How to Choose Family Photo Shoot Outfits That Aren't Too "Matchy-Matchy"

The best photos don't necessarily come when you all dress up in your holiday best. Instead, consider a more casual approach. But that doesn't mean you should put everyone in khakis and a white shirt. Make sure at least one member of your family is a bit jazzed up (my daughter did the heavy style lifting here) and that you're not all wearing outfits that are light on top, dark on bottom, for visual interest. Also, remember that a cool pair of shoes can go a long way toward sprucing up an otherwise plain outfit.

I often find myself returning to blue as a color scheme because it works for everyone and is incredibly easy to find already stocked in our closets. For this shoot, I did pick up some coordinating pieces for my kids (a bandana-print dress for my daughter, and a pair of patchwork bandana-print shorts for my son) from Crewcuts, and then I worked my outfit and my husband's around them, no shopping required.

If you're taking photos outside in nature, keeping your outfits simple and neutral-toned is probably your best bet. Too much color and pattern can conflict with the surroundings. But neutral doesn't have to mean boring. Small patterns, like my son's Tea Collection shirt, will read like a more interesting solid in pictures, and my daughter's striped linen Tea Collection dress added some interest to the color scheme. As a general rule, I'll put my kids in wilder outfits than my husband and I because, let's face it, they're really the stars.

Color and pattern can be awesome in a photo as long as not everyone is wearing competing styles and shades. For this photo, I found a dress that my postbaby body felt comfortable in, and then I planned my family's outfits to work with it. Remember: if mama's not happy with how she looks in a photo, it's a failure — no matter how cute everyone else looks — so prioritize your own look.

If finding coordinating colors and patterns is out of your comfort zone, there's no shame in sticking to the basics: black, white, and gray. Again, just mix up who's wearing dark and light shades on top and bottom so your photos have depth and visual interest. Black-and-white schemes work especially well if your shoot is taking place in an urban area or photo studio.

If you're going for an eclectic but coordinated look, be sure you're not throwing it together at the last minute. Lay out outfit options on the floor or on your bed to see what works together visually (you might be surprised). Then, once you've settled on favorites, have your family members try them on in advance to make sure everything fits and — if you have a picky dresser, like me — feels good enough to wear for at least an hour or two. Also, don't forget accessories. Shoes, hair bows, cool tights, and even a purple popsicle can add a sense of playfulness to your photos.

The holidays are all about sparkles and shine, and while a shoot in formal wear might not work for your family (it certainly doesn't for mine), there's no reason you can't sneak in some glam in a less fancy way. For this year's photo shoot, I couldn't resist wearing this fun, gold satin skirt, which looked even cooler paired with my son's mustard jeans and my daughter's gold-embellished dress.