Photoshoot clothing ideas for Summer Families: A Visual Guide
Previously, I shared two other blog posts about what to wear on photoshoots. The first being Photoshoot clothing ideas for Spring and also Photoshoot clothing ideas for Summer and both of those advice columns were aimed at Couples. This time I thought I’d offer some photoshoot clothing ideas for summer and aim it at families. Whether it be at the beach, in a park or in the forest, there are perfect outfits for everyone shooting location.
As with any outfit, it’s best to say more with less when it comes to families. There are little humans to consider matching to also to anticipate an outfit or two ending up wet, muddy or grassy. The best thing to do is to lay out two or so outfits the night before and bring the one you don’t wear to the photoshoot as a backup. 3 of the families I list below ended up in the water in one way or another so it was good that they had spares.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to exactly match each other like those horrid family photos you used to be bribed into as a child… everyone wears black or white and everyone hates it. I encourage my families to think outside the box a little and more often than not, a colour theme will come through in their choices. Most families are just naturally synched with that they wear anyway, but it definitely helps if there is some variation to the outfits.
Below are some example of real families I have photographed who all chose their own outfits are some advice from me, and each and every one of them nailed it! Whether you’re shoeless at the beach or riding skateboards or trekking in the forest, what you choose to wear can really make a statement about how you put yourself out there and what you’ll see in prints in years to come.
You can check out more Photoshoot clothing ideas by visiting my Portraits page and see what other families have chosen to wear, too. Simply click here

What to wear on a summer photoshoot
by admin
This is always such a great idea to do!
Putting together a fun but simple clothing guide for families
helps to make decisions and give ideas when you don’t know what to do for that family portrait that you’ve booked!
Love this!!
Thanks Effie, I agree. I think a lot of people are “visual people”, like myself. I should put together a similar thing for my own outfits every morning. lol
These are great tips for dressing for a session! And I love the beautiful family portraits!
Thanks Erica
Honestly other than picking a time picking the right outfit is the hardest task when it comes to getting family portraits!
I know, right! Families always ask me what to wear.
This is great! Thank you for the tips for family photoshoots. It is always so difficult to decide what clothing to wear in a family shoot.
Thanks, Irene. 🙂