21 Easy Family Photo Outfit Ideas When You Have a Toddler

Taking family photos while including young kids is unique in many ways. It can be described as a combination of kidnap negotiation and snack distribution. With some unfortunate experiences including one with some linen pants, I learned that some outfits look their best when they are not expensive.

The best outfits are also the ones that allow you to crouch, kneel, pick up children, run, and (yes, this is a real thing that you will have to do) bribe. It is about color, texture, and movement, not matching outfits like a mini board of directors.

You will discover clothing solutions for actual scenarios like muddy parks, cold mornings, fidgety laps, breezy beaches, and the husband shirt phenomenon which seems so easy until you do laundry with twelve identical blue shirts.

When picking outfits for your family picture, think about what your surroundings will be like. Depending on the location, different clothes may be best. For soft sand and calm ocean waves, pick light clothing that flows with the wind and choose colors that are soft blue and beige.

If your location is in the woods, some fun textures will help you stand out against the environment; pick deep greens and browns. You don’t want to blend into the background, so putting thought into the backdrop is a great idea.

1. Forest Green Wrap Dress with Rust and Chambray

You can adjust this wrap dress so that it is easy to pick kids up every 4 minutes. This is also great for fall park photos or any park photos where the leaves and benches are and the photographer is telling you to walk “naturally” (which is a little weird).

You can pair this dress with rust corduroy bottoms for your little one, and do a chambray top for your partner so they are color matched without looking like they belong in a costume department.

You can add accessories to your outfits to make them better. You can use hats and thin scarves that do not cover much. Hats are also nice to have for pictures when the sun is out. Scarves that go with your outfit can make a simple outfit look more fancy. Make sure the accessories are good for little kids because they can get lost and kids might not like wearing them.

Choosing good accessories is a big part of planning family photos. They can definitely make even basic outfits a lot better and more interesting.

For example, a big necklace or flashy earrings can help focus the photos more on your face. Also, matching hats or headbands can really add to the fun and show off your family’s style. Make sure to find accessories that go well with your outfits and are sensible, especially for the kids. Choose things that are easy to wear and won’t be a distraction during the photos.

2. Navy Sweater Dress with Gray and Oatmeal Layers

With the navy sweater dress, we won’t have to worry about the anxiety of wearing a woven dress that has cut outs and structured parts that cause problems if we need to sit on stairs or on the ground.

This dress is ideal for situations where it’s chilly outdoors and you have to take pictures on the front porch, or for holiday cards where you don’t want to appear as though you “fought in the car.” Adding gray and oatmeal knits with this dress along with some suede ankle boots will keep the entire look soft and will still cover the usual toddler dust clouds.

It is important that all outfit pieces selected be comfy for both adults and kids. It is also just important that everyone is confident in their outfit as discomfort will be visible in the photos. This will be true for kids even more because they may get more irritated than others if they are dressed in uncomfortable, itchy, or restrictive clothes.

Additionally, it is important for adults to choose clothes that are the right size and will provide flexibility during the shoot. The more comfy everyone is, the more laid back they will be, and the more authentic and happy the photos will be.

When family members coordinate their outfits, it gives the photo a unified look. Something that enhances the overall composition of the photo, is the family members coordinating their looks so that there are some similarities to make it feel cohesive but not the same.

An example of a good palette to coordinate is blues and earth tones. Having the same outfit is bad because it gives everyone a boring uniform look. A better style is to have a mix of different outfits with some different materials and patterns, and them all being in the same coordinated colors. It adds to the family look of the photo and allows individual looks to shine.

3. Terracotta Maxi Skirt with Denim and Olive

With the terracotta skirt, you can wear it during the summer for an outdoor photoshoot, and you won’t have to worry about being mistaken for a pumpkin. A denim jacket and olive knit overalls will complete the earthy look.

A pair of flat sandals will also work great, as the little ones won’t care about the condition of the ground or the hem of your outfit. This skirt will be great for your meadow photos, and even in early autumn when the grass is still green.

4. Plum Blouse with Charcoal Trousers and Sage Accents

A plum colored top adds some richness to the outfit without being as strong a color as a bright red top. Plus it is great for city garden photos and a few by the museum’s stone, brick, and iron gates. The charcoal trousers keep you grounded and sage on your little one softens the palette so the whole outfit doesn’t end up being too much like a corporate headshot with snacks.

5. Mustard Cardigan with Indigo Denim and Berry Knit

The mustard cardigan is a warm and nice looking piece. It is warm like sunshine that pays the bills. It is awesome and great for the pictures at the orchard and pumpkin patches.

It is awesome for backyard casuals where people want to stay warm but don’t want to be overdressed. Pair indigo denim and berry knits for a cozy warm outfit. Add clogs or ankle boots to the look that will be good for running and chasing in the wet grass.

6. Dusty Rose Midi Dress with Gray and Cocoa

Dusty rose helps maintain a soft and gentle look on camera. It also won’t wash the whole family out, like a cupcake gone wrong. It’s good for indoor lifestyle photos, nursery corner pics, or bed-and-storybook sessions (where shoes might even be excluded)..

Dusty rose will go nicely with soft gray and cocoa corduroy to make the color palette warm and lived in. Choose a midi length that you can sit cross-legged in, so you don’t have to compromise.

7. Teal Jumpsuit with Camel and Stripes

Wearing all neutral colors every week can be boring. Try breaking things up with a fun jumpsuit. You can wear it with a camel chore jacket along with a striped knit to break up the solid colors. Sneakers will also be great to keep the look practical because footwear is not a style crime.

