Nov19
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Updated September 2026
I feel pretty lucky that I don’t have too many horror stories from family photos. I remember taking photos with my family in the Utah mountains when I was a teenager and it was absolutely freezing and everyone’s lips were blue in the photos. But with my own family, the worst I’ve experienced — thus far — is that I hated my dress the whole time and even more once I got the pictures. Of course, I haven’t taken family photos since my boys have been in the fighting-over-everything phase (which we’re now in) so wish me luck with photos later this week.
A good family photographer will have lots of tricks up their sleeves to help keep kids happy, and I’m here to help you love what you wear. Read on my friend, and good luck on picture day.
Best Dresses for Family Photos
While it can be difficult to navigate kids’ attitudes, I’d argue that the worst part of family photos is not wrangling your kids, but rather, finally getting the gallery back and not liking how you look in the pictures. After all the effort it took to get your family to smile in photos, not loving how you look in them is so discouraging.
One of the most asked questions I get on a regular basis is, “What should I wear for my upcoming family photos?” And as someone who poses for photos daily and shops for a living, I do think I’m a decent resource when it comes to this question. I’m also a mom to a very active almost-6-year-old who doesn’t love pictures and a 2-year-old as well. So, when I tell you I get it, I get it.
Thankfully, I’ve learned a few things over the last few years that help me make sure that I look and feel my best in our family pictures, regardless of how the rest of the evening goes. I’ve gotten one too many galleries back where I haven’t liked how I looked, including fall photos from a couple of years ago. Now, I know what I do like to wear and what I don’t for family photos.
These pictures are a couple of years old, but they are STILL my favorite family photos EVER. (Although I was actually pretty thrilled with our family beach photos a few summers ago too). We took photos with Charles this spring, and I love those as well, but they were for an ad and felt a little more “made up” than usual. I’m hopeful that we can schedule some family photos this fall, and I’ve already found the most affordable fall dresses to choose from.
Dresses for Fall Family Photos
I always opt for dresses for family photoshoots since they are the most forgiving and flattering. The last time I wore anything that wasn’t a dress in family photos was for our engagement photos over 8 years ago! So, today I’m sharing the pretty and practical dresses for fall family photos. While I have a bunch of cute dresses in my closet, not all of them work well for family photos.
A cute mini dress may be the perfect option for a date night with Tommy. However, it probably won’t look as good with a toddler on my hip. It wouldn’t look good while sitting in the grass outside or while chasing Thomas and Charles down throughout the evening. But a maxi dress will allow me to bend down to grab the boys. It’ll also allow me to sit in the grass without flashing anyone and still feel special.
Below, I’m going to share the things I think about when picking out a dress for family pictures and a handful of cute options I’m loving this season. I hope you find something that makes you feel beautiful AND allows you to function as a mom.
What to Wear for Fall Family Photos
Consider sleeve length and dress length.
First, I wanted to share a couple of tips about how I choose what I’m going to wear and show some examples of what worked vs. what I didn’t love.
Since having kids, I’ve learned that I prefer to wear a 3/4 sleeve for family photos. While I have toned arms, there are many more likely to be unflattering angles when wrangling a very active child while wearing cap sleeves or sleeveless options. Part of that is simply knowing what I find looks best on me, and part of it is comfort.
If I do opt for a sleeveless or short-sleeved option, I’ll make sure the dress is on the longer side. For last year’s family fall photoshoot, I wore a gorgeous flutter-sleeved, knee-length dress that I feel GREAT in for a night out, but I hated how it looked in the photoshoot. I was constantly worried about my booty hanging out and had to mess with the sleeves frequently, and I didn’t feel like it was a very flattering option once I got the photos back. Was it awful? No. Is it my favorite, and did I feel my best? Also no.
I think what I learned after wearing a short dress for my beach photos and loving it was that a good look is both fitted somewhere and loose somewhere else. If I go for a short dress, I want longer sleeves, like this dress below.
If I go for sleeveless or short-sleeved, I want a longer dress, like I wore for Halloween a few years back.
So, when choosing your outfit, start to pay attention to how you feel in photos in various styles of dresses. A few weeks before photos, gather a few dresses and prop up your camera and take a bunch of photos in various dresses (I use the Lens Buddy app to auto-snap photos – it’s easier than the phone camera timer). You’ll likely be able to tell how you FEEL in an option while pictures are being taken and be able to SEE how you look your best.
Shoes
This really depends on where you’re shooting the photos, the style of your dress, and your personal preference. But I’ll share a few things to help you think through it.
