The beige aesthetic is having a major moment in both children’s wear and adult clothing. (And in the toy space, too!) Many photographers (me included!) often recommend neutrals for family photos. But let’s be honest – neutrals are safe and easy, but they’re not the only way to look amazing in your photos.
So… do you have to wear beige for family photos? Nope.
But first, let’s chat about why beige and other neutrals are so popular in family photography. Maybe neutrals are the way to go for your family, maybe they’re not.
Why Do Photographers Love Neutrals?
Coordinating neutrals is easier than coordinating colors, especially when dressing a whole family. Neutrals naturally look nice together, creating a harmonious look without much effort, and photographers want to make things easy on their clients.
Beyond ease, neutrals fade into the background so your family’s love and connection can shine most! Colors, when not done well, can easily steal the show and draw attention away from the people in the photo. Neutrals just aren’t dynamic enough to do that.
Neutrals also:
- Are seasonless and look great in photos year-round.
- Rarely clash with outdoor backgrounds
- Can act like a built-in reflector, bouncing light back onto the subject, projecting flattering light onto the face and skin.
- Avoid unflattering color casts(1) on the skin
I especially love neutrals and very soft tones on newborns and babies because they really let the baby be the star of the portrait – as they should be!
Let’s look at a good example of a more dynamic shirt and a neutral one. On the shirt on the left, the contrast between the navy and the white draws the viewer’s eye straight to the shirt. The boy is fading into the background. On the right, the beige shirt blends in, making the boy’s face the natural focal point.
But What If Beige Isn’t You?
If your home is painted with bold, dark colors and your wardrobe is exclusively filled with colorful statement pieces, maybe you’re afraid you won’t feel like yourself in neutrals–and everyone deserves to feel like themselves in their photos. Color can be done well. There’s a lot of room between that pale beige shirt and the bold navy and white stripes.
So let’s talk about how to do color well. Here are some tips for incorporating color into your family photos:
How to Use Color Thoughtfully in Family Photos
- Stick with earthy or muted colors.
Earth tones, like golden mustard, olive green, and rust orange, blend beautifully with outdoor settings–adding depth and visual interest without stealing the spotlight.
Choose earthy, natural colors
Instead of neons or primary tones
Muted colors (anything with “dusty” or “soft” in the name) still let you express personality and color but in a gentler way that doesn’t compete with the other things in the frame.
Choose muted, dusty versions of colors
Instead of the bright, clear crayon box versions
- Anchor with neutrals. Even if you incorporate color into your family’s photos, mix in beige, cream, oatmeal, gray, or charcoal.
- Avoid neons and highly saturated (think elementary school crayon colors). They can cast color on skin and distract from faces.
- Create pops of color with accessories and on the bottom half (skirts, pants). A lipstick red shirt will likely reflect that red tone on your face, but if it’s a skirt, it’s a safer choice. However, be wary of bright colors on the bottom half if you will be posing with kiddos, because even though that red skirt isn’t going to be reflecting on your face, if you’re posing with a three-year-old, their face might end up right next to that red skirt!
What Matters Most
I’m not here to convince you to wear neutrals — or embrace color — for your family photos. Both can be done beautifully and make gorgeous photos. They’re just different options.
And your wardrobe isn’t the most important part. Your family’s connection and love – that’s the real magic. Clothing is just the window dressing.
And if you’re unsure what to wear, don’t stress! My clients get access to my prep guide with outfit inspiration and can also schedule a wardrobe consultation to get my help with coordinating their clothing. We’ll make sure your family looks and feels amazing, in beige or full technicolor.
