16 Extended Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas For Your Next Session

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Ready to be inspired for some stylish extended family photoshoot outfit ideas that will have your crew looking coordinated and feeling like themselves? Planning outfits for an extended family photo session can seem daunting. With so many different people across generations, ages, and styles, it can be tricky to coordinate a cohesive, flattering look.

The key is choosing a color palette and style that fits your family’s vibe. This article will provide 16 outfit ideas for your next extended family photo to help capture perfect portraits. Whether you’re taking photos at home or working with a family photographer, these tips will have your entire family looking and feeling their best.

16 Timeless Extended Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas

1. Go for a Casual Outdoor Look

For a laidback extended family photo session outdoors, let comfort be the focus over coordination. Have everyone wear their favorite casual outfits like jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and flannels in any color. Focus more on showcasing the beautiful scenery and togetherness of your large family rather than perfectly matched ensembles. Gather on a big picnic blanket or around a tree for carefree photos that capture the essence of your home family.

2. Match with Bright Colored Tops

For big extended family photos, coordinate while still allowing individual personalities to shine through by having all family members wear jeans or khakis paired with bright colored polo shirts or t-shirts. Choose a color palette of complementary shades like red, yellow, green, blue, orange, pink, etc. This foolproof idea works great for any indoor or outdoor family session.

3. Outdoor Flannels and Jeans

Channel rugged, outdoorsy / country photo vibes with classic plaid flannel shirts, jeans, and boots on everyone. This gives a natural, cohesive look perfect for extended family pictures while hiking, at cabins, lakes, etc. Work with cool backdrops like trees, trails, fire pits, etc. Play with poses like walking together down a path for active shots.

4. Soft Complementary Colors

Pick a soothing, complementary color palette such as different shades of blues, grays and pinks. Have everyone wear light sweaters, button-downs, or dresses in these tones for a pulled-together yet understated look. The muted cool color scheme photographs beautifully and gives off a peaceful familial vibe perfect for any home or outdoor session.

5. Fun Hats and Scarves

If braving the cold for an extended family photo, add pops of color and personality with varied winter accessories like knit scarves, beanies, pom pomhats, etc. Keep base layers like jackets and sweaters neutral, and let the hats be the focal point for an easy way to coordinate lots of different styles and ages.

6. Dressy Tops with Jeans

Have the family look sharp in dressier tops like blazers, sweaters, button-downs and turtlenecks paired with classic jeans or khakis. This balances formal and casual perfectly. Guys can wear collared shirts and blazers with dark denim while ladies pair holiday blouses or cashmere sweaters over jeans.

7. Country Club Chic

For family photos with a preppy vibe, use a color palette inspired by Easter eggs in soothing pastel hues like sky blue, dusky pink, mint, buttery yellow, etc. Have ladies wear dresses, cardigans, and pearls while men sport polos, pullovers, and boat shoes for head-to-toe country club chic style.

8. Neutral Tones for Timeless Photos

You can never go wrong dressing the whole extended family in classic neutral colors like black, white, gray, navy, tan, etc. This gives a timeless, cohesive look that will stand the test of time. Allow expressions, scenery, and interactions to be the focus over outfits for nostalgic family portraits.

9. Spring Florals

For an extended family photo session surrounded by spring flowers, dress everyone in complementary pastel hues like soft pinks, blues, and lavenders. Have ladies wear beautiful floral dresses or printed blouses while men sport lighter button-downs or polos. The dreamy palette pairs perfectly with the natural blooms.

10. Black Shirts and Jeans

Keep things simple and chic by wearing classic black shirts – anything from t-shirts to button-downs to sweaters – with blue or black jeans. This no-fuss combo flatters all ages and pulls together all different styles seamlessly. Add pops of color with fun accessories like hats or scarves.

11. Jeans and Pastels for Outdoors

Head outdoors in warm weather with a light pastel color palette. Pair jean jackets, shorts or skirts with airy tops in shades like peach, mint, lilac, sky blue, etc. The soft hues photograph beautifully outside. Incorporate seasonal details like hats for an extra fun touch.

12. Earth Tones for a Warm Look

Go for natural earth tones like creams, caramels, olive greens, browns, tans, etc. to give off a welcoming, organic family vibe. Pair brown or tan pants with creamy knits or white button-downs on adults and jeans with earth-toned tees on kids. Play with autumnal scenery for the backdrops.

13. Casual Family Picnic

Skip the matching outfits and let everyone wear their normal casual clothes in any colors and patterns – think graphic tees, sundresses, jeans, joggers, etc. Bring along picnic supplies like baskets, blankets, balls, kites, etc. for natural posing scenarios during the session. Let personalities shine over pieces.

14. Bright Summer Colors

Incorporate bold brights into your family color palette like ruby reds, sunflower yellows, lime greens, neon oranges, etc. Pair with denim shorts or skirts for the ladies and dark jeans or khakis on the gents. Add playful props like popsicles, beach balls, and sunglasses for a festive shoot.

15. Beachy Looks

Head to the beach, lake, or pool for a summer extended family session featuring airy linen button-downs, swimsuits with sheer coverups, breezy patterned sundresses, floppy sunhats, etc. in light blue, pink, and white. Have everyone embrace the location with their carefree ensembles.

16. Crisp White Button-Downs

A freshly pressed white button-down shirt has a classically chic look on everyone. Pair with dark wash jeans or trousers for the men and skirts or shorts for the ladies. This easy idea makes coordinating a variety of styles effortless while keeping the extended family’s look cohesive and elegant.

Conclusion

With so many personalities and styles, coordinating outfits for extended family photos may seem tricky. Hopefully, these 16 outfit ideas inspire to bring everyone together for images you’ll cherish forever. The key is choosing colors, patterns, and styles that complement your family’s vibe, whether that’s casual, formal, whimsical, or natural. Focus on what makes your family special and let the outfits enhance those bonds and passions. Most importantly, relax and have fun! The photos will beautifully capture the love you share.

Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Family Photos

Planning an extended family photo shoot? Here are answers to some common questions to help you prepare:

How do you coordinate extended family photo outfits?

• Choose a cohesive color scheme or style that suits your family’s aesthetic – this could be matching colors, complementary hues, or a casual/formal look
• Allow some individuality in patterns or accessories while keeping base pieces coordinated
• Focus on flattering fits and fabrics that photograph well and feel comfortable
• Having an outfit planning session can help get everyone on the same page

How should I dress for a large family photo?

• Opt for simple, versatile pieces that suit multiple body types and ages like button-downs, sundresses, khakis, etc.
• Add visual interest through accessories like scarves, neckties, hats, statement jewelry
• Stick to classic fabrics and silhouettes that won’t go out of style
• Build outfits around 1-3 core neutral colors to anchor mismatched pieces
• Most importantly, dress so you feel like your best self!

How do you pose for extended family photos?

• Opt for inclusive configurations like “V” shapes, overlapping rows, or “U” shapes so everyone is close
• Balance space between individuals and clusters with empty areas to prevent clutter
• Pose in ways that connect family members – hands on shoulders, leaning together, arms around waists
• Take both formal upright shots and more casual candids like walking together or sitting on the ground
• Maximize your setting, whether indoors or outdoors – let the location enhance your poses
• Do “safety shots” of the full group and then smaller family units for coverage