If you’re in charge of such an intimidating task as creating an extended family shoot style that is cohesive and fun… than you have your work cut out for you!
We are traveling this week for a family reunion and this task has fallen to me! I’m finding that working with extended family is tough in the first place, and so is coordinating photoshoots in general.
Combine the two, and include needing to coordinate outfits, colors, and styles? Forget it!
But, I think we’ve figured out out and now I’m sharing what I found to curate our looks incase you need help with this as well.
I’ve got a guide to unique and cute family photoshoot outfit ideas if you’re looking for something for a smaller group that stands out!
Here’s to finding that simple and classic style that everyone will agree to, for a photo that will stare at me hanging on the wall for years to come.
Table of Contents
Extended Line Outfit Ideas
You need a starting point before you really dig into how to coordinate these photos. Browse some outfit ideas to get an idea of what you like.
1. Casual And Toned
This family has their color palette down. Nothing too strict, and very inclusive of everyone’s style and personality.
2. Nature Tones
The colors of nature here are perfect! Everyone wore a color that works for them and it all works. Picking a season (this one is fall) and letting people run with it works great.
3. Deep Colors
Keeping the tone deep is another great way to coordinate. The mood over the color.
4. Keep It Light
Light tones and colors in dressier attire is a beautiful theme to rock with and keeps everyone on the same page.
5. Style Choice
Yes, there’s a color theme here, but the style choice is also something a little free spirited, bohemian, southern summery.
6. Complimentary Colors
The hues here are not exactly matching, but they work better sometimes than keeping to the same temperature. These outfits are mostly neutral with complimentary colors. Blue and orange are right across the color wheel from each other, and it just makes them pop so beautifully in nature.
7. Classy
These photos capture everyone in such a lovely light. Solid, simple, and classy.
8. Simple
These outfits are simple and match a dark cool toned palette.
9. Easy Breezy
This family didn’t coordinate too hard, and it works. How refreshing to see personalities and reality coming through in a photo like this.
10. Tee Shirt Dresses
I love how relaxed and comfortable this family looks in such an elegant way. It matches the theme of the photos, but they don’t lose anything by keeping a more casual dress code.
11. White Neutrals
Keeping it simple has never looked so beautiful. Everyone can follow these color instructions, and with a bohemian style instruction, these are just so lovely.
Multi-Generational Family Photo Style
If you have no idea what colors or style or setting to choose, these might spark some inspiration! Seeing what other families have done is the best way to narrow down what works for your family.
12. Denim And Neutral
The photo itself and the family members each stand out when the colors are so low-key.
13. Blues And Greens
A blend of neutral and natural colors in light tones.
14. Pops
Some pops of coral in this makes these photos shine! It adds some fun and lightheartedness to the vibe of the family and the photoshoot as a whole.
15. Classic And Country
These outfits have a bit of a country vibe to them that really matches the setting they’re in. A golden wheat field goes flawlessly.
16. Dress Up In Jewel Tones
An elegant dress code in holiday jewel tones are perfect for that classy family photo.
17. Simple Casual
I love the mix of light pea coats, cardigans, denim jackets, trucker jackets… All because they match the same cute casual fall theme. This is perfect for letting everyone wear what they want but keeping to a light neutrals/denim color scheme.
18. All White
This is stunning, especially in black and white.
19. Marigold
The marigold pops are just perfect for the bright and young family that this is. With a dark backdrop, it just simply makes a statement.
20. Bright
There’s nothing dull or simple about this family’s photos! Stunning.
21. Pink And Blue
Pinks and blues, boys and girls. This is a classic.
Styling Tips For Large Families
I love when there’s something interesting like a little pop of color or maybe a couple of family heirloom jewelry pieces. Whatever you have available to you, grab some styling tips and ideas here.
22. Country Style
This family clearly has country roots, and I love that they each embraced it in their outfits! Keep true to your family’s style.
23. Individual Colors
I love this, everyone has their own deep primary color. It’s too perfect.