If you’re taking photos on the beach, I’d go barefoot or wear simple sandals.
If you’re taking photos on grass, a trail, or a rocky area and really want to wear heels, bring a pair of flat sandals for walking between locations and then slip your heels on when you get to each area. I did this for our maternity photoshoot and for both of our fall photoshoots, and it worked well.
Since I’m so short (5’1?), I typically prefer heels, but I always bring two options and always choose a block heel option for easier walking and balance.
And if you’re wearing a very long dress that barely shows your feet, opt for a very neutral sandal so it will just kind of disappear.
Here are the shoes I wear most often for family photos:
- Closed Toe Flats – Larroude Verona Macrame Ballet Flat
- Neutral Heeled Sandals – Larroude Milan Heeled Sandal
- Black Heeled Sandals – Sam Edelman Daniella Heel
I’ve worn Larroude flats and heels through more than one round of family photos, and I go into more detail on sizing and comfort in my Larroude shoe review if you want the full rundown before you buy.
Okay, now let’s get into some specific examples of dresses that I think would work well on most people!
Family Picture Dresses for Moms
If you only take one thing from this post, let it be this: a dress is the easiest win you have on photo day. You don’t have to match a top to a bottom, you don’t have to worry about tucking anything in after you’ve been chasing a toddler through a field, and you don’t have to think about it again once it’s on. That’s exactly why it works so well for me as a mom. I have exactly one decision to make, and then I’m done.
It doesn’t matter what season you’re shooting in or what your body is doing that year (postpartum, pregnant, somewhere in between). I just think through two things: a length and sleeve combination that lets me move, and a print or color that won’t compete with everyone else’s outfits. That’s really all I’m doing every time I pick a dress for family picture dresses, whether it’s this October or a totally different season next year.
If you’re expecting this round of photos, I have a full post on maternity photoshoot dresses that goes into bump-specific fits. And if you’re coordinating outfits for the whole family around a new baby, what to wear for newborn photos covers that from every angle, not just mine.
Hill House Ellie Nap Dress
I wore a Hill House Nap Dress for our Christmas photos last year, and it was classic and comfortable in equal measure (aka: I could still wrangle toddlers and not feel like I was fighting my own outfit). This year I’m loving the Ellie in black poplin. It’s got that same smocked, forgiving fit that makes the whole Nap Dress lineup so easy to move in, just in a cleaner, more neutral colorway that’ll work for more than one season of photos. I’ve got a full Hill House Nap Dress review if you want more detail on sizing and fit before you buy.
Sezane Leandra Dress
The Sezane Leandra is a fitted ribbed knit midi with long sleeves and a shirt collar with crochet buttons down the front, so it has more structure built in than a typical sweater dress without losing any of the coziness. That structure means it’ll hold its shape through an entire photo session instead of stretching out by the second location. I’d pair it with tall boots or loafers depending on how dressed up you want to go.
Tuckernuck Cream Ribbed Midi
A simple Tuckernuck cream ribbed knit midi with clean lines and no extra detail. It’s a neutral that won’t fight with whatever the rest of the family has on, and the ribbed texture gives it a little more visual interest than a flat knit would. Easy to dress up with heels or keep casual with boots depending on where you’re shooting.
Tuckernuck Vivianne Dress
If you prefer a shorter dress for family photos, the Pomander Place Vivienne Sweater Dress from Tuckernuck is my top pick (I’ve rounded up my favorite ways to style a sweater dress). I own this dress in three colors now. It’s cozy and structured all at once, and it works just as well for a Thanksgiving outfit as it does for photo day. It pairs perfectly with tall boots like the Larroudé Milan Flat Boot, and it’s held up through more wears than almost anything else in my closet this fall.
Tuckernuck Pleated V-Neck Midi Dress
The Pleated V-Neck Midi is a nice change of pace from the smocked or eyelet options elsewhere in this post. The V-neck and pleated skirt give it movement without needing a belt or a defined waist to look finished. It’s a good option if you want something that moves a little more freely in photos than a structured piece would.
Tuckernuck Winetasting Eyelet Delaney Dress
The Tuckernuck Delaney has a crisp collar, puff sleeves, and pleats at the waist, so it looks more like a shirt dress than a typical maxi, in a wine-toned eyelet fabric that feels right for the season. It’s a step dressier than some of the other picks here, which makes it a good option if your family photos double as a slightly nicer occasion. They also have a beautiful navy option.
