What to Wear for Family Photos in Perth: Outfit Ideas for Every Season
Choosing what everyone should wear for a family photoshoot can sometimes feel harder than booking the photoshoot itself.
You want everyone to look good together, but you also don't want your family to look like they're wearing matching uniforms. And when you're taking photographs outdoors in Perth, the location, weather and time of day can all make a difference to what works.
The good news is that you don't need complicated outfits or a professional stylist. A little coordination, comfortable clothing and a colour palette that works together can make a big difference.
Here are some simple ideas to help you decide what to wear for family photos in Perth.
Start With a Colour Palette, Not Matching Outfits
One of the easiest mistakes families make is trying to make everyone wear exactly the same colour.
Matching isn't necessary.
Instead, choose two or three main colours and build everyone's outfits around them. This gives the photographs a coordinated look while still allowing each person to wear something that feels like them.
For example, you could try:
Neutral:
Cream, beige, white and tan
Earthy:
Olive, rust, brown and cream
Soft:
Pastel blue, blush, ivory and beige
Classic:
Navy, white, grey and neutral tones
Think of the colours as belonging to the same family rather than needing to be identical.
If one person is wearing a patterned dress, for example, you can take one or two colours from that pattern and use them in the rest of the family's clothing.
Choose Clothes That Feel Like You
Your family photographs should still look like your family.
If you normally wear relaxed, casual clothes, there's no need to dress everyone in formal outfits just because you're having professional photographs taken.
Likewise, if your family enjoys dressing up, there's nothing wrong with creating a more polished look.
The important thing is that everyone feels comfortable.
When people are uncomfortable in their clothes, it tends to show in photographs. Children become restless, adults become more conscious of how they're sitting or standing, and everyone spends more time thinking about their clothes than enjoying the session.
Choose something you'd be happy wearing for a few hours.
Think About the Perth Location
Where you're having your family photoshoot can influence what you wear.
Boparai Studio offers outdoor family photoshoots across Perth, with locations including Kings Park, Hyde Park, Trigg Beach, Matilda Bay, UWA, Fremantle and South Perth.
A beach session might call for lighter, relaxed clothing, while a garden or park location could work beautifully with earthy or natural colours.
For example:
Beach:
White, cream, light blue, beige and soft neutrals
Park or garden:
Earthy greens, beige, brown, rust and warm neutrals
Urban location:
Denim, black, white, grey and more structured outfits
At home:
Comfortable clothing that reflects your family's everyday style
The idea is to complement the surroundings without blending completely into them.
What to Wear for Family Photos in Summer
Perth summers can be hot, particularly when you're spending time outdoors.
Lightweight fabrics such as cotton and linen can work well because they're comfortable and tend to move naturally.
For summer family photos, consider:
- Light and breathable fabrics
- Neutral or softer colours
- Comfortable dresses or shirts
- Linen trousers or shorts
- Light layers for cooler evenings
- Comfortable footwear
If you're photographing young children, prioritise comfort even more. There's little point choosing the perfect outfit if your child is too hot and uncomfortable to enjoy the session.
It's also worth considering the time of day. Boparai's existing guidance notes that golden-hour light can be beautiful, but the best time for families with young children is also a time when they are generally rested and happy.
What to Wear for Family Photos in Winter
Winter gives you more opportunities to layer your outfits.
Think about:
- Knitwear
- Jackets
- Cardigans
- Scarves
- Boots
- Long trousers
- Earthy and deeper tones
Layers can also add texture to photographs. A simple combination of a shirt, jumper and jacket can create more visual interest than several pieces that are all the same texture.
You don't need everyone wearing the same type of jacket. Just make sure the colours work together.
And remember, Perth winter weather can change. If you're planning an outdoor session, check the forecast and speak with your photographer if conditions look uncertain.
What to Wear for Spring Family Photos
Spring is a great opportunity to introduce softer colours and lighter fabrics.
Pastels, creams, sage green, light blue, dusty pink and other muted shades can work beautifully against gardens and greenery.
You could also introduce subtle floral patterns, but try not to have several people wearing different bold patterns at the same time.
One patterned outfit can work well when the rest of the family wears simpler pieces that pick up colours from it.
