What to Wear for Your Spring Photo Session: A Complete Guide

🌸 Spring is finally here, and I couldn’t be more excited to capture your beautiful families in the perfect weather! One question I’m getting this week is, “What should we wear for our spring photos?” I’m so glad you asked! I love helping clients dress best for the season, so let’s chat about how to dress for SPRING photos!

Embrace Spring’s Gorgeous Colors

Spring gives us such a beautiful natural palette to work with! When choosing your outfits, consider colors that occur naturally in the spring. What’s blooming outside? Mirroring the colors that occur naturally outside in the spring like these colors will always look great:

• Light pink tones that match those gorgeous spring blossoms
• Sage/Mint green helps to pop off of green foliage. Darker greens are great for accent colors like boy’s/men’s pants, but tend to blend into the background too much if used as an entire dress/outfit
• Soft purples
• Gentle yellows
• Soft Blues

These pastel hues look absolutely stunning in photos and compliment the AZ desert or fresh greenery (like my Orchard Mini-Sessions!).

Try to Coordinate, Not Match

Trust me on this one—coordinating outfits rather than matching exactly creates much more sophisticated and visually interesting photos! When everyone wears identical outfits, it can feel a bit dated. Instead:

• Pick 3-4 complementary colors from our spring palette (like the color combinations in the above graphics)
• Let each family member show their personality by giving them their own coordinating color and outfit type (like the family pictured below)
• Mix up fabric textures, accessories (like little guy’s suspenders and mom’s hat below) and add subtle patterns (e.g. mom’s dress) for visual interest
• Create a harmonious look without being matchy-matchy

This approach adds such wonderful depth to your images and lets everyone’s unique personality shine through.

Fabrics That Photograph Beautifully

Spring is perfect for lightweight fabrics that catch the breeze:

• Light cottons and linens add gorgeous texture to your photos
• Subtle patterns like gingham (pictured below) or small florals work wonderfully without overwhelming. Try to avoid large floral prints as they distract the eye in images.
• Solid colors are always a safe bet and keep the focus on your smiling faces
• Layered looks add dimension and style to your photos

Be Ready for Spring’s Mood Swings!

We all know spring weather can change its mind in a heartbeat! Be prepared with:

• Cute, coordinating light jackets or cardigans that complement your outfits
• Layers you can easily add or take off as temperatures rise or fall
• Maybe a backup pair of shoes in case we encounter damp/muddy ground

Having these options means we can keep shooting and having fun no matter what spring throws our way (like the ladies above who had a session with cloudy weather, mud, & rain sprinkles, then sunshine! I was so grateful they brought cute jackets and extra shoes so we could keep shooting and be comfortable!).

When in Doubt, Neutrals Are Your Friend

Feeling overwhelmed by color choices? No worries at all! Neutrals are always a winner:

• White and cream look fresh and bright against spring greenery
• Khaki and light beige adds subtle warmth
• Soft gray gives you a modern, clean look

Neutrals create that timeless feel and let the beautiful spring setting take center stage.

Quick Tips for Photo-Ready Families

• Try on everyone’s outfits together at least a week before (no last-minute panic!)
• Think about our location when choosing colors (desert vs. green trees)
• Keep accessories simple (headbands for ladies, suspenders for boys, etc.)
• Make sure everyone feels comfortable—confidence shows in photos!
• Give everything a quick iron or steam before your session

I can’t wait to capture your family’s special moments this spring! Feel free to contact me with photos of your planned outfits if you’d like a second opinion—I’m always happy to help!

Remember: Your genuine smiles and the love between you are what truly make the photos magical. The outfits just help us showcase that beauty even more!