What to wear to your family portrait session …

You’ve booked your family session — exciting! Now it’s time for one of the biggest questions every parent asks: What should we all wear?

It can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple tips (and a little planning), you’ll pull together outfits that look beautiful, feel comfortable, and photograph perfectly — without matching white T-shirts and blue jeans unless you really want to!

1. Pick a Colour Palette, Not a Uniform

Gone are the days of everyone wearing exactly the same thing. Instead, choose a colour palette — a group of colours that work beautifully together — and have everyone pick outfits within that palette.

For example:

• Soft neutrals (like beige, cream, soft blue, navy)

• Earthy tones (like olive, mustard, rust, denim)

• Coastal colours (like white, sand, sky blue, navy)

You don’t all have to wear the same colour — it’s even better if everyone’s outfits are a little different! — but the colours should blend and complement each other, not clash.

Tip:
Avoid clashing colours like red and orange together — they tend to fight each other in photos. Similarly, steer clear of overly bold patterns or neon colours, as they can dominate and distract from your beautiful faces.

Also avoid whites and blacks, they are very harsh with skin tones, and can look wedding-y!

2. Think About the Location and the Weather

Where we’re shooting can influence what you wear.

• If we're going somewhere windy (like the beach or a hilltop), think about whether your outfit will handle the breeze! Long flowy dresses can look magical in the wind, but super short skirts, floaty tops, and hair flying across your face... not so much.

• If it's not windy, a little bit of movement in your clothing can be beautiful — think skirts that twirl, dresses that catch the breeze, or loose shirts with structure.

The key is to feel comfortable and natural. You want to be able to cuddle, move, chase the kids, and have fun without worrying about your outfit.

3. Blend In or Stand Out — It’s Your Choice

Another fun thing to consider: how you want to work with the location.

• If you want to blend in with the setting, choose colours that match or complement the environment.
  (For example, wearing soft blues, whites, and sandy tones at the beach will give a dreamy, natural look.)

• If you want to stand out against the scenery, pick colours that contrast with it.
  (Think a pop of mustard yellow or deep rust against the cool blues of the ocean — stunning!)

Neither is right or wrong — it’s just about the look you love.

If you're not sure, you can even plan for a little bit of both by layering or accessorizing with a pop of colour you can add or remove during the shoot.

4. Think About Where You’ll Hang Your Artwork

Even though I focus on creating beautiful digital images for you, it’s important to think about your end goal.
Where will you display these photos?

If you’re planning to hang your portraits in a particular room, consider:

• The colours of your home decor

• The mood of the space (light and airy? rich and cozy?)

• What tones would look best hanging on that wall

For example, if your living room is filled with soft neutrals and ocean blues, vibrant red outfits might feel out of place. Choosing outfits that complement your home’s style will make your portraits feel like they belong when you print and display them.

Even if you don’t have physical prints in mind yet, keeping the bigger picture (pun intended!) in mind now will help you love your photos even more later.

5. Layers Are Your Friend (Especially for Kids)

Even on sunny days, it can get chilly — especially early mornings or late afternoons when the best light happens. Always bring jackets, cardigans, or cosy wraps for the kids (and yourself!).

A cold, grumpy child is never a happy one, and it’s hard to get those gorgeous, relaxed smiles if they’re freezing. Bonus: layers can also give us extra looks during your shoot without a full outfit change.

6. Add Variety with Clever Accessories

At my last family session with my own kids, I used a simple trick that made a big difference:

We all wore blue and white clothing for the first part of the session. Then, we popped on red coats for the second half. Same base outfits, totally different vibe in the photos!

Think about bringing along:

• Jackets

• Hats & beanies

• Scarves
  These can add colour, texture, and variety without needing a full change of clothes.

7. Final Outfit Tips:

• Comfort comes first. If your kids hate scratchy fabrics or tight waistbands, it will show.

• Shoes matter. They’ll probably be visible! Go for something casual but tidy — think boots, sandals, loafers — and avoid bright, clunky runners unless that’s your family’s true vibe.

• Iron outfits before the shoot. Wrinkles can be hard to hide in photos!

• Coordinate, don’t match. Different tones of the same colours look much more natural than everyone in identical outfits.

• Trust yourself. You know your family. Pick outfits you feel good in — ones that reflect who you are now.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident, and connected to each other.

That’s what makes the magic happen.

If you ever need help picking a palette or putting outfits together, feel free to send me photos of what you’re thinking — I love helping my clients get it just right!