What to wear to a family shoot: a photographer's guide
As an experienced lifestyle photographer, I know how important it is for your family photos to feel natural, timeless, and capture your unique personalities. One of the key aspects that can elevate your family photos from good to absolutely epic is what you choose to wear. Your choice of clothing plays a huge role in creating that visually stunning photo, especially when shooting outdoors during golden hour. If you are stressing or overthinking your upcoming photo session, please don't, I've got you completely covered!
Here are my top 8 tips to help you look and feel your best!
Tip 1 - Pick a colour palette
One of the most important decisions is choosing a colour palette for your entire family. This doesn't mean everyone has to wear the same colour, those days are long gone! It simply means you select a range of colours that work well together. For example, if you choose earthy tones, think soft cream, brown, olive green, and muted blue. If you are drawn to warmer tones, consider burnt orange, blush, and mustard.
A cohesive colour scheme creates harmony in the photos, helping the focus stay on the special emotion and beautiful connection between your family rather than any distracting colours. When everyone is coordinated but not identical, it allows for a natural, organic look that feels effortless and not contrived.
Tip 2 - Be comfortable and confident
Comfort is the key! You want to feel confident in what you are wearing, and that starts with choosing clothes that fit well and allow you to move freely. Avoid anything too tight or restrictive, as this can lead to awkward poses or discomfort during the shoot. Keep in mind that I often shoot at sunset, and depending on the time of the year, it may be a bit cooler, so layering can be a great way to stay warm while adding texture and depth to your outfit.
Encourage your children to wear clothing they feel good in, too. If they have a favourite outfit they want to wear, please bring it. We can do some shots in the outfit of your choice and then ones in the outfit they chose. Compromise is the key!
“Family, today’s little moments become tomorrow’s precious memories.”
Tip 3 - avoid matching outfits
Gone are the days when everyone in the family wore matching white shirts and blue jeans for a photo shoot. Instead, I suggest you aim for coordination rather than exact matching. If you're all dressed identically, it can come across as unnatural and can feel forced in the photos.
Instead, I suggest you mix different pieces within your chosen palette. For example, Dad can wear a plain white or pale blue shirt, Mum might wear a flowing floral dress with soft pinks, and the kids wear a mix of neutral or subtle patterns that complement each other without being too uniform.
Tip 4 - say no to loud prints and branding
While fun prints can be very tempting, I recommend avoiding big, loud patterns for a family shoot. Bold patterns can completely dominate the photo and draw attention away from the faces and emotions of and between your family. Subtle patterns or textures, on the other hand, can add interest and variety without being totally distracting.
Also, avoid those on-trend or very fashionable clothing items with large logos or branding. For example, a Nike tick, a sporting team hat, a branded t-shirt or just a big logo can make the photo feel more commercial than a timeless family moment. Fashion can also quickly come and go, which runs the risk of your photos becoming dated in a few short years. Simple, classical and logo-free clothing helps keep the focus where it belongs - on your family!
Tip 5 - textures and layers are your friends
Incorporating different textures and layers adds depth and interest to your photos, especially during a sunset shoot where the light can play beautifully with the fabrics. Think dreamy knits, denim jackets, flowing scarves, soft cardigans, or even a large hat can look amazing. Fabrics such as linen and cotton add texture and dimension. I'm forever a lover of a long flowing dress!
tip 6 - prepare for the golden hour
Because most of my sessions take place at sunset, known as the 'golden hour', it is really important to choose clothing that will work well in that warm, soft, gold light. Warm colour tones such as rust, mustard, cinnamon or muted reds look absolutely beautiful during this time, as do softer pastels and neutral tones. The golden light will flatter these tones, creating a dreamy, sun-kissed effect in your photos.
Darker colours, like deep blue or emerald green, can also look fantastic in the golden hour, especially when balanced with softer hues within the overall family palette.
final thoughts
The most important thing to remember when dressing for a family shoot is to be completely yourselves. The more comfortable and confident you and your family feel in your clothing, the more that relaxed feel will come across in your final photos. With the right palette, coordination, and attention to detail like texture and layering, your family will look naturally stunning during our shoot.
I can't wait to capture those beautiful, candid moments with you! Let's create timeless memories together that you will treasure for years to come.
I hope this guide helps you and your family prepare for the shoot and then allows you to feel at ease during the session. I'm sure if you put a little bit of thought into these tips, the shoot will be fun and will ensure the final result is a stunning collection of photos that you will love and cherish forever.
Ready to book your session? Reach out, and let's make some magic happen!