8. Burgundy Wrap Dress with Navy and Mustard

Burgundy goes well with brick, greenery, and the evening light. Those settings have a lot of texture, and the dress fits well there. The wrap dress will easily solve the ‘I need shape and also need oxygen’ conundrum. For something polished, but not too matching and like they all received a memo, add a navy button down with mustard accents.

9. Olive Utility Dress with Marigold Knitwear

For a practical and relaxed look, the olive utility dress is a fantastic choice. Its pockets are usable. For farm trails, forest paths and anywhere you are sure to retire your clean shoes, this dress is ideal. A dark denim and marigold sweater combo is cozy enough for a gravel run or a hayride, and if there is a sudden no-carry decision, your tan lace-up boots will do the trick.

10. Cobalt Blouse with Chocolate Corduroy

Cobalt photographs beautifully. In places like downtown with all the buildings and glass, they look even better. If you want to stand out and don’t want your outfit to match the entire family (which can look like an art explosion), it’s a good pick. The chocolate corduroy tones it down a bit, and red canvas sneakers add a fun touch that matches the toddler vibes.

11. Tomato Red Pullover with Ecru-Free Neutrals

I like how it looks. It contrasts nicely with an all-wood, tile, and glowing-pastry-case background. I too would go with charcoal. Cream makes it look… well, washed out, and I don’t want that in my wardrobe. The denim overalls and black lace up boots complete the look with a casual and sturdy touch, just right for some muffin bribe photo snaps.

12. Ink Blue Blazer with Copper Skirt

An ink blue blazer will keep your family photos looking nice and polished but not too formal. Match it with your copper midi skirt for some extra warmth and flow. This will be great for hotel lobbies and winter photo sessions when everyone has to take off their coats for a normal pose.

A striped knit top and burgundy loafers will be a great touch of personality and the blazer will give you pockets to hold stuff, shape to the outfit, and something to hold when the little one starts exploring their echoes.

13. Lavender Sweater with Dark Wash Denim

Lavender adds softness and won’t completely blend in. This is perfect for indoor photos where everything can start to look beige if you blink. It is lovely for living room sessions, couch snuggles, or peaceful morning photos with blankets, books, and fidget toys. Dark wash denim elevates the entire look, and a tan quilted vest adds some texture without overshadowing the other pieces.

14. Burnt Orange Shirt Dress with Black Denim

The burnt orange shirt dress has just the right amount of structure to be styled (and survive toddler negotiations) making it the easy choice for playful street murals and market districts or anywhere that needs a warm anchor. The brightness of the shirt dress is offset by black denim and the blue knit pullover, while the leopard flats add just the right amount of pattern to the photos.

15. Pine Plaid Overshirt with Cranberry Dress

The pine plaid overshirt will be great for the tree farm photos. It’s neutral and keeps it looking nice. The cranberry corduroy dress will add a nice touch and pop of color to the photos without the family looking like Christmas gifts. Dark jeans and tan fleece-lined boots is a good option that will keep you comfy and allow you to step over needles, mud, and whatever gross thing a kid just picked up.

16. Sky Blue Oxford with Brown Cardigan

It’s super nice that the brown cardigan gives a nice casual vibe to the outfit. This will also work for the library or the bookstore, and for indoor lifestyle photos if your “sweet family afternoon” look is better than the “annual report” look.

The navy sneakers are also a good touch to your khaki twill pants for a nice and easy color combo, and with the layered look, you will be ready if the temperature drops like an old refrigerator.

17. Chocolate Satin Skirt with Moss Green Knit

When you want to dress a little more casually the chocolate satin skirt gives some sparkle. I can see it being used in more earthy places like greenhouses and gardens, as the fabric of the skirt will probably shine along with the plants.

I think a moss knit and a denim jacket would be great for adding a bit more structure for your top. I suggest ankle boots for the bottom half as they are great for any uneven muddy paths.

18. Fuchsia Knit with Navy Wide-Leg Pants

Fuchsia means families want to add color intentionally and not like a laundry day mix-up. It looks great during studio sessions or in simple indoor backdrops where one strong color does most of the work. When paired with wide-leg navy pants, fuchsia looks smart. Gray mellows the supporting pieces, and silver sneakers add a bit of fun without taking over the whole look.

19. Goldenrod Dress with Forest Quilted Vest

The goldenrod dress will lighten up pictures, even if the weather is being rude. Late fall and early winter will be the best time to wear this. If the photographer’s ‘short walk’ turns into a small migration, hiking boots will be a good choice.

When layered with a dark denim jacket and a forest quilted vest, this will keep you warm. This will be good for late fall mini sessions, and should work for woodsy trail sessions.

20. Ruby Cardigan with Washed Black Denim

While clothes for the holidays can be fun to wear, they can get a little messy and you might also have to do some cleaning or sequin removal after wearing. For this reason, a ruby cardigan would be suitable for this occasion. It works for baking photos in the kitchen too, and can even go with the informal holiday cards that might end up covered in flour as part of the festive baking scene.

To achieve a casual look, the ruby cardigan can be worn with some faded black jeans, and to finish off the outfit without making it look too put together like it came from a department store in December, an olive cotton tee can be added.

21. Sage Midi Dress with Denim Shirt

Sage is a light earthy color and has a hue that can hold its own outdoors. Great choice for meadow photos, spring sessions and any floral setting where you don’t want to compete with the scenery like a parade float. A denim shirt and burgundy suspenders with desert boots will keep the family grounded and not too sweet.