What to wear for summer family photos: the ultimate guide from a Charlottesville Photographer
Summer family photos come with so many natural perks, and wardrobe is one of them! As a Charlottesville photographer for the last 12 years, I’ve picked up some recommendations for outfits that will lend themselves to fitting the summer vibe and photograph beautifully, without feeling overly styled.
Maybe choosing outfits for a summer session feels daunting – the sweat, the bugs, the tank tops – but I promise there are so many more options for effortless style than in seasons like fall and winter.
Colder seasons require more layers, more… shoes.
But summer?! Think easy breezy, light and free!
Here’s a few tips for pulling together outfits with minimal stress so your photos feel like you.
Why Summer Family Photos Require Special Styling Considerations
Virginia heat and humidity
It’s no joke. The humidity around here is legit, and if you don’t acknowledge that, you’ll be a drippy, miserable mess. Still beautiful – but uncomfortable. And we don’t want that!
Color palette (especially for outdoor sessions).
With the intense greenery in full bloom throughout summer in outdoor locations, we want to pay special attention to choosing colors that will pop vs clash or blend in among these environments. You don’t have to all match or only wear white – but the colors you select can have a big impact in the ones and feel of the session, so we want to pay attention to them!
Comfort for playfulness
In a summer session, kids are naturally more inclined to want to get down, fun around, and PLAY! I notice that in winter sessions, we get lots more cuddling and snuggling, so we pay attention to things like possible color casting with colors up next to each other. But in SUMMER – I recommend prioritizing comfort and movability more than anything. This 100 degree Virginia heat is not the time for button-up shirts and stiff dresses.
The Foundation: Start with These Summer-Friendly Fabrics
You probably already have clothing in these fabrics that make up your regular summer wardrobe, but make sure to choose pieces with breathable materials, like linen, cotton, modal. Not only will they keep you cooler as we move around, the natural texture lends itself beautifully to depth in photographs.
As a Charlottesville photographer who has worked with families for almost 20 years, I can confidently say that material matters deeply in the summer. Avoid fabrics like heavy denim and synthetic materials that trap heat. Dear goodness, don’t even think about tall socks and dress shoes.
Color Palettes That Pop in Summer
Cool Tones (Blues, Whites, Soft Grays)
- Works great for Charlottesville’s outdoor locations and compliments the greenery and florals you’ll find in some favorite spots.
Vibrant Summer Retro (Primary colors and bright pops)
- Works great for more open locations with less greenery, bright sun, and urban settings
- I love a good pop of primary color in the summer, especially when balanced with more neutrals from others in the group
Garden Fresh (Sage Green, Dusty Rose, Ivory)
- Ideal for botanical garden or park sessions
- Great indoors for home sessions as well
Avoid:
- Wearing black, especially for outdoor sessions, which will trap the light and clash against summery landscape
- Deep, jewel tones and rich tones like burgundy or mustard yellow. These are better for all and tend to feel confusing and out of place against the summer landscape.
Styling by Family Member for Summer Photos
Women: (mom always picks first because it’s usually the hardest outfit to nail down!)
- Flowy maxi dresses or midi skirts with a linen top or simple cotton t-shirt
- Denim shorts and a breezy blouse
- Comfortable sandals or barefoot! (always barefoot)
- Minimal accessories to keep if from feeling to heavy or overdone “for the photos”
Men:
- Linen button-downs with rolled sleeves or a solid henley t-shirt
- Chino shorts or lightweight pants
- Canvas shoes or boat shoes (or of course, barefoot!)
Little Ones :
- Rompers and play dresses
- Linen shorts with solid or textured tees (no large graphics or logos)
- Comfortable shoes for running around (or, you guessed it -barefoot!)
- Weather we’re playing with water or not in your shoot – swimsuits and/or a bare chest and diaper are always okay, especially if you’re wanting a truly natural, homey vibe and more candid feel
Older kids and teenagers
- Involve them in choosing and allow them to lean into their personal style (this is part of why you want photos, right?!)
- Take a comfort-first approach with similar considerations for women and men
Location-Specific Recommendations for some favorite spots from a Charlottesville Photographer
I have lots of favorite locations in the area to work with families as a Charlottesville photographer, and each requires a different approach to style in order to feel like a good fit. Here’s a few examples of how I would recommend you think of your clothing choices based on the vibe of our location:
Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall:
If we’re photographing on the downtown mall or the Corner, it’s likely we’ll rope in an ice cream pitstop or utilize the brick, stone, and colorful accents that make these locations so vibrant. I recommend aiming for casual clothing that compliments that vibe, vs the more flowy or neutral options that work well otherwise.
University of Virginia grounds:
UVA is a gorgeous place to shoot that screams classic and timeless. Aim for outfits that are simple and light to compliment this vibe. While some “preppy” looks might suggest bright pinks and Lily-Pulitzer-type patterns, I recommend staying away from these for your shoot because they tend to come off as too formal and busy-looking. Cool tones and naturals tend to work best in this location.
Read More: Check out this summer session of a family at the University Of Virginia
Local parks and gardens:
Aim for natural, flowing fabrics for something slightly more put together or go totally unravelled with looks that nod to adventure, playfullness, and full childhood vibrance. If we’re playing on a playground or running through the fields, it’s best to lean into the type of clothing that feels most like you in these natural family environments.
At home
How else can I say this? Keep 👏🏼 it 👏🏼 casual.
If you’re looking for natural, connective family images at home (which, I assume, is one reason why you’re considering me as your photographer!) there’s nothing that throws off the vibe more than someone dressed in slacks and dress shoes (cough, dad).
Remember the goals of your shoot and dress accordingly! It is OKAY to embrace your personal style.
The RECAP
Styling is pointless if it doesn’t feel like you. Photo sessions with me emphasize the importance of staying true to your actual wardrobe and the way you actually dress. I’m the Charlottesville Photographer who will cheer if I show up and your little boy has overalls with no shirt underneath and not a single person has shoes on.
Remember to keep comfort and movement top of mind when choosing outfits for the summer!
If you’re interested in booking a summer session, you can do so easily online through the link below or reach out to chat about any questions or details before moving forward.
BOOK YOUR SUMMER FAMILY PHOTO SESSION
REACH OUT HERE
Let’s make summer the new fall and embrace all the perks of gorgeous Virginia summer days and nights with your family.
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A playful outdoor family session in Charlottesville with 3 kids
