Best Colors for Family Pictures Outside

Jennifer LaRoche Photography

My family portrait photography clients often ask me what they should wear for their photoshoot. Choosing color schemes and coordinating outfits is easy for many clients and a little challenging for others. That is why I am sharing my best advice and general styling tips for choosing the best colors for your family pictures. Consider these questions as you start planning your wardrobe:  

1. What are the wall colors in your home?
2. What is your personal color style?
3. What colors are in season?

Your Home Decor Colors

It is a good idea to think about the wall colors in your home as you plan your photoshoot outfits. You will want the colors in your family pictures to coordinate, not clash with your walls. Hallway-Canvases

Your Personal Color Style

Selecting a clothing color palette for your family session always comes down to personal preference. Just like with home decor, some people naturally gravitate towards bright, bold colors while others stick with muted or earthy tones.

• Create a cohesive color story by wearing one color palette. Choose either warmer shades in muted or earthy tones, or cooler shades in jewel tones or brights. 
• Build your outfits around one main clothing color and then select 1-3 complementary colors.

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Photo Tip! If you would like to wear white in your family pictures, add a colorful layering piece on top, like a sweater or scarf. White, black, and dark navy-blue garments worn around your face can create too much contrast and washout a portrait. Consider wearing darker colors on the bottom half of your body instead.

Coordinating Colors

This chart shows examples of clothing color combinations that pair well together.

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Family Photography Styling Tips

Large Family Group Summer Portrait, Wellesley, MAFamily photo sessions in Boston and eastern Massachusetts. Visit Jennifer LaRoche Photography for information about outdoor nature photo shoots for kids, teens, couples, small and large family groups, maternity, reunion pictures and photography pricing.

Seasonal Colors for Family Pictures Outside

Clothing colors that look great in the spring and summer months do not usually look best in the fall and winter and vice versa. Wear in-season colors within your chosen color palette. Also, consider how the colors will look against the outdoor background in your pictures. 

• For beach pictures, consider softer shades, light denim blues, and neutrals
• For pictures in the city, consider bright, cooler or deeper shades
• For fall foliage pictures, earthy tones blended with neutrals or muted tones look nice against vibrant rustic backgrounds

Spring & Summer Outfit Color Schemes

All the colors in your crayon box are represented in spring and summer outfit color palettes! Soft pretty pastels, light and airy classic neutrals and juicy, vibrant, punchy summery color shades. There are so many color combinations for your family outfits it is hard to choose. Here are a few classics + some trendy combos for 2021:

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Fall & Winter Outfit Color Schemes

Fall and winter family outfit colors are simply divine! Gorgeous earth tones and autumn berry colors are just some of the possibilities for fall clothing. Winter jewel tones are some of my personal favorites like, amethyst purple, ruby red and sapphire blue. 

Looking for more family clothing color inspiration? Go here to see more examples, family portrait gallery.

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