Why You Shouldn’t Choose Matching Outfits for Your Family Portrait Session

It’s one of the most common questions I get before a family portrait session:
“Should we all wear matching outfits?”

My answer? Probably not.

While it might sound like a safe choice, matching outfits can actually take away from the beauty and personality of your photos. Here’s why skipping the matchy-matchy look might be the best decision for your next session:

Matching Can Look Dated

We’ve all seen the classic white-shirts-and-khakis-on-the-beach photo. It had its moment, but today’s portrait style leans toward natural, timeless, and a little more elevated. Wearing identical outfits can make your photos feel stiff or like they came from a department store catalog.

Your Personalities Get Lost

Your family is full of unique personalities – why hide them? Coordinating instead of matching allows each person to express themselves while still looking like a cohesive group. This makes your photos feel more authentic and meaningful.

It Can Be Distracting

When everyone is wearing the exact same thing, the focus shifts to the clothes rather than the connections between family members. Choosing complementary outfits lets the relationships shine and keeps the attention where it belongs – on your smiles and interactions.

Color Variety Adds Visual Interest

A mix of colors, textures, and patterns creates depth and dimension in your photos. This is especially important if your session is outdoors or in a space with natural elements – the variety helps your family stand out beautifully against the background.

Coordinating Looks More Natural

Instead of matching, think about coordinating. Choose a color palette of two to three main colors and sprinkle them across everyone’s outfits. This approach ties everyone together without making you look like a uniformed team.

Keep It Comfortable

Whatever you choose, make sure everyone feels good in what they’re wearing. If someone feels awkward or restricted, it will show in the photos.

Skip the identical outfits and aim for harmony, not uniformity. Coordinated colors, textures, and styles will make your family portraits look modern, polished, and most importantly – uniquely yours.