What to Wear Guide
5 Tips for a Timeless Family Session
One of the most frequent questions I get after a client books a session is: “What should we wear?!” I completely understand the pressure. You’re investing in professional portraits, and you want everyone to look their best without looking like you’re trying too hard. The good news? You don’t need to buy a whole new designer wardrobe to look incredible.
Here are my top five tips for styling your family for a session that feels authentic, cohesive, and timeless.
1. Coordinate, Don’t Match
Gone are the days of everyone wearing identical white t-shirts and jeans. Instead, aim for a cohesive color palette. Think of a "family" of colors—like earth tones (rust, mustard, and sage) or soft neutrals (cream, tan, and slate blue). When you coordinate rather than match, it allows each family member’s personality to shine through while still looking like you belong together.
2. Start with One "Statement" Piece
If you’re feeling stuck, pick one person’s outfit first—usually Mom’s or the eldest daughter’s. Find a dress with a subtle pattern or a color you love, and then pull colors from that piece to dress everyone else. If Mom is in a floral midi dress with hints of blue and cream, Dad can wear a blue linen shirt and the kids can be in cream-colored knits.
3. Texture is Your Best Friend
Since I love a clean, "modern chic" aesthetic, I always recommend using texture to add depth to your photos instead of heavy patterns. Think:
Chunky knits
Linen fabrics
Waffle prints or denim
Flowy skirts Texture adds a high-end, professional feel to the images and looks beautiful in both outdoor light and the soft light of an in-home session.
4. Comfort is Key (Especially for the Kids!)
If your toddler is itchy in their lace collar or your husband feels stiff in a starched button-down, it will show on their faces. Choose soft, breathable fabrics. For kids, make sure their shoes are comfortable (or better yet, go barefoot for in-home sessions!). When you feel comfortable, you move more naturally, which leads to those genuine, candid laughs I love to capture.
5. Mind the Feet
Don't let the shoes be an afterthought! Avoid bright neon sneakers or shoes with large logos, as they tend to draw the eye away from your faces. Neutral leather boots, simple loafers, or even clean, classic sneakers work best. For in-home newborn sessions, I actually recommend going without shoes for a cozy, intimate vibe.
Pro Tip: Lay all the outfits out on your bed a few days before the session. Take a photo and look at it on your phone—if one piece jumps out at you more than the others, you might want to swap it for something more neutral!
Still feeling stuck? When you book a session with me, I will send you a complete color guide on clothing options that stay within am ideal color scheme for the whole family.
