One of the most common questions I get before any session, family, portrait, beach, fall, Christmas, spring, is some version of: “What should we wear?”
It’s the right question to ask. Outfits have a bigger impact on the final images than most people realize. The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these guidelines and you’ll walk into your session feeling confident, and it’ll show.
Start With a Color Palette, Not a Uniform
The biggest mistake families make is dressing everyone in the exact same outfit or the exact same color. Matching is out. Coordinating is in.
Here’s how to build a palette that works:
Pick one anchor piece first. Start with whoever has the most specific outfit, usually Mom, or whoever has the piece they love most. Pull 2–3 colors from that outfit. Those colors become your family’s palette for the session.
Stick to the rule of 3 colors. Choose a main color, a secondary color, and a neutral. That’s it. Every family member wears some combination of those three. Some may wear the main color, others the secondary, others the neutral, but everything ties together without looking like a costume
Patterns and Texture: Use Them Wisely
Texture is your friend. Linen, knit, denim, floral prints, layered pieces, texture adds depth and dimension to photos and keeps the image from feeling flat. Don’t be afraid of it.
Patterns are fine — in moderation. One person in a subtle stripe or floral looks great. Four people in four different patterns creates visual chaos. If someone is wearing a pattern, keep everyone else in solids that pull from that pattern’s colors.
Session-by-Session Guide
Family & Portrait Sessions Think timeless over trendy. Soft, classic tones, dusty blue, cream, sage, warm white, terracotta, tan — photograph beautifully and won’t feel dated in five years. Layer when you can: a denim jacket over a dress, a cardigan, a scarf. Kids look great in textures like knit or linen.
Fall Sessions Fall is made for warm, rich tones — rust, burgundy, olive, camel, mustard, cream. Lean into cozy layers: sweaters, flannels, boots. This is the one season where slightly deeper tones really sing in photos. Avoid anything too bright or neon — it fights with the fall foliage instead of complementing it.
Spring Sessions Spring calls for soft, fresh, airy palettes. Blush, lavender, sage, soft yellow, light blue, white. Flowy fabrics and lighter layers work perfectly. Think garden party — relaxed but put-together.
Beach Sessions Keep it relaxed and coastal. Cream, white, sand, soft blue, chambray, coral — these tones complement the water and sky naturally. Flowy dresses, linen shirts, and bare feet photograph beautifully on the shore. Avoid anything too stiff or formal; beach sessions are meant to feel easy.
Christmas & Holiday Sessions Holiday sessions don’t have to mean red and green. Deep jewel tones, burgundy, forest green, navy, plum — feel festive and elevated without being costumey. Cream, ivory, and blush are beautiful too. Velvet, cozy knits, and layered pieces add a warm, luxurious feel. Save the ugly sweaters for the family party.
Things to Skip — No Matter the Session
- Everyone in the same outfit. It reads more like a uniform than a family. Coordinate, don’t match.
- Giant logos or graphics. They pull focus away from faces and tend to feel dated quickly.
- Neon or overly saturated colors. They can cast color onto skin and tend to overpower everything in the frame.
- Everyone in a busy pattern. One statement pattern is fine. Everyone in a different pattern is a lot.
- Brand new clothes on kids. If they’ve never worn it before, they’ll be uncomfortable — and it’ll show. When possible, put kids in something they’ve already broken in.
When in Doubt, Simplify
If you’re standing in your closet feeling overwhelmed, take a breath and go back to basics. A simple, well-coordinated palette in clean, comfortable clothing will always photograph beautifully. You don’t need a stylist or a shopping trip — you just need a plan.
And if you want help? I’m always happy to look over outfit ideas before your session. Just ask.
