Fall is in the air and that means it's family photo season! Everyone is out to get that perfect shot for their Christmas card or just a new set of images for their gallery wall to capture those quickly growing kiddos before they change again right before our eyes.

A joyful outdoor moment captured in natural lighting against a green background.

One thing most of my families ask is "what should we wear?!"


After several years of photographing hundreds of families, I'm pretty good at giving guidance at what looks good for photos, and I am happy to share that advice. Clothing is not THE most important thing about a family session (YOU ARE), but it definitely can make or break the vibe and overall look of your photos.


Because you're making an investment, I believe it's worth spending some time putting together your outfits for your session, and it actually doesn't have to be complicated or expensive!


Here are my top tips for wardrobe when it comes to photo sessions:


  1. Be yourself! Wear something that is genuinely "you," not something you see on Instagram or Pinterest. What makes you feel confident and beautiful?! Wear that. If your daughter hates dresses, don't force her to wear a dress. If your son hates jeans, don't put him in jeans. You can wear nice, clean, comfortable outfits that still fit your style.
Children jumping on bed while playing in colorfully decorated bedroom.


2. Coordinate, don't match. Choose a color palette of complimentary colors, not just one color for your entire family. You can add texture with lace, pointelle, waffle knit, or accessories like a necklace, hat, or scarf, but don't go overboard. The best images are the ones where the focus is on the people, not the outfits. Clean, well-put together wardrobes of earthy, muted tones always look great and timeless. My general rule of thumb is to have one pattern for every three people in your session. A pattern could be floral, stripes (stay away from teeny tiny ones), or flannel.

A cheerful family moment captured outdoors in natural lighting.

3. Stay away from graphics and bright, fluorescent colors. Please, don't let your kids wear those athletic shirts that are bright neon orange or yellow. What that means is that your kids face will be bright neon orange or yellow. Graphics tend to go out of style so I suggest staying away from them. 

A playful family moment with lifted baby against white background.

4. Make sure the clothing you choose fits. I get it. Kids grow fast and you want to get the most out of each clothing item. But this isn't the time. It does not look good when kid's clothing is baggy or rolled up to fit. 

Family walking together hand in hand on a beach at sunset.

5. This is your time to shine if you are a mom! My suggestion is to choose your outfit first - whatever you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in - and then plan the rest of the family's outfits around yours! If you love dresses, that is a great option. If you feel amazing in jeans and a cute top, go that route!

A romantic winter moment on snowy rocky beach at dusk.

6. Dress in layers. The same rule that applies to my kids forest school applies to your family photo session. Layers are great because if you or your kids get warm, you can just remove a layer. If you feel chilly towards the end of the session when the sun is going down, you can put that layer back on.

Two children lying together on a patterned blanket with one giving the other a sweet kiss.

7. Don't forget shoes and accessories! I advise staying away from athletic shoes or anything that would be difficult or uncomfortable to walk in. Accessories like headbands or jewelry can also add a pop of color or texture.


Here is a Pinterest board with some ideas and inspiration for wardrobe and color palettes. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need more guidance!