What to Wear for Edmonton Outdoor Family Photos: A Complete Style Guide

It’s finally summer in Edmonton—time to get my outdoor family photos! But wait… what should moms wear for family photos? You spend hours trying to match outfits, only to give up feeling overwhelmed. “Why does this take so much work? Do I need to buy new clothes for everyone?” If that sounds like you, this blog is here to help.

As a family photographer specializing in Edmonton outdoor family photography, I know how important (and stressful!) wardrobe planning can feel. Here’s your simple guide to choosing outfits that will look timeless and beautiful in your photos.

Mom’s Outfit for Edmonton Family Photoshoot

Mom’s outfit is the most important starting point for family photo session planning. Most moms have too many options, which can make things overwhelming. This is why I provide a client closet for moms who book my family photography sessions. But if you’re planning your outfit for a family session on your own, choose something that feels simple, flattering, and—most importantly—comfortable.

Comfort = Natural, Relaxed Family Photos

Choose clothes that let you sit, lie down, play, or run around with your kids. Because you are doing an outdoor family session, you always want to capture those connections. A comfortable outfit can build your confidence! Avoid short or tight dresses that restrict your movement or make you feel self-conscious. Personally, I avoid shirt dresses because I’m constantly tugging them down whenever I move my arms! If you have your own preferences, consider that when you’re planning.

Great mom outfit ideas for a family photo shoot include:

• A long vacation-style dress
• A flowy skirt and simple top
• A fitted t-shirt with high-rise jeans

Stick to Soft, Simple Colours

If you are thinking of having light and airy family photos just like in my Edmonton family portfolio, go for neutral, soft tones. The best colours to wear for outdoor family photos include:

• White
• Beige
• Soft pink
• Light grey
• Dusty blue

Avoid bright neon colours, busy prints, or harsh contrasts. Check my Edmonton Family Photo Outfit Colour Guide for more colours. Imagine if you were going to study in a room painted in that colour—if it would stress you out, don’t wear it.

Simple Outfit, Not Trendy

Avoid heavily decorated outfits or overly trendy styles. We just have way too many choices in the market; sometimes it can be hard to stay with the basics. When you make your selection or purchases, think about the dress—is it too attention-grabbing? We want everyone in your family to blend together visually, not have one person’s outfit distracting from the rest.

If you’re a person who cannot fall in love with pure colours, pick those with simple patterns. Anything that looks simple and classic can be used in your family photo outfits. However, if your print or pattern looks too distracting, it’s probably not the best choice.

If you’re unsure, go simple. A white t-shirt and jeans can be perfect. Think: no logos, no cartoon characters, and no sparkle-heavy dresses. The simpler, the better for timeless family portraits.

How to Coordinate Family Outfits for Photos

Dress Your Partner Next

Once your outfit is set, styling your partner becomes easier. If you’re going for a natural light outdoor photoshoot, choose light-coloured pants—sand beige, soft blue, or grey are great options. Classic jeans work just fine, but try to avoid them if everyone else in the family decides to wear all white, as the blue can be a very strong colour.

For the top, stick with a plain t-shirt or button-up in a soft tone. Please skip the hoodie—even if the session feels casual, hoodies tend to look bulky and out of place in family portraits.

What About the Kids?

Kids often have tons of clothes already, but the same rules apply:

• No logos, no characters, no prints
• Neutral and soft tones
• Avoid heavy lace or overly embellished outfits

We want your Edmonton family photos to look timeless and elegant, not dated.

Girls:

Hold your dress and your daughter’s next to each other. Do they look balanced? If hers looks too flashy, swap it for a simpler dress. White is always a safe choice. She can match you or wear a tone that complements Dad’s outfit.

When you decide on girls’ outfits, think the same way as when you pick your own clothes.

Boys:

Just like Dad’s outfits, start with the pants—go for light grey, soft blue, beige, or neutral tones. The shirt can be more of a challenge if your son only wears specific colours. If needed, a basic white tee works wonders and photographs beautifully. Or it can be as simple as picking something from the many soft-coloured clothes he already has.

Flat Shoes Are Best for Outdoor Family Photos

If you’re planning an outdoor family session in Edmonton, flat shoes are always my top recommendation. I want you to be able to run, jump, and enjoy your time outdoors comfortably—and a good pair of flat shoes makes that possible.

Don’t worry too much about the color, as shoes usually don’t stand out much in photos. However, I do suggest avoiding black or dark-colored shoes, as well as colourful basketabll shoes and bulky running shoes—they can be distracting in a light and airy photo style. If you’re not sure what to wear, white sneakers are a great safe choice. And if that’s all you have, a pair of white classic canvas Vans will look much better than a pari of white running shoes.

Plan for Edmonton Weather

If you’ve lived in Alberta long enough, you know: Edmonton weather can change in an instant. It might be sunny now, but windy or rainy ten minutes later. Always bring:

• A jacket, so that you guys can stay warm when you are not being photographed
• An umbrella for rainy days
• Layers to keep everyone comfortable

Planning outfits for your Edmonton outdoor family photo session can feel overwhelming. If you want to reduce the stress and have your family photos done professionally, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll plan your session to match your taste, and you’ll love your gallery for years to come. Still unsure? When you book with me, I’ll guide you through every step—including access to my curated client closet.

Let’s create light, natural, and heartfelt memories together—no stress required.