EPISODE 2 - Dressed for the Moment - 24/06/25

What to Wear to Your Family Photoshoot: A Photographer’s Guide

Figuring out what to wear for your family photoshoot can feel like half the battle — but it doesn’t have to. The right outfit choices can elevate your photos, bring a sense of harmony to your gallery, and even help you feel more relaxed and confident on the day.

Here’s my go-to advice for choosing what to wear — plus a few seasonal style tips and colour combos that photograph beautifully.

Stick to Neutrals and Earthy Tones

Neutral colours — like beige, cream, soft grey, olive, dusty pinks and denim — never go out of style. They photograph well, don’t distract from your faces or expressions, and work beautifully with natural light.

Avoid loud logos, neon colours, or overly busy patterns. These can clash with the environment or distract from the moment we’re trying to capture.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

Instead of everyone wearing identical outfits (think: all in white shirts and jeans circa 2005 😅), aim for coordinated tones and textures. Pick a loose colour palette of 3–4 complementary colours and build everyone’s outfit around that.

For example:
• Soft palette: oatmeal, sage, muted blush, denim
• Warm palette: rust, cream, tan, soft mustard
• Cool palette: navy, grey-blue, soft white, forest green

Mix textures too — denim, cotton, linen, knits — it adds visual interest without overpowering the shot.

Dress for the Season

Each season offers its own vibe and lighting, so it helps to dress accordingly:

Spring 🌿
• Soft pastels, florals, light layers
• Linen dresses, button-ups, cardigans

Summer ☀️
• Light fabrics, flowy dresses, bare feet for beach sessions
• Warm-toned neutrals like sand, rust, or terracotta work beautifully in golden hour

Autumn 🍂
• Earthy tones: burnt orange, olive, cream, mustard
• Layers like knits, scarves, and boots photograph well and add depth

Winter ❄️
• Deep tones like burgundy, charcoal, navy
• Wool coats, knits, and boots can look amazing — just avoid being too bulky

Comfort = Confidence

The best thing you can wear? Something that makes you feel like you. If your kids are tugging at scratchy jumpers or you’re adjusting a too-tight dress all session — it shows.

Choose clothes that feel good, fit well, and allow you to move and interact naturally. The more comfortable you feel, the more relaxed and genuine the photos will be.

A Quick Checklist Before Your Shoot:

  • Lay everything out the day before

  • Do a quick test fit (especially for kids!)

  • Iron or steam anything that creases easily

  • Bring a backup outfit for little ones, just in case

Need a Hand Planning Outfits?

If you’re ever unsure, I’m more than happy to help you pick colours and styles that suit your shoot location and vibe. You can even send me photos of your outfit options — we’ll make it easy.

📸 Your photos should feel like you — just with a little extra magic