The "Default" Color



I 100% get it. I have two boys and a husband, so what do you think the most common color is in their closets?


Blue, of course.


And honestly, blue is an amazing color. It's the color of the ocean and the sky, two of my favorite things. It's easy to coordinate, it acts almost like a neutral, and it's been the classic go-to color for men for decades.


Have you ever shopped for your husband, son, nephew, or any boy in your life? There aren't exactly endless options that don't include some version of blue. I completely understand why it's often the first choice people make when planning outfits for family photos.


But I'm going to encourage you to think outside the box this year and do one thing:


Don't plan your entire photo wardrobe around the color blue


Yep, I said it.


Think about this: if we're standing in front of a the blue ocean at Duxbury Beach or Rexhame Beach in Marshfield under a blue sky, adding more blue doesn't necessarily create interest. Some of the most beautiful images come from colors that complement the landscape rather than match it.


In my session experience guide (which you receive once you book a session with me), I generally recommend avoiding too much of very dark colors like navy and black. These colors can pull attention away from your faces and don't always coordinate beautifully with the location.


And when everyone is wearing the same or similar shade of blue? The visual interest starts to disappear. The image can begin to feel... well... a little boring.


The entire photo starts to feel very blue.


So what should you wear instead? Keep reading and I'll walk you through it.


Instead of Making Blue the Main Character, Let It Be the Supporting Actress


The South Shore already gives us beautiful blues through the ocean and sky. Choosing softer neutrals and earthy tones allows your family to stand out against the landscape rather than blending into it.


Tip: Think of blue as an accent color rather than the entire color palette.


For family photos, I typically recommend 3-5 colors total across the entire family's wardrobe.

One mistake I see often is choosing a single color and putting everyone in it. The other mistake is choosing too many colors and ending up with something that feels chaotic.


A simple formula is:

  • 1 dominant color
  • 2 supporting neutrals
  • 1-2 accent colors


Don't forget:

  • 1-2 patterns mixed in
  • 2-3 different textures


Palette #1:

Coastal & Timeless

  • Cream
  • Beige
  • Soft blue
  • Sage green


Quick Example:

  • Mom: Cream dress
  • Dad: Light blue button-down + khaki pants
  • Child 1: Sage dress
  • Child 2: Cream romper


Palette #2:

Blue as an Accent

  • Cream
  • Camel
  • Olive
  • Dusty blue


Quick example:

  • Mom: Camel dress
  • Dad: Cream shirt + olive pants
  • Child: Dusty blue outfit with khaki pants


Palette #3:

Fall Family Session

  • Cream
  • Rust
  • Olive
  • Slate blue



Quick Example:

Mom: cream flowy dress with rust  belt

Dad: Slate blue button-down + light khakis

Child 1: Olive linen dress

Child 2: Rust shirt, cream pants

Great Uses of Blue


  • Chambray shirt
  • Soft slate blue dress
  • Blue floral pattern
  • Denim jacket
  • Blue scarf
  • Muted blue knit sweater

Less Ideal


  • Dad in navy polo with dark jeans


  • Mom in navy dress and nobody else wearing blue or navy to coordinate with



  • Everyone in blue jeans

So what the heck do we wear?


Here are Other Colors That Photograph Beautifully and Feel Timeless

Soft Neutrals

  • Cream
  • Beige
  • Oatmeal
  • Light gray

Earth Tones

  • Rust
  • Terracotta
  • Mustard
  • Camel

Soft Greens

  • Sage
  • Olive
  • Eucalyptus

Warm Accent Colors

  • Blush
  • Dusty rose
  • Burgundy


 

Some examples of past sessions where blue was done well or other colors were utilized:

 

A couple in casual attire playfully walks along a sunny beach with waves rolling in behind them.
A mother in a floral dress stands with two young children in a bright greenhouse setting.
A family of four stands together in tall grass along the coast at sunset.
A series of candid photos showing people sitting together in a lush green meadow on a sunny day.
Family of four poses with black dog at golden hour in autumn field with trees and warm sunset light.
Two happy mothers laughing with their young children in warm sunlight, enjoying a joyful family moment together.
Family of three standing barefoot on sandy beach, parents holding toddler's hands outdoors.
Family of four sitting on a blanket in a field during golden hour fall sunset with colorful autumn tree backdrop.
Family of four posing playfully on grass with autumn trees at sunset, parents holding children upside down.
Family of four walking barefoot on a sandy beach at golden hour, wearing white and red outfits near calm water.
A blonde woman in a cream dress and brown boots sits in a rattan chair holding a toddler in a lush greenhouse.
Family of four smiling on sandy beach at sunset with wooden pier in background.

Want to Wear Jeans?


You absolutely can.

The issue isn't jeans. The issue is when everyone shows up in jeans and a white shirt. That look had its moment, but it feels pretty dated today.


My advice is to stay away from jeans that are too blue. Choose softer, more muted washes whenever possible.


If Dad is wearing well-fitting jeans with a cream sweater, that's usually no problem.

If your teenage daughter lives in jeans and feels confident in them, that's perfectly fine too.

The goal is simply to avoid having every single person wearing blue denim.

If You Love Jeans, Choose the Right Wash


I typically prefer:

  • Medium wash
  • Dark wash
  • Clean, classic denim
  • Muted denim


Mixing denim with creams, tans, sage greens, rust tones, and soft patterns creates contrast and helps your family stand out from the landscape.


I Would Avoid:

  • Heavy distressing
  • Large rips
  • Acid wash
  • Very bright blue denim



These styles can become distracting and tend to date photos more quickly.


Wide-leg light wash blue jeans with a high waist, worn with brown leather sandals and a patterned top.
Woman wearing medium wash wide-leg jeans with a high rise, paired with black strappy heeled sandals.

These are a little more on the bright blue side. (Photo from Quince.com)

These are a little more on the lighter side and look better in photos. (Photo from jcrew.com)

But What If Blue Is Your Color?

--> Wear What Feels Like You


At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you're getting in the photos.


You're preserving memories with the people you love, and that matters so much more than whether you picked the "perfect" color palette.


I don't want anyone stressing over this blog post. And I certainly won't judge you if everyone shows up wearing blue. Wear what feels good. Wear what feels like you.


The purpose of this post is simply to offer ideas and encourage you to think beyond the default choice. Because I know that planning outfits is often one of the hardest parts of preparing for family photos.


I'm not trying to ban blue from family photos!!


I'm simply encouraging families to think beyond it or use it in a way that improves the look of your images you invest in.


Putting It All Together


The takeaway:


  • Plan your outfits well before your session date so you don't end up grabbing the easiest option at the last minute.
  • Consider softer, more varied color palettes.
  • Use blue intentionally and think about how it will coordinate with your location.
  • Incorporate texture with blue through denim, linen, chambray, or knits.
  • Use blue as an accent color rather than the entire palette.
  • Don't be afraid to mix in greens, earth tones, creams, and warm neutrals.
  • Ask for wardrobe help. I’m here at your service to guide you.
  • The secret isn't the color. It's the balance.


Not sure what colors will work best for your session?
Send me photos of your outfit ideas and I'd be happy to help you create a color palette that feels natural, timeless, and true to your family.