So let’s face the facts, the most difficult part of family photos is not getting your family to smile for the camera. It’s getting everyone dressed in a way that actually looks good together. One kid wants to wear a superhero shirt, dad grabs the first polo he sees, and somehow, nothing matches.
The good news? Not everybody has to wear the same clothes. All you need is a Plan. The images below illustrate how real families managed to achieve it this summer — whether it be a casual pair of blues or denim, a polished white, a floral print, or a few playful splashes of color.
We’ve kept things classic and wearable on purpose. No loud trends here that’ll make you wince in five years — just timeless looks you’ll be happy to hang on the wall.
Want ideas for other seasons too? Don’t miss our Spring Family Photo Outfits and Fall Family Photo Outfits guides.
What should everyone wear for summer family photos?
Before we get to the looks, here are a few easy rules that make outfit planning so much simpler:
- Start with one outfit and build around it. Usually it’s mom’s dress. Pick 2–3 colors from it and dress everyone else in those shades.
- Keep the palette small. Two or three colors plus a neutral (white, cream, tan) is plenty.
- Pick light, comfy fabrics. Linen, cotton, gauze, and denim look great and feel great in the heat.
- Match your colors to the spot. Earthy tones suit fields and forests. Blues and whites pop near water and gardens.
- Skip big logos and neon. Add interest with texture instead — eyelet, ruffles, gingham.
- Keep accessories simple. A dainty necklace, a hair bow, or a fun pair of boots is all you need.
Pro tip: spread all the clothes out on a bed before the session. If one piece is in the bed and looks like too much, it’ll look like too much in your photos as well.
To keep things easy to skim, we’ve grouped all 28 looks into six color stories: shades of blue, denim, earth tones, crisp whites, summer florals, and pops of color.
Shades of Blue
The easiest color to shoot for summer photos is blue. It looks fresh against green grass and water. It photographs beautifully, and there’s a shade that flatters just about everyone. Here are eight ways to wear it, from soft and dreamy to bold and bright.
1. Teal & soft denim
We really enjoy this one’s easy nature. Mom’s teal maxi dress is perfect to set the tone, and Dad sticks with the casual look with a white tee and soft blue shorts. Baby’s little floral romper ties right in. It’s relaxed, barefoot-in-the-grass energy — perfect if you want photos that feel like a normal, happy day.
2. Powder blue & White
A soft color, in this case powder blue, always seems under control and relaxed. For those favoring a simple, gentle look, this is for you.
3. Powder blue + a little floral
It’s that classic, southern, sweet look, just right. The kids are in soft blue shorts and polo shirts, Dad is in powder blue, and the mom is in a blue floral dress, which ties the whole ensemble together. When one person wears the print and everyone else stays solid, it just works.
4. Chambray, pastels & a denim jacket
Here’s proof you can mix a few blues and still look coordinated. A chambray jacket, soft blue dresses, khaki pants and one little floral dress all get along. The denim jacket with a light-colored dress is a simple and effortless outfit, perfect for families with older children.
5. Blue with a grown-up twist
Got teens? This look is for you. A navy polo, a blue button-down, a white top, and a soft sage dress feel current without trying too hard. Pair everything with shorts and clean white sneakers for an easy summer feel that older kids will actually agree to wear.
6. Blue linen & matching floral dresses
This style is simple, romantic and not too complicated. The adults are dressed in pretty blue linen shirts and cream and white pants, and the girls are all dressed in pretty blue floral dresses. Walking through a wildflowers field, everything falls into place in the best of ways.
7. Layered shades of blue
FIVE blues and no conflicting hues. The color of dad’s deep teal stays in the same cool family as mom’s cornflower dress, the girls’ dusty blue dresses and baby’s pale blue, and so the look feels rich, not busy. Warm cognac sandals prevent it from being too cool-toned.
8. Cobalt & royal blue
Want to go bold? This is your sign. Bright cobalt and royal blue, with some navy and a small blue floral thrown in, show that sticking to one dominant color conveys a strong — but not overpowering — sense of confidence. When the whole family commits to a single shade, it reads as totally intentional.
Denim & Chambray
Denim might be the most underrated choice for family photos. It’s not complicated, it’s comfortable, and everyone will look lovely, it can’t be a failure.
9. Denim mix for a full house
Big family? No problem. Every wash of denim is on this crew – mom’s denim vest, dad’s dark jeans, chambray on the kids, light wash shorts, and even cowboy boots. The white skirt, white tee, and white boots help to break up all the blue, to make it look layered, not like a uniform.
Pro tip: When you have a large family, denim is your best friend. Just be sure to add in a couple of white or cream pieces so the group doesn’t turn into one big blue blob.
10. Coordinated denim for a big crew
Another excellent example of a large family. All the Chambray and soft periwinkle colors are in the same color family and the denim vest lets everyone’s eyes rest.
11. Easy denim in the woods
This one feels effortless. Mom’s denim shirt-dress, dad’s printed navy shirt, and the kids in olive and soft stripes look relaxed and real. It’s the kind of outfit you’d actually wear on a normal weekend — which is exactly why it photographs so naturally.