What to Wear for Autumn Family Photos
Autumn photographs can work particularly well with warmer colours.
Think:
- Rust
- Mustard
- Olive
- Brown
- Cream
- Burgundy
- Beige
You don't have to dress everyone in autumn colours. One or two warmer tones combined with neutrals can create a much more natural result.
Textures such as knitwear, denim and light jackets can also add depth without making the outfits feel overly styled.
Don't Forget About the Kids
Children don't always care about looking coordinated and that's completely fine.
When choosing their outfits, look for clothes that allow them to move, run and play comfortably.
Avoid anything that is:
- Too tight
- Too itchy
- Difficult to move in
- Likely to need constant adjustment
- Completely unfamiliar to them
If your family photoshoot is outdoors, children may be walking on grass, sand or uneven ground, so comfortable shoes can make the session much easier.
And don't worry if your child doesn't sit still or look at the camera every time. Some of the best family photographs happen when children are simply being themselves. Boparai's own approach to outdoor family photography emphasises movement, interaction and natural moments alongside traditional portraits.
Should Everyone Wear the Same Colour?
Not necessarily.
In fact, having everyone in exactly the same colour can sometimes make the photographs look overly coordinated.
Instead, try to create a visual connection between the outfits.
For example:
Mum: Cream dress
Dad: Beige trousers and white shirt
Child: Soft blue dress
Child: Navy shirt and beige shorts
The colours don't match exactly, but they still work together.
This gives the photograph some variety while keeping the overall look cohesive.
What Colours Should You Avoid?
There aren't really any strict rules, but some choices can be distracting.
Very bright fluorescent colours, large logos and extremely busy patterns can draw attention away from the people in the photograph.
You may also want to avoid having everyone wear very similar shades of skin-toned beige or white if the location has a similarly pale background.
The goal isn't to avoid colour altogether. It's simply to make sure your clothing supports the photograph rather than becoming the main focus.
Don't Forget Shoes and Accessories
Shoes are easy to overlook when planning family outfits, particularly for outdoor photographs.
Choose footwear that suits the location and allows everyone to move comfortably.
For a beach session, formal shoes may not be practical. For a park session, shoes that can handle grass and uneven ground will make things easier.
Accessories can also add personality. Hats, simple jewellery, watches or a favourite scarf can work well, as long as they don't overwhelm the overall look.
For younger children, you might also bring a favourite small item if it helps them feel comfortable. It doesn't necessarily need to appear in every photograph.
Bring a Backup Outfit for Young Children
If you're photographing young children, it's worth packing a spare outfit.
Spills, grass stains, food and unexpected little accidents are all part of family life.
A backup outfit doesn't need to be completely different. Something simple in the same colour palette is enough.
It can also be useful if the weather changes or your child becomes uncomfortable in their first outfit.
What About Hair and Makeup?
You don't need to completely change your usual look for a family photoshoot.
If you wear makeup, keep it at a level you're comfortable with. The same applies to hair.
The aim is to look like yourself just a version you're happy to see in photographs.
For children, there's usually no need to worry about making them look overly polished. A little messy hair or a grass stain isn't going to ruin the photographs. Sometimes those details are part of what makes the images feel real.
The Most Important Thing: Feel Comfortable
It's easy to get caught up in finding the “perfect” family photo outfit.
But your family photographs aren't really about the clothes.
They're about the people wearing them.
Choose outfits that allow you to move, sit, walk, hug and play together without constantly worrying about how you look.
A relaxed family will always photograph better than a perfectly styled family that isn't comfortable.
Final Thoughts
When you're planning what to wear for family photos, don't overthink it.
Choose a simple colour palette, coordinate rather than match, dress for the location and season, and make sure everyone especially the children feels comfortable.
The goal isn't to create a perfectly styled photograph. It's to create photographs that still feel like your family when you look back at them years from now.
Whether you're planning a relaxed outdoor session at Kings Park, a beach photoshoot at Trigg, or a family session somewhere that has special meaning to you, the right clothing can help your photographs feel cohesive without taking away from the people in them.
Planning a family photoshoot in Perth? Boparai Studio offers relaxed family photography sessions designed to capture both beautiful portraits and the natural moments in between.
