What to Wear for Summer Southern California Family Photography

Once a session is booked and a location is picked, I’m almost always asked, “What should we wear?” I love drawing inspiration from the location and the season when helping clients plan their wardrobe. Here are my tips and styling suggestions for planning your summer looks for a southern California family photography session.

Outfit choice matters more than most people think — it creates a cohesive color story and visual flow while also letting your personality shine through your style. This post is specifically a style guide for summer sessions here in southern California, so consider it your starting point for building a wardrobe you’ll feel great in and love to look back on.

Start With a Summer Color Palette, Not Individual Outfits

By now most of us know that coordinating — not matching — is the move. The 90s may be having a moment, but head-to-toe matching can stay in the past. What I love about coordinating is that it gives each person the freedom to wear something that feels authentic and comfortable to them, while still coming together as a cohesive, intentional group.

Summer is such a great time to lean into color. There’s a common misconception that bold hues don’t work for family photos, but when color is used thoughtfully it adds visual interest, warmth, and personality to your images. Think warm terracotta, soft sage, dusty blue, or a pop of coral — colors that feel joyful and alive in the golden southern California light.

Start your wardrobe planning by pulling inspiration from your chosen location and the colors that make you feel your best. From there you can move into style and fabric choices.

Choose Fabrics That Work Well in the Southern California Summer

Once you have your palette sorted, think about the formality and vibe you’re going for — that will guide your fabric choices and help everyone feel comfortable and put-together at the same time.

Southern California summers are warm, but they can surprise you. A breezy beach session or a late-afternoon shoot as the sun dips below the hills can get chilly quickly. My go-to recommendation is breathable, polished fabrics that can be layered: linen, cotton, and light silk chiffon all photograph beautifully and hold up in the heat. They also move well, which makes a real difference in how relaxed and natural everyone looks in photos.

Fabrics to avoid: polyester and heavy denim. They don’t breathe, they can cause discomfort — especially for kids — and they tend to look stiff rather than effortless.

Pulling Your Southern California Family Photography Session Look Together

Once your outfits are sorted, the finishing touches are what bring everything to life.

Accessories — Don’t Forget the Details

Accessories are one of my favorite ways to add depth, both visually and personally. For summer sessions I love when clients incorporate hats and sunglasses — they add a relaxed, seasonal flair that feels natural rather than posed. Accessories are also a beautiful way to weave in family heirlooms or meaningful pieces that tell your story and make the photos truly yours.

Footwear

Shoes matter more than people expect in photos — they’re often more visible than you’d think, especially in seated or ground-level poses. Choose something comfortable and complementary to your outfit. For summer sessions I love sandals, espadrilles, simple sneakers in neutral tones, or bare feet for beach shoots. Avoid bulky athletic shoes and anything that feels seasonally off for a warm southern California setting — the goal is for your footwear to feel like a natural part of the look, not an afterthought.

What to Avoid

No matter the time of year, a few things are always worth avoiding: logos, graphics, and busy text on clothing tend to pull the eye away from your faces and can date a photo quickly. Neon colors are similarly distracting and rarely translate well on camera. I’d also gently steer you away from brand-new outfits you’ve never worn — save those for after the session. If something doesn’t fit quite right or feels uncomfortable, it will show.

As a Ventura County family photographer, I know that planning outfits for a session can feel overwhelming — and I never want that to be the reason you hold off on booking. The truth is, outfits don’t need to be perfect. They need to represent who you are and how you want to remember this chapter of your life. My biggest priority is that every client feels comfortable, confident, and genuinely themselves in front of the camera, because that’s what makes for photos you’ll treasure for years to come.

If you’re still feeling unsure about what to wear for your southern California family photography session, reach out before your session — I’d love to help you pull it all together.

Feel free to view my portfolio and follow along on Instagram for inspiration!

Book your family session here!