Stumped on what to wear for your family photos at home?

Ask any photographer — the number one question everyone has prior to any session is, “WHAT DO I WEAR?! 😩”

There are lots of potential answers to that question based on a zillion different variables, but I have some specific advice for families who are planning family photos at home, which is the choice location for the vast majority of Sunday Vibes clients!

Let’s get to it!

1. Keep It Casual for photos at home

Home sessions are all about documenting the cozy, relaxed, laid back vibes of family time at home. In fact, this was the inspiration behind my business name – Sunday Vibes! Way back when I was dreaming of documenting families in an honest, artful way, I was picturing moms and dads with steaming cups of coffee, kiddos bouncing around in jammies or cozy clothes, toys on the floor, books on the bed, sun streaming through the windows. It’s ordinary. And it’s magic!

So, when you’re choosing what to wear for family photos at home, my number one piece of advice is to keep things casual. Many of my clients keep the kids in their PJs for Saturday morning sessions, which is great! If it’s winter time, folks often choose comfy jeans and oversized sweaters. Lots of times, mamas opt for flowy lounge pants of some sort, which is perfectly cozy and comfortable.

And yes, yes, yes to bare feet. Nothing says cozying up at home like everyone piled on mom and dad’s bed in cozy clothes and bare feet.

And bonus! You won’t have to stress over what shoes to wear!

The Muncy fam planned to wear matching PJs for their at home family photos in January, which created a perfect, post-christmas, homey feel for their images. See more highlights from their session here!

2. Neutrals for the win

Regardless of session location, you cannot go wrong choosing a neutral color palette for family photos. But particularly when it comes to at-home photo sessions, neutrals are vital.

The backdrop of homes tend to be busy — open shelving in the kitchen, bookcases along the living room walls, toys on display in the kids rooms, family photos hanging behind mom and dad’s bed. Even if your home is tidy and low on clutter, there are still lots of items competing for visual attention when it comes to photos.

With all of that going on, you definitely do not want colorful clothes on that might feel distracting or clash with the tones in the background.

Also, neutral colors are timeless. You’re not likely to look back in embarrassment or disgust decades from now if you’re wearing denim and a cream sweater in your family photos!

Plus, neutrals allow for the focus to truly be on the people, the relationships, and the connect displayed in the images. Your family photos should not feel like a production or a fashion show! They should shine a creative light on the people in your family and the nuanced, silly, affectionate way you do life together.

For neutrals inspiration, check out the Sandbek’s recent session. Maddie did a great job of styling everyone with color, while still keeping things neutral and simple.

3. Incorporate Texture

Just because you’ve opted for a neutral toned wardrobe doesn’t mean it has to be boring. My favorite way to add visual interest (and an even cozier vibe) is through texture. Waffle knits, cable knits, crinkle gauze, worn-in denim — there are so many ways to incorporate a variety of textures into your outfit choices.

In the summer time, linen is a perfect choice!

My favorite places to shop for simple outfits with rich textures are Zara Kids, H&M, and Uniqlo. For mamas, I LOVE Madewell and Zara!

4. Let Mom Stand Out!

If you’re going to incorporate a pop of color or pattern into your wardrobe choice for at-home family photos, I recommend doing it in mom’s outfit! Mamas are so often the ones behind the camera, which is why it’s so valuable to invest in professional family photos on a regular basis! If you’re hiring a photographer to come to your home and document the magic of your family life, mama can have a little fun with her outfit choice.

For home sessions, this might mean that mom wears a floral print, while the rest of the family stays in solid colored clothing. Or, maybe mom wears a pop of color, while everyone else is in mild, neutral tones.

In group photos, moms are typically in the center, so this gives a nice visual balance to the images.

5. Avoid logos, bright colors, or distracting prints

You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s honestly so vital for family photos at home. Bright colors can create a weird color cast that makes editing a nightmare for photographers. You definitely don’t want a strange skin tone situation ruining an otherwise beautiful image!

Logos and distracting prints can be just that — distracting. Plus they can really date an image, and if you’re investing in at home family photos, you want them to be as timeless as possible. Hopefully these will be special enough to pass down from generation to generation.

I’ve got you!

If you’re a Sunday Vibes client, I’ve got your back when it comes to wardrobe choice! Each of my clients receive a welcome and session prep guide after they book, which has lots of advice on what to wear, including example color palettes.

Also, for clients who book my Signature Sunday Vibes session, I am available to be involved as much or little in the wardrobe planning process as you want.

Some clients like to shoot me a text ahead of time with outfit options for each member of the family. Other clients try on a couple of different choices on the day of after I arrive for the session!

In the past, I’ve even sent clients personalized inspiration boards with links to items/shops they could consider while shopping for outfits.

Definitely let me know if you’re stuck on what to wear for your family photos, and we can focus on that during your pre-session consultation!

Bottom Line — What to wear for family photos at home

Family photos are not all about clothing choice. But honestly, wardrobe selection really can take a session from just being okay to completely magical. And usually it has to do with removing distractions, creating a comfortable environment, and letting all the focus remain on the real stars of the show — you and your family.

Remember to stay casual, neutral, textured, and distraction free, while still making space for mom to shine as the center of the family ✨

If you’re looking to book family photos at home in the Richmond, Va area, reach out to me! I’d love to capture the everyday magic of your family life in this season ♥️.