Summer is just around the corner, and that has me thinking about lavender field family photos which typically happen in July. Not only are lavender fields beautiful to walk through and explore - they also smell amazing. When you start walking through the rows of flowers you instantly start to relax - not a bad bonus for your session!

One of the biggest headaches when planning for your family photo shoot can be choosing everyone’s outfits (trust me - I’ve been there), and I am here to help make it easy. In this blog, I will go over different color schemes that work well in lavender field portraits, as well as things to avoid. I will also share some of my favorite stores to shop, including local ones right in the Portland area.

One thing that I want to mention ahead of my wardrobe suggestions is that what I love and recommend might not fit your individual style, and that’s totally fine! Whether you book a photo session with me or another photographer, it’s most important for you to be true to your style and the vision you have for your photos and I will always support and encourage that.

**Note: None of the links below are affiliate links and I don’t get any commission from you shopping there - I just really love the clothing!

family playing in lavender fields in Newberg, Oregon

what colors work for lavender field photos

It’s best to stick to soft neutrals and pastels when considering the right color scheme for your lavender field family photo outfits. As you can see above, the kids are all in neutral clothing, while dad has some pastel blue and mom is wearing a pop of color (but not too bright). Some colors that compliment the purple flowers nicely are light blues, light pinks, tans and white. Throwing a pattern into the mix is not a bad idea if it’s only one pattern (you do not want to mix and match patterns) and it’s somewhat neutral so as not to distract from the natural beauty of the flowers.

what should mom wear for lavender field photos?

First off, let me say that when planning outfits for the entire family - mama you need to choose yours first! Make sure it is something you love, feel confident wearing, and more importantly something that is comfortable (trust me, if you are uncomfortable it will show in your photos). From there, you can plan other family members outfits that compliment yours.

I love long, flowy dresses as an outfit option for mom in her lavender field photos. To be honest, I think these types of dresses for any kind of outdoor photo session are perfect! They are elegant, flattering, and give the outfit some depth when you move or twirl. The dress in the above photo was purchased at Nordstrom. This sand colored off the shoulder dress from Joyfolie is simply stunning. This ivory colored dress from Free People is another one I think looks great on and is versatile. One local shop, Cupcake Couture here in Sherwood, Oregon always has a great selection of adorable (and affordable) dresses, and I also love shopping local to support other small businesses!

what should dad wear for lavender field Photos?

Dads outfit can range from casual to dressy - both looks work. Dress pants or shorts with a nice t-shirt or button down are flattering and work great for your lavender field family photos. Just like with mom, make sure dad is comfortable in what he is wearing and that clothing fits appropriately (not too small or too big).

what should kids wear for lavender field photos?

Probably more important than mom and dad being comfortable is making sure your kids are comfortable. We do everything on the day-of photos to make sure the kids are happy and photo ready (adjusting nap times and even adding a nap if needed, making sure they are well fed and excited for their upcoming photo-op - you get the idea) the last thing you want to miss is making sure they feel good in what they are wearing. I adore suspenders and bow ties on boys and summer dresses on girls. You can add in hats, sweaters and hair bows to complete the look. Some of my favorite shops for kids clothing are Old Navy, Gap and J Crew Kids for both boys and girls, and Joyfolie for girls. I also frequent a local children’s boutique Le D Bug Boutique for adorable, photo ready in-season clothing.

three kids playing in lavender field in Newberg, Oregon

three kids sitting on bench smiling at the camera

what not to wear for lavender field photos

As much as I love talking about what TO wear for your lavender field family photos, it’s also good to be aware of what NOT to wear.

You want to stay away from bright colors as well as dark colors such a black and dark blue or brown.

If you want to add ONE pattern to your outfits I say go for it - but don’t mix and match patterns, or have everyone wearing the same pattern. A good example of pattern coordinating is to have dad wearing a pattern on his shirt and one of the boys wearing the same pattern on his shorts or bow tie or hat.

Try to stay away from visible logos on clothing or shoes as this can be extremely distracting and take away from the final photos. And while we are talking about shoes, try to stay away from athletic shoes if you can.

One last thing to mention about lavender field family photos is that there are honey and bumble bees - so make sure to prep your kids ahead of time. They rarely sting but can be intimidating (and loud). The good news is that toward the end of the day, the shade hits the flowers, the bees go to sleep and you mostly cannot see or hear them anymore. Given that most of my sessions are around sunset, bees haven’t been much of an issue, but it’s always nice to be aware, especially for parents with kids who are very afraid of bees (like mine).

Two local lavender farms I love are Wayward Winds Lavender Farm in Newberg, Oregon (where these photos were taken) and Mountainside Lavender in Hillsboro, Oregon. In the summer, Wayward Winds is open for u-pick, special events and photography sessions. Though Mountainside Lavender recently closed their fields for u-pick, they are open for photography sessions during the lavender season. Be sure to check their websites for exact opening and closing dates.