One of the most common questions I get as a family photographer, is “What should we wear to our photo session?”. This is such a great question, and as the one in charge of planning my own, family’s outfits when we get our pictures taken, I get how overwhelming it can quickly become. There are so many options and you want everyone to look their best. Hopefully this post can help guide you as you choose your outfits for your own family photos.

Desert Family Photos

The desert offers a stunning and unique backdrop—think golden sunsets, towering saguaros, and soft neutral tones—so choosing outfits that complement the landscape can truly make your photos pop. Let’s explore different options, and what I recommend my own clients to help them acheive the light and glowy photos I am known for.

Exclusive Style Guide

When you book a session with me, you get access to my exclusive client style guide—a carefully curated resource full of outfit inspiration, color palettes, do’s and don’ts, and examples from real sessions in the Tucson desert. It takes the guesswork out of planning what to wear so you can feel confident and prepared. I’m also always just a message away if you want to bounce outfit ideas off of me or need help pulling pieces together. I love sending personalized links and suggestions to make the planning process easy and stress-free. It’s just one of the many ways I go the extra mile to ensure my clients feel supported and excited for their session!

Ready To Book A Family Session?

If you love what you have been seeing on my website and are ready to book and start planning your family sesssion, feel free to reach out through my contact form or my BOOKING SITE.

1. Stick to Earth Tones and Soft Neutrals

Colors that complement the desert light and natural surroundings work beautifully in photos. Some great options include:

• Sage green, olive, or dusty blue
• Cream, ivory, beige, or tan
• Warm browns, rust, or terracotta
• Blush, mauve, or soft peach

Avoid overly bright neons or stark black and white—these can compete with the natural tones of the desert or blow out highlights in photos. Often bright pinks, purples, yellows, and greens can reflect back onto your face or the ground and create harsh and unnatural skin tones.

2. Coordinate Outfits, Don’t Match

You don’t need everyone to wear the exact same color. Instead, build a color palette of 3–4 tones that complement each other.

Think:
A soft sage dress for mom, a tan henley for dad, and dusty blue and cream for the kids.

Start with one outfit you love (usually mom’s!), then build around it. It often helps if you lay everything out on the floor or the bed and imagine how each outfit looks next to each other.

3. Add Texture with Layers and Fabrics

Desert light loves texture! Consider flowy dresses, linen shirts, knits, or gauze materials.
Details like lace, buttons, and subtle prints can photograph beautifully and add visual interest without being distracting.

Layers like cardigans, vests, or a light scarf can also help you feel more polished while adding dimension to your photos.

4. Dress for Movement and Comfort

The desert often brings a breeze—and you can use that to your advantage! Dresses and skirts that move photograph beautifully. Choose clothing that fits well and allows for walking, lifting kids, or cozying up on a blanket.

If your little ones feel restricted, it’ll show. Comfortable kids are happy kids!

5. Shoes Matter More Than You Think

Closed-toe shoes or sandals that blend in with your outfits are best. Avoid bright white sneakers or athletic shoes unless they match the vibe of your session. Remember the desert IS dusty! If you wear dark footwear, it will collect dust. Either bring some baby wipes, a rag, or see my pro tip below to help minimize the dust on your footwear.

Pro Tip: If you’re planning to walk a little on a trail, wear practical shoes to get there, then change before the session starts.

6. Avoid Large Logos, Neon Colors, or Busy Patterns

These tend to distract from the connection and emotion of the photo. Instead, opt for subtle patterns like florals, stripes, or plaids—ideally just on one person, not the whole family.

Pro Tip: Avoid very small check pattern, especially in Dad’s shirts. This often creates an effect in camera where the pattern becomes wavy, and it looks very odd.

7. Bonus: Don’t Forget Hair, Accessories, and Details

The desert light is magical, especially around sunset. A wide-brim hat, dainty jewelry, or a statement earring can elevate your look without overpowering it.

Hair tip: Loose waves or natural styles look gorgeous in the wind. Tucson weather can be dry, so bring a bit of styling cream or a brush just in case. Also, while we love the wind, we hate flyaway hair. Bring a little wax stick or styling cream to tame those flyaway hairs.

Ready to Book Your Tucson Desert Family Session?

As a Tucson family photographer, I specialize in capturing heartfelt, relaxed images that celebrate your connection. Whether you’re new to the desert or it’s the backdrop to your everyday life, your family’s story deserves to be remembered here.

Contact me HERE to schedule your desert session.
Or follow along on Instagram for more outfit ideas and behind-the-scenes peeks.