the eye away from the people. When in doubt, go one shade softer than you think.
Add texture and layers
Flat, plain outfits photograph flat. Texture and layering add depth and interest without adding clutter — think chunky knits, denim, corduroy, linen, a light jacket or scarf. Layers also give kids something to fidget with in a good way and let you adapt to changing weather during the session.
What to avoid
- ●Large logos or graphics — they date a photo and pull focus.
- ●Tight, busy patterns that clash when several people wear them.
- ●Neon or highly saturated colors that reflect onto skin.
- ●Brand-new shoes on kids (uncomfortable = unhappy faces).
- ●Everyone in the exact same color — coordinate, don't clone.
Dressing for the season
Spring & summer
Light fabrics and soft pastels or warm neutrals suit longer daylight and green backdrops. Linen, flowy dresses, and breathable layers keep everyone comfortable for outdoor sessions and evening golden-hour light.
Autumn
New Jersey's best season for portraits. Rust, mustard, deep green, and burgundy echo the foliage without competing with it. A light sweater or jacket adds texture and warmth for late-afternoon shoots.
Winter & holiday
Rich jewel tones, deep neutrals, and cozy knits photograph beautifully, especially for holiday sessions. Coats and scarves become styling, not just warmth. For city sessions, darker palettes stand out cleanly against stone and glass.
Dress the way you'd want to remember your family — comfortable, coordinated, and unmistakably you.
— Maximus Visions
Let the location guide you
Where you shoot matters as much as the season. Leafy suburban parks across Bergen County call for warmer, earthy tones; the stone and steel of a Manhattan or Brooklyn backdrop suits cleaner, cooler palettes. If you're planning an outdoor shoot, our engagement photo location guide doubles as inspiration for family sessions too.
Still unsure? We help every family plan outfits before the shoot. Book a session and we'll send you a personalized guide.
Frequently asked
Should my family match for portraits?
Coordinate rather than match. Choose a palette of two or three complementary colors and let each person wear their own version. Identical outfits flatten the group; a coordinated palette keeps everyone looking like individuals within one cohesive look.
What colors photograph best for family photos?
Soft, muted, and earthy tones — sage, navy, rust, cream, dusty blue, and warm neutrals — photograph best and age well. Avoid neon and highly saturated colors, which can reflect onto skin and pull focus from faces.
What should we wear for fall family photos in NJ?
Autumn suits rust, mustard, deep green, and burgundy, which complement the foliage. Add a light sweater or jacket for texture and warmth during late-afternoon golden-hour sessions.