How To Wear Bold Prints in Your Family Photos

When it comes to planning your family photography session, choosing the right outfits can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re thinking about wearing a bold print. As a Utah County Family Photographer, I often get asked if bold prints work well in family photos. The answer is yes, they absolutely can! Bold prints can bring beautiful color, personality, and life into your session when styled intentionally. In this post, we’ll talk about how to wear bold prints in your family photos, when they work best, and how coordinating the rest of the family’s outfits can create beautiful images you’ll treasure forever.

Looking for a bold dress for your next photography session? Here are some of my favorites this season:

Recently, I had the sweetest family session where Mom showed up in a bold, floral dress. Think rich colors, flowing fabric, and a pattern that made a statement without overwhelming her. Let me just say—it was stunning. She instantly became the anchor for the whole family’s look, and it photographed beautifully against the natural backdrops Utah County is known for.

But here’s the secret:
When you decide to wear a bold print, the key is to balance it with the rest of the family’s outfits. Bold prints can absolutely shine, but if everyone else is also in loud patterns, your images can start to feel chaotic. You want the focus to be on your family’s connection—not just on your clothes.

How to Make a Bold Print Work in Family Photos:

Coordinate, Don’t Match:
Instead of dressing everyone in prints, pull solid colors from your bold pattern for the rest of the family. If your dress has navy, soft pink, and gold tones, your partner and kids can wear solid outfits in those complementary colors.
Lean on Neutrals:
Neutral tones like cream, taupe, gray, and dusty blue photograph so beautifully and let your bold print be the subtle star of the session.
Keep Other Patterns Subtle:
If someone else really wants to wear a pattern, make sure it’s small and not competing. Think tiny patterns, delicate stripes, or simple textures.
Choose the Right Setting:
In Utah County, we are blessed with soft, natural landscapes—open fields, mountain views, orchards. Bold prints pop perfectly against these muted, organic backgrounds without feeling too heavy or busy.

A Quick Posing Tip for Families with Little Ones

While we’re talking about styling, let’s sneak in a quick posing tip too—especially if you’re bringing a baby or toddler to your session!
When posing with a little one for a close up shot, lift the baby up to your face height. This simple move creates a tighter, more connected pose and keeps everyone’s faces close together in the frame. It also feels more natural, brings out genuine smiles, and captures that beautiful, intimate bond between parents and child. Plus, it helps little ones stay engaged during the session (and who doesn’t love a squishy baby smile at eye level?).

Bold prints can absolutely work in your family photos—and sometimes, they’re exactly what brings your session to life! With a little coordination and thoughtful styling, your family will look cohesive, natural, and beautifully you.

As a Utah County Family Photographer, I love helping families choose outfits that reflect their personalities and photograph like a dream. If you ever need help planning outfits or prepping for your session, I’m just a message away.

Let’s capture the laughter, the love, and all those little moments you never want to forget!