2025 Summer Family Photos Style Guide | Raleigh Family Photography

Written By Devin Desjarlais

Every summer in Raleigh tells a slightly different story. Yours might include sticky popsicle hands and backyard sprinklers, lazy afternoons at the local park, and slow, golden evenings catching fireflies by last sunlight.

Family photos are one way we press pause on all of it and what you wear becomes part of the story you’re telling. The color of your dress, the way your son’s curls bounce as he runs in that linen romper, the tiny grass stains on your toddler’s knees by the end? It all adds texture to your memory.

As a Raleigh family photographer who loves personality, movement, and photos that feel real, I’m here to help you choose outfits that will look beautiful in photos and also feel like you.

Tip #1: Start with a Color Palette That Feels Like Summer

The most impactful family galleries usually start with one thing: a cohesive color palette. Not matching outfits, but outfits that belong in the same scene, like characters in the same book.

Color is made for summer. Think warm, earthy tones or sun-washed brights. Here are a few of my favorite color combinations:

  • Terracotta, clay, olive, and oat

  • Denim blue, mustard, blush, and ivory

  • Sage green, rust, cream, and soft berry

Outfit Ideas:

These tones photograph beautifully in golden hour light and help to create a mood that feels relaxed, warm, and connected.

Tip #2: Let Patterns and Texture Add Personality

Patterns can tell their stories. A floral print might remind you of your grandma’s old wallpaper or the way your daughter always picks daisies in the backyard. Texture adds another layer that brings warmth and life into the frame.

The trick is to mix without clashing:

  • Choose 1–2 family members to wear patterns

  • Balance that with solids or textured neutrals for everyone else

  • Stick with larger patterns or soft shapes (tiny checks or logos can be distracting)

Outfit Ideas:

Patterns and texture bring movement and visual interest. When done right, they help your photos feel rich and layered,  just like real life.

Tip #3: Wear Clothes That Let You Be You

This ain’t JCPenney Portrait Studios. Your family photos should make your story stand out. Maybe that story includes cuddling, dancing, chasing, and playing. Choose clothes that let you do all of that.

Look for breathable fabrics, comfortable fits, and pieces that move with you (not against you).

Outfit Ideas:

  • Mom: Soft cotton overalls the color of a summer sunset

  • Dad: Rolled sleeves, soft pants, and a shirt he doesn’t feel stiff in

  • Daughter: A dress she can spin in (and maybe with pockets she can fill with flowers)

  • Son: Pull-on shorts, a shirt that stays tucked, and room to run

When your kids feel comfortable, they’ll play freely. When you feel good in your clothes, you’ll relax. And when everyone’s relaxed? That’s when the magic happens.

Tip #4: Keep Shoes Simple (or Skip Them Altogether)

If you choose to wear shoes during your family, go neutral and classic. Avoid anything too modern, sporty, or flashy (unless it's intentional, again this is your story!).

Outfit Ideas:

  • Mom: Neutral sandals or barefoot

  • Dad: Simple brown slip-ons or canvas sneakers

  • Daughter: Woven sandals or barefoot with a sweet anklet

  • Son: Leather moccasins, slip-ons, or no shoes at all

Your Quick-Start Checklist

✅ Choose a 2–3 color palette that feels cohesive
✅ Mix in a little pattern and texture
✅ Pick outfits that move and breathe
✅ Go easy on the shoes, or skip them
✅ Add one or two personal accessories
✅ Think: What do I want to remember about us right now?

Let’s Make This Easy and Fun

Feeling overwhelmed about what to wear? That’s completely normal. My best advice is this: start with what makes you feel good, keep it simple, and trust that the beauty is in the connection, not the perfection.

When you book a session with me, I’m happy to help you brainstorm what to wear, offer guidance, and share ideas based on what works beautifully in Raleigh’s summer light. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

So bring the colors. Bring the quirks. Bring the people you love. I’ll capture the magic you already have.

📍 Serving families across Raleigh, Durham, and the Triangle with colorful, connection-filled photography that feels like home.

Devin Desjarlais
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