24. Tropical
If your family is more of a tropical and vacationing kind of family rather than a simple and minimal vibe, run with a color palette like this.
25. Same Color
This is more of a matching situation than a coordinating situation. They’re basically all in the same color! And it’s stunning.
25. Same Outfit
The men in these photos all wearing the exact same outfits is a perfect example of matching and matching the environment.
26. Rust In The Red Sand
Another stunning example of matching the environment colors.
27. Bright Spring Colors
With an environment with quiet colors, you can play with being loud and fun with the hues and colors your family chooses.
28. Patterns
Mixing patterns works when the colors are all the same.
29. Blues And Tans
Navy and light blues are really popular colors to choose for these kinds of photoshoots, and you can see why. When mixed with tans and neutrals, it’s so easy to work all together.
30. Piece By Piece
While there are several colors going on, and none are neutral, this is a case where each piece was carefully coordinated.
31. Beachy
There’s not much of a theme here either, but it works!
32. Blues And Grays
When the blues are almost gray, it’s basically a neutral, right?!
Color Options For Multi Family Pictures
I just wanted to include some maybe because the colors are some of my favorites more so than the actual outfits themselves.
33. Desert Colors
This shoot in Palm Springs is so pretty in muted blues and golds.
34. Pastels
Bright pastels for all the kids keeps it so pretty and fun.
35. Dark Tones, Light Sand
The light sand as a backdrop for these dark colors is such great contrast for a photo. You and your family will really pop.
36. Black Pieces
Pieces of black is edgy but it’s so beautiful for this family.
37. Casual Basics
The basics in a casual style is so perfect and easy to coordinate.
38. Solid Colors
The bright and bold in the solid colors just works, even if it doesn’t make sense.
39. Sepia Tones
These tones of sepia make for the most beautiful vintage feel. A little warmer than typical neutrals but stunning.
40. Light Neutrals
Contrast always makes for an interesting photo, but sometimes for extended family photos, there’s a need for some calmness in the colors as well as the scenery.
41. Few Bright Touches
Just a few bright touches like the blue sweater make these what they are.
42. Dark Fall Tones
The dark fall tones all coordinate so well together.
43. Backyard Chill
Doing something low-key in the backyard? Keep it low-key! These colors and outfits go well together because of the style dynamic. You don’t have to overthink it!
How To Coordinate Outfits
Coordinating outfits is different than matching outfits, and depending on the situation, it can tend to be easier. Coordinating is more like lightly matching.
An example of the difference in these: matching is having everyone wear a white tee and light wash blue jeans. Coordinating is telling everyone the color palette is white, blue, and denim. You might end up with variations of white jeans and blue tops and white tops and blue jeans, but the visuals will be stunning in the end either way.
How to coordinate outfits:
- Select your colors. This is best done if you include simple colors and neutrals. Blue and white is a great example because blue can bring in the basics like denim and white goes with everything. You might end up with a blue flannel, but in a simple color palette, it still works.
- Emphasize a season. If you’re on the beach, remind everyone it’s summery themed. If you’re in a field, fall styles and colors might be a better route.
- Let them know if it’s casual or dressy. If you have a variation of textures, colors, and fabrics within the right dress code, you’re going to capture some really fun and interesting dimension with the outfits in the photo.
What Are The Best Colors For Big Groups?
The best colors for big groups are going to be neutrals. I know it’s kind of boring, but if you give them the guidance of dark neutrals or light neutrals, and then a couple of accent colors I think you’ll get a good result.
It gives more personality to not just stick to the safe color options, unless you’re concerned about someone taking them too far!
Dressing anyone for a photoshoot in any capacity is already a stressful situation, so I hope that you’ve found the inspiration and tips you needed to guide yourself, your immediate family, and the extended family in the right direction for the most beautiful photo you can get.
This will be cherished for generations, so while you want it to be perfect, it’s important to remember as people look back on the photo they won’t notice the one aunt who went rogue with the dress code.
It’s okay if people put their own spin and personalities on it, in fact it only showcases your family even more!