Choosing the Right Colors for Spring Family Photo Outfits (with examples)

Hello, beautiful greenery, flowers, and LIFE!! Spring is one of my favorite seasons and one of the most beautiful times for family photos. The light is soft, the colors are fresh, and everything feels new again. However, I know that choosing your spring family photo outfits can quickly feel overwhelming.

If you’ve ever stood in front of your closet wondering how to dress your family (much less yourself) and what colors to use, you’re not alone. The good news is this: you don’t need to stress too hard because I’m here to help. You also don’t perfectly matching outfits. You just need a simple, cohesive spring color palette that works together naturally.

And if that still feels daunting, that’s exactly why I walk my families through a design consultation before we shoot your session. We chat about what works for your family, what feels true to you, and how to fit it into the environment in a natural way. If you’re in the Chicagoland suburbs, let’s connect!

Ok, let’s dive in.

How to Use a Color Palette for Spring Family Photo Outfits

Before we dive into specific colors, here’s a simple way to approach outfits:

Choose one main color and pair it with one or two soft neutrals. Focus on coordinating, not matching. Mix light textures, keep patterns minimal, and avoid bold logos.

This helps the outfits blend and compliment each other rather than compete. It also ensures that you fit perfectly into nature’s spring palette, which is itself generally soft and light (think: Easter tones).

Spring Outfit Colors 1: Soft Blue and White

Soft blue is a classic spring color palette choice. It feels clean, peaceful, and photographs beautifully in natural light.

This palette works especially well for outdoor spring family photos with open skies, blooming trees, or neutral backgrounds.

For outfits, consider a soft blue dress or blouse for mom. Pair white, light gray, or tan pieces for everyone else. Light-washed denim is also great option for pants! You can also weave in chambray, linen, and cotton fabrics to keep the look light and effortless.

Avoid dark navy tones, which can feel heavy for spring.

Spring Outfit Colors 2: Light Brown and Soft Warm Neutrals

Neutral spring outfit colors never go out of style. Cream, tan, and soft brown create a warm, elegant look that works for every skin tone. Light gray can also work well as an anchoring neutral!

This spring color palette is perfect if you want photos displayed in your home, because they are timeless and match nearly everything.

Think: cream dresses, oatmeal knits, tan chinos, and soft layers paired with whites. Texture is key here. Linen, ribbed fabrics, and light sweaters add interest without adding distracting color.

This palette is simple, calming, and highlights the beautiful environment and faces!

Spring Outfit Colors 3: Blush Pink With Floral or Neutrals

Blush is a favorite for spring family photos because it feels soft and romantic without being overpowering.

Pair blush with cream, light gray, or soft beige to keep the palette balanced. Muted blush tones work best and photograph more naturally than bright or super saturated pinks.

This spring color palette is especially lovely for families with young children and pairs beautifully with floral or light outdoor settings. Like, these family photos in the gorgeous Illinois tulip fields, for example!

Spring Outfit Colors 4: Sage Green With Soft Neutrals

Sage green has become one of the most popular spring outfit colors—and for good reason. It feels fresh, natural, and modern while still being timeless.

This spring color palette works beautifully with cream, taupe, and soft browns (or light denim!). A sage dress or top paired with neutral outfits creates a relaxed, earthy look that feels very spring-appropriate.

Sage also photographs especially well during golden hour sessions (and, disclaimer, happens to be one of my personal top favorite colors). 😉

Spring Color Outfits 5: Soft Lavender and White

Lavender is an underrated but beautiful statement color for spring family photos! It’s soft and feminine without overpowering the image.

I will say, this palette works best when lavender is used as an accent rather than the main color for everyone. One or two lavender statement pieces in the family (like mom’s dress and son’s button up shirt), looks great when balanced with white and light neutrals.

Stick with pale lavender tones and avoid darker purples, which can feel too heavy for spring.

Spring Outfit Colors 6: Mixed Pastels and Florals

And finally – blending it all together! If you want a nice color splash that isn’t too drenched or saturated for spring, go with a mix of your favorite soft pastels. Pink, dusty blue, sage, soft yellow, lavender – there’s a lot to choose from. But go with 2-3 and coordinate them across the family members for a great blend of spring colors.

Choose soft fabrics and matte finishes to keep the look natural and photo-friendly.

Colors to Avoid for Spring Family Photos

Some colors can distract from the connection in your photos.

Try to avoid neon or overly saturated colors, large logos, bold graphics, and heavy black outfits. These tend to pull attention away from faces and emotion and add extra contrast instead of the softness of spring.

Soft, muted tones always photograph best.

Final Thoughts on Choosing Spring Outfit Colors

The best spring outfit colors are the ones that feel natural to your family and work together effortlessly. A simple spring color palette allows your connection, emotion, and story to take center stage.

If you’re planning spring family photos and want help choosing outfits, I’m always happy to guide you. Styling support is part of the experience, so you never have to figure it out alone! To book spring family photos in Naperville, Aurora, and surrounding areas, inquire here.