Cleobella Melody Midi Dress
If you want something with more personality than a solid color, the Cleobella Melody Midi has a block-print pattern across a relaxed A-line silhouette with long sleeves and a button-front. It has that artisanal, made-somewhere-specific feel that a plain floral doesn’t always have, and the relaxed fit means you’re not tugging at anything while you’re chasing kids around.
Anthropologie Swing Dress
This one’s a shorter length than most of what’s in this post, so if you go this route, plan for it the way I mentioned earlier: something underneath if you know you’ll be sitting in grass or bending down a lot. The Anthropologie Swing Dress is easy and doesn’t cling anywhere, and the cotton fabric has enough structure to it that it doesn’t feel flimsy the way a lot of mini dresses do.
Tuckernuck Jersey Gramercy Dress
This soft Tuckernuck jersey knit dress is about as low-maintenance as this lineup gets. The jersey moves with you, doesn’t wrinkle and is a really great option if you’re simultaneously wrangling kids during your shoot.
Non-Dress Options for Family Photos
Mersea Cropped White Wide Leg Jeans (and a blouse)
If a dress isn’t your thing, white jeans are a great alternative for family photos, especially paired with a great blouse. The Mersea Cropped White Wide Leg Jeans have a relaxed, cropped fit and white denim keeps things bright without being as stark as an all-black outfit. Pair them with one of my favorite Tuckernuck tops for something a little more elevated than a plain tee.
Tuckernuck Satin Mischa Slip Skirt (and a white tee)
A slip skirt and a great white tee is such an easy combination for photos, and it works on basically every body type. The Tuckernuck Satin Mischa Slip Skirt has a soft satin sheen that makes it feel a little dressed up while still being comfortable enough to wear all afternoon, and it pairs perfectly with a simple white tee, like the Soldout NYC Perfect Tee. I have a white tee roundup if you want more options there.
How to Coordinate the Whole Family for a Family Photoshoot
Once you’ve got your own dress figured out, the harder part of any family photoshoot is usually everyone else. I don’t do matching outfits with Tommy and the boys anymore. It always ends up looking more like a uniform than a family, and it’s one more thing that can go wrong the day of (missing socks, a shirt that got left at our house in Boone, you know how it goes).
What actually works is picking one color from my dress and building everyone else’s outfit around it instead of matching it. If I’m in something wine-toned, Tommy might wear a white button-down with khaki pants. Both picks are from Duckhead, which is one of Tommy’s favorites, so much so that I have a full post of Tommy’s Duckhead picks. And the boys get a mix of neutrals with one small pop of that same wine color somewhere, like a pair of socks or a sweater.
A few other things that make a family photoshoot go smoother once outfits are picked:
- Lay everything out the night before, including shoes, so you’re not searching for a missing sock at 4 pm
- Pack a backup outfit for at least one kid (this has saved more than one shoot for us)
- Keep patterns to one person max. If my dress has a print, everyone else stays solid
FAQs
What kind of dress is best for family pictures?
A midi or maxi dress in a soft, non-clingy fabric is the easiest choice for family pictures. I always recommend a 3/4 sleeve too, since it’s the most forgiving length if you’re moving around or holding kids throughout the session.
What color dress is best for family photos?
Neutrals like cream, taupe, and soft gray tend to photograph the most true-to-life, and small floral prints work well too. I’d stay away from neon or very bright colors since they can cast an odd color onto your skin in photos.
Should moms wear long or short dresses for family photos?
I almost always choose a longer dress for family photos. It feels more elevated in photos, and it lets me sit down or kneel next to my kids without worrying about anything riding up or showing more than I want it to.
What should a mom wear for fall family photos?
Any of the family photo dresses for mom above will work well for fall, especially the ones with warmer tones or long sleeves. Pick whichever length and sleeve style fits how you’ll be moving during the session, and you can’t go wrong.
The Bottom Line
Pick the dress that lets you be present instead of tugging at your outfit the whole time. A soft midi or maxi in a color you already love will always beat something trendy that makes you self-conscious in every shot.
I’m still hoping to get our own family photos scheduled this fall, and if I had to pick right now, I’d go with the Hill House Ellie in black poplin. If you want more options beyond what’s in this post, I’ve also got a full list of affordable fall dresses to dig through. Ten years from now, I’d rather look back and see a dress that felt like me than something I only wore because it was trendy that year.
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2 responses to “The Best Dresses for Family Photos (+ tips to pick your most flattering option)”
Can you please link (or share) where the first dress in the cover photo on the blog is from? The light blueish floral? Thank you!
Hi! It’s from Nothing Fits But – I found the same dress in a similar print here!