What to Wear
for Family Photos

I always tell moms to find an outfit they love and feel great in, then build everyone else around her. You don't have to match — you just need to complement each other. Instead of picking a color palette first and then hunting for outfits to fit it, find the outfit you love and let your color scheme come from that.

Once you have that anchor piece — especially if it has a pattern or multiple colors — you'll be surprised how easily everything else falls into place.

Adding fun textures, layers, and accessories makes your photos so much more interesting. A mix of solids and patterns keeps things visually balanced — one statement pattern with several solids around it is a classic combo that always looks amazing.

Don't be afraid of color contrast either. Different tones of the same color family — like varying shades of blue or rust — add depth without looking chaotic.

I always suggest pulling together a couple of options so you have something to work with. Whatever you don't use, you can return. And whether your outfits are brand new or something you already own — don't wear them until the day of pictures. Things happen.

Also, feel free to send me photos of what you're thinking before the session! I love seeing outfit choices ahead of time and giving feedback on what could make them even better.

The setting of your session matters more than people realize. Light, airy pastels look stunning in a summery green field. Rich earth tones are made for the mountains in fall. Crisp whites and neutrals shine on the beach. Think about where you're shooting and let that inspire the palette.

Watch the weather in the days leading up to your session. If it's going to be chilly or windy, make sure the kids are warm enough — unhappy, shivering kids don't make for great photos. Also, I love shooting in the evening around golden hour, so the lighting will be warm and beautiful no matter what you wear.

This one is so important and so easy to skip. Try every single outfit on every single person before session day — especially if you shopped in advance. Sizes change, kids grow, and something that looked great on the hanger might not work the way you imagined. Don't assume anything will fit until you've actually tried it on.

Have clothes laid out and ready to go the day before your session so you're not rushing or stressed the morning of. Steam or iron out any wrinkles — yes, even the kids' outfits. It makes a bigger difference than you'd think. Wrinkle-free clothes just photograph better, and it signals to everyone that this is a special occasion worth showing up to.

Logos are distracting in photos and pull the eye away from the faces and the feeling. Neon colors are tricky because they can cast onto skin, giving off an unnatural tint that's hard to edit out. Stick to warmer tones, neutrals, earth tones, or muted jewel tones — they photograph beautifully and age really well in prints.

If you're planning on printing a large canvas for your living room wall (which you totally should), you can even base your outfit colors off the tones in that room. Warm neutrals look beautiful in most home décor, and earthy tones tend to print and display incredibly well over time.

This is the tip that matters most. Don't force your family into outfits nobody feels comfortable in — it will show in the photos. The goal is for everyone to feel happy, confident, and like themselves. All of these tips are just suggestions to help you get there.

At the end of the day, the only person who needs to love it is you. So be yourself, have fun with it, and reach out any time if you want a second opinion. I am always happy to help!