12. Denim by the water
For a session near the water, you can’t beat denim and white. Mom’s darker denim dress, dad’s white tee, and the girls’ light blue sets feel crisp and a little nautical — without leaning into a costume-y beach theme. Clean and classic.
13. Soft, vintage-wash denim
If you love a soft, dreamy photo, this is the denim version of it. A light chambray shirt, a denim pinafore, and pale stripes pair with a faded, moody edit for a gentle, almost vintage feel. Proof that denim can be cozy and romantic, not just casual.
Warm Earth Tones
Rust, terracotta, sage, and cream were practically made for summer. These warm, earthy shades blend right into fields, forests, and gardens for a look that feels grounded and timeless.
14. Rust & sage
Here’s a clever trick: pair a warm color with a cool one. Mom’s rust dress and the boys’ sage-green sets balance each other out, while dad’s navy grounds the whole thing. That mix of warm and cool keeps an all-neutral look from feeling flat.
15. Terracotta in the garden
This look is cozy in the best way. Mom’s terracotta dress, dad’s charcoal and khaki, and the kids’ soft neutral tones feel warm and lived-in — perfect for a relaxed backyard or garden session as summer winds down.
16. Soft earth tones (and a sweet surprise)
Cream lace on mom, a butter-yellow tee and jeans on dad, and the girls in sage, peach, and white — it’s gentle, warm, and so pretty.
Pro tip: Family photos are a lovely time to share big news — a new baby, an engagement, a move. A small prop like a sonogram or a little sign makes the moment feel special without taking over the photo.
Crisp Whites & Soft Neutrals
You really can’t go wrong with white. It’s clean, it’s timeless, and it absolutely glows in the summer sun.
17. All white, all together
When everyone wears the same color, mixing up the fabrics keeps it interesting. This family’s linen shirts, flowy skirt, and baby’s little set are all ivory and cream — but the different textures stop it from looking like a uniform. So fresh and elegant.
18. Head-to-toe white with teens
All-white looks especially grown-up and polished on older kids and teens. Linen button-downs, an eyelet dress, and a clean white mini come together beautifully, while the khaki and grey shorts on the guys keep things from feeling too matchy.
19. White with dark tones
Two white dresses anchor this group, while the guys add a little depth in navy and forest-green polos with khaki and light denim. It’s a smart middle ground if you love neutrals but want just a touch of color in the mix.
20. White with a pop of sky blue
Sometimes one fun piece makes the whole look. Here, mom’s pale blue cowboy boots steal the show under a white lace dress, while dad’s blue gingham shirt ties in the color. Playful, summery, and full of personality.
Summer Florals
A floral piece is the fastest way to make a look feel like summer. The trick is simple: let one person wear the print and keep everyone else in solids so the flowers get to shine.
21. Sunny floral print
Mom’s buttery yellow floral dress is the star here, and it’s a good one. Dad keeps it simple in white linen and the kids stay soft in white and a tiny print. Against a warm summer field, the whole look feels like sunshine.
22. Florals & a fedora
We love a look that moves. Mom’s flowy floral dress and straw hat, dad’s white shirt and navy shorts, and the boys running through the grass make for the kind of candid, joyful photo you’ll treasure. A hat is such an easy way to add a little something extra.
Pro tip: Don’t just stand there! Walk, twirl, lift the baby up, or chase the kids around. Movement gives you those natural, laughing shots that always end up being everyone’s favorites.
23. Blue florals & solids
Here’s how florals can live inside a blue color story. Dad’s blue floral shirt, mom’s soft blue dress, and the kids in matching blue and prints feel coordinated and bright. A nice reminder that “floral” and “blue” can absolutely be the same look.
Fun Pops of Color
Ready for a little drama? You don’t need everyone in bright colors. Just keep most of the family in neutrals and let one or two pieces bring the fun.
24. A pop of red (hello, cowboy boots!)
White tees and denim keep this look grounded, but those red cowboy boots and the gingham skirt? Total showstoppers. It’s the perfect example of letting one bold piece do all the talking while everything else stays simple.
25. Coral & red florals
If true red feels like a lot, warm coral is a softer way in. Mom’s rust-red floral set and the older girl’s coral romper pop against the green field, while baby’s denim and dad’s white and pale blue keep everything calm and balanced.
26. Cheerful yellow
Yellow is such a happy summer color, and this family wears it so well. Soft buttery tops with white bottoms keep things sunny but still gentle. If you want color that doesn’t feel too bright or bold, this is a lovely place to start.
27. Bold jewel tones
This is the dressed-up look of the bunch. Mom’s royal blue, the daughter’s blush pink, and the boys’ blues feel rich and a little fancy. Save this one for a special occasion — it would look right at home at a summer event or celebration.
28. Matching red gingham
Last but not least, a fun matching moment. Mom and the kids in red-and-white gingham is sweet, playful, and full of that picnic-in-summer feeling. Perfect for a laid-back session or a Fourth of July photo.
