What to Wear for Your Cape Cod Family Photos: A Style Guide

Planning your family photo session on Cape Cod is exciting, but one of the biggest questions you might have is: What should we wear? Choosing the right outfits can make a huge difference in the final look and feel of your photos. As a Cape Cod family photographer, I’ve helped countless families coordinate their looks, and I’m here to share some tips to help you make the most of your session.

Whether you're taking photos on the beach, in a charming Cape Cod village, or at a picturesque park, here’s a style guide to help you choose outfits that complement the natural beauty of the area and ensure your family shines in every shot!

1. Embrace Neutral and Earthy Tones

Cape Cod’s natural landscape is soft and beautiful, from sandy beaches to rolling dunes and lush greenery. Choosing neutral tones like beige, cream, soft blues, and warm earthy shades (think terracotta or sage green) will blend beautifully with these surroundings. These colors create a timeless and cohesive look while keeping the focus on your family’s connection rather than bold, distracting patterns.

Pro Tip: Avoid overly bright colors like neon or stark whites, which can feel out of place in the natural landscape and distract from the natural, serene vibe Cape Cod offers.

2. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Gone are the days when matching outfits were the norm. Instead, opt for coordinating colors and tones. Pick a color palette of 3-4 complementary shades, and have each family member wear different variations of those colors. This approach creates visual interest while ensuring everyone looks harmonious in the photos.

For example, if you’re going for a coastal theme, you could mix shades of soft blue, cream, and light gray. If you're taking photos in the fall, warm tones like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and deep greens are perfect for a cozy, autumnal look.

3. Add Layers and Textures

Layers and textures can add depth to your photos. Think cardigans, light jackets, scarves, or even hats. Textured fabrics like linen, knits, and denim photograph beautifully, especially in Cape Cod’s breezy, outdoor settings.

Layers also offer practical benefits—Cape Cod weather can be unpredictable! Having extra options lets you adjust to the conditions, so you’re comfortable and look great no matter what.

4. Consider the Location

Where you’re taking photos on Cape Cod can influence your outfit choices:

Beach Sessions: Soft pastels, light blues, whites, and sandy beige tones work well with Cape Cod’s coastal backdrop. Lighter, muted earthy tones like browns, tans, oranges and yellows can look beautiful for golden hour sessions, as well. Flowing dresses, linen shirts, and casual outfits give a relaxed, breezy feel.

Parks or Fields: Warmer, earthy tones like olive green, burgundy, and mustard yellow pop beautifully against the greenery and foliage. Blues contrast beautifully among fall colors.

5. Comfort is Key

Your family should feel comfortable in what they’re wearing! If the kids (or adults) are uncomfortable, it will show in the photos. Choose outfits that allow movement and reflect your family’s personality. The more comfortable and confident everyone feels, the more natural and relaxed the photos will be.

Pro Tip: Be mindful of footwear, especially for beach or outdoor sessions. Barefoot photos work beautifully for beach sessions, while casual sandals or comfortable flats are ideal for park or village settings.

6. Keep It Simple with Patterns

I always love solids the most but a few small patterns can be ok, think, less is more. Stick to subtle, minimal patterns like small stripes, delicate florals, or soft plaids. Avoid bold patterns that can overwhelm the photo. If one family member is wearing a pattern, keep everyone else in solids or neutral tones to balance it out.

7. Don’t Forget About Accessories

Accessories can elevate your outfits and tie everything together. Hats, jewelry, and even a cozy blanket for beach sessions can add an extra layer of style to your photos. Just be mindful not to over-accessorize—keep it simple and let the focus remain on your family’s connection. And always remove hair ties and keep you cell phones in the car so they are not in pant pockets!

8. Plan Ahead

Give yourself plenty of time to plan your family’s outfits before the session day. Lay everything out together to make sure the colors and textures complement each other. If you're unsure, feel free to reach out to me for guidance—I’ve seen it all and can offer suggestions to make sure your vision comes to life.

Ready to Book Your Cape Cod Family Session?

I hope this guide helps you feel more confident about choosing outfits for your Cape Cod family photos! When your family is dressed in coordinated, comfortable, and location-appropriate outfits, the photos will naturally reflect your personalities and the beautiful Cape Cod surroundings.

If you’re ready to book your family session or have more questions about what to wear, contact me today! Together, we’ll create timeless memories in the heart of Cape Cod.