What to Wear for Family Photos in North Texas | Bonham & McKinney Family Photographer
- Cassandra Ebersole
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
Family photos are an investment in your memories, and one of the biggest questions I receive before every session is, "What should we wear?"
The good news? You don't need matching outfits or expensive new clothes to create beautiful, timeless images. A little planning goes a long way, and choosing outfits that coordinate instead of match will help your family photos feel natural and full of personality.
Whether you're planning your session in Bonham, McKinney, Sherman, Anna, Melissa, or anywhere across North Texas, these tips will help your family look their best.
Choose Colors That Complement Each Other
Instead of putting everyone in the exact same outfit or color, choose a color palette with three to five coordinating colors.
Some beautiful combinations include:
Cream, tan, sage, and dusty blue
Rust, cream, olive, and denim
Soft blues, ivory, and beige
Mauve, taupe, cream, and brown
Navy, camel, and white
Neutral colors photograph beautifully year-round and allow your family's connection to be the focus of every image.
Skip Large Logos and Busy Patterns
While a small pattern can add texture, clothing with large logos, neon colors, or busy graphics often pulls attention away from the people in the photograph.
Solid colors, soft florals, subtle textures, linen, lace, knit sweaters, and denim all photograph beautifully.
Dress Mom First
This might sound backwards, but I always recommend finding Mom's outfit first.
Once Mom has found a dress or outfit she loves, it's much easier to coordinate everyone else's clothing around those colors.
As a photographer, I want you to feel confident in your photos. When Mom feels beautiful, the entire session becomes more relaxed.
Use My Client Closet
One of my favorite parts of every session is helping families choose outfits.
Sweet Country Photography offers a growing client closet with dresses for moms and clothing options for children. These pieces are selected specifically because they photograph beautifully and help create timeless images.
Using the client closet can also save money and eliminate the stress of shopping for everyone.
Dress for Comfort
Kids play.
Parents cuddle.
Everyone laughs.
Choose clothing that allows your family to move comfortably throughout the session.
Flowy dresses photograph beautifully in the North Texas breeze, while comfortable shoes make walking between locations much easier.
Think About the Season
Every season offers beautiful colors throughout North Texas.
Spring
Think soft greens, creams, blush, dusty blue, and light neutrals that complement blooming flowers.
Summer
Choose breathable fabrics like linen and cotton with warm neutral colors.
Fall
Earth tones such as rust, olive, camel, cream, and brown blend perfectly with changing grasses and golden sunsets.
Winter
Cream sweaters, layered textures, darker neutrals, and cozy fabrics create warm, timeless portraits.
Coordinate Instead of Matching
Gone are the days when everyone wore identical white shirts and jeans.
Instead, mix textures and coordinating colors while allowing each person's personality to shine.
Your photos will feel more natural and have a timeless look that you'll still love years from now.
Don't Forget the Little Details
Small details make a big difference.
Before your session:
Remove smart watches if you don't want them visible.
Empty phones and keys from pockets.
Trim fingernails if they'll be visible in close-up images.
Choose neutral shoes whenever possible.
Steam or iron clothing before arriving.
These small touches help create polished, beautiful photographs.
Relax and Enjoy the Moment
The most important part of your family session isn't what you're wearing.
It's spending time together.
Some of my favorite images happen between the poses. The laughter, cuddles, tickles, and genuine smiles are what tell your family's story.
My goal is to guide you every step of the way so you never have to wonder what to do.
Ready to Plan Your Family Session?
If you're looking for a family photographer near Bonham, McKinney, Sherman, Anna, Melissa, or the surrounding North Texas area, I'd love to help create images you'll treasure for years to come.
From helping you choose outfits to guiding you through every pose, Sweet Country Photography is here to make your session fun, relaxed, and stress free.
Browse available sessions or contact me today to start planning your family's next photo session.
