One of the most common questions I get before an outdoor family session is:
“What should we wear?”

The short answer? It depends — mostly on the season, the location, and the overall feel you want your photos to have. The good news is that choosing outfits doesn’t have to be stressful. With a few simple guidelines, you can create a look that feels natural, coordinated, and timeless.

Below is my seasonal breakdown to help you feel confident and prepared.

Winter Outdoor Sessions ❄️

Winter sessions are typically snow-filled and beautifully neutral, which means your clothing choices can really shine.

What works best:

Soft pastels, greys, and neutral tones
Pops of jewel tones for warmth and contrast
White-on-white looks (especially stunning against snow)

Texture is key in winter.
Chunky knits, scarves, layered sweaters, and wool fabrics add depth and visual interest without overpowering the scene.

Outerwear matters.
Don’t be afraid to wear coats — just be selective:

✔️ Simple wool or structured coats
✔️ Coordinated scarves, hats, and gloves
❌ Puffy coats or bulky parkas (they photograph heavy and distract from faces)

Winter is the least popular season for outdoor family photos, but when styled well, it produces some of the most magical imagery.

Spring Outdoor Sessions 🌸

Spring sessions are all about freshness, light, and movement.

Color palette ideas:

Soft tones and light primary colors
Creams, blush, sage, pale blue, soft yellow

Spring backgrounds tend to be green and floral, so flowy fabrics photograph beautifully and move naturally in the breeze.

Accessories work well here:

Light scarves
Simple jewelry
Floral elements

Flowers can even double as props — they encourage genuine interaction and add a natural, seasonal touch to your images.

Sample spring color palette for family photos

Summer Outdoor Sessions ☀️

Summer is the most flexible season — almost anything can work when styled thoughtfully.

Let the location guide you:

Coastal / lighthouse vibes: reds, navy, nautical tones
Cape or beach settings: lighter palettes with coral, sea green, soft blues
Classic summer look: hydrangea-inspired palettes for clean, timeless images

One thing to avoid:
Everyone wearing jeans and white shirts. While simple, it often looks flat and dated in photos.

Instead, mix light fabrics, varied silhouettes, and complementary colors to keep the images fresh and elevated.

Autumn Outdoor Sessions 🍁 (My Favorite!)

Fall is hands-down my favorite season for color.

What to wear:

Jewel tones and earth tones photograph beautifully
Emerald, navy, burgundy, marigold, rust, deep plum

What to skip:

Bright white
Pastels (they tend to wash out against fall foliage)

Layers, textures, and richer fabrics really shine during autumn sessions and add depth without feeling heavy.

Sample fall color palette for family photos

Coordinated, Not “Matchy-Matchy”

I always recommend coordinating — not matching.

It’s perfectly okay (and encouraged!) to mix:

One floral with one plaid
A geometric or stripe paired with a solid
Subtle patterns used sparingly

The key is connection.
Try to tie everyone together with at least one shared color, even if the outfits themselves are different.

A Note on White & Monochromatic Looks

I personally love photos rich in color, which is why I often steer away from white in my own family photos. That said, if bold color feels overwhelming, monochromatic styling is a beautiful minimalist option.

How to do it well:

Choose one base color
Use different shades of that same color
Add texture or subtle patterns so everyone doesn’t blend together
Mix silhouettes and styles

For example:
If you’re choosing two dresses, make sure they’re distinctly different — one textured, one smooth; one structured, one flowy; one patterned, one solid.

Sample neutral monochromatic color palette for family photos

You’re Not Doing This Alone

One of the biggest parts of your experience with Anna Kay Photography isn’t just the photos — it’s the guidance leading up to them.

If choosing outfits feels overwhelming, that’s completely normal. My clients regularly send me photos of what they’re considering wearing, and I’m happy to help fine-tune color coordination, balance patterns, or suggest small adjustments so everything photographs beautifully together.

Sometimes it’s as simple as:

Swapping one color
Adjusting textures
Or making sure no one blends into the background

You don’t need to have it all figured out before your session — that’s what I’m here for.

Use Pinterest as Inspiration (Not a Rulebook)

Pinterest can be a great starting point when you’re feeling stuck. Searching phrases like “outdoor family photo color palette” or “fall family photo outfits” can help you visualize combinations you may not have thought of on your own.

That said, Pinterest is meant to inspire — not pressure you. We’ll always adapt ideas to what you already own, what feels like you, and what works best for your session location and season.

A Small Client Closet (When It Helps)

I also have a small client closet available, primarily for:

Newborn sessions
Maternity sessions

While it’s not extensive, I do have a few select pieces that can sometimes help pull a look together or fill a gap if needed. If something from the client closet makes sense for your session, we can absolutely explore that option.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing to remember is this:
Your photos should feel like you — just a little more polished.

When outfits are thoughtfully chosen, they enhance connection, emotion, and storytelling without stealing the spotlight. And if you’re ever unsure, that’s exactly what I’m here for. I’m always happy to help guide you so your session feels relaxed, confident, and beautifully you