One of the most common questions I receive before a family session is: “What should we wear?” And I understand the weight behind that question—you want to look like yourselves while also creating images that feel timeless and beautiful. The truth is, what you wear matters less than how you feel in it. But I also know that starting with some guidance can help ease the anxiety that often comes with photo session planning.

So let’s talk about creating a wardrobe approach that honors your family’s unique style while photographing beautifully.

The Foundation: Confidence Over Trends

Here’s what I tell every family I work with: wear what makes you feel like the best version of yourselves. Not a costume version. Not who you think you should be. Just you, at your most comfortable and confident.

When you feel good in your clothes, it shows. Your shoulders relax. Your smiles come easier. You’re able to be present with your people instead of worried about how you look. And that presence? That’s what creates meaningful photographs.

Colors That Photograph Beautifully

While I encourage you to stay true to your style, certain color palettes do photograph particularly well—especially in the natural settings where we often shoot here in Western PA.

Colors That Always Work:

• Soft neutrals: cream, warm whites, soft grays, beige
• Earthy tones: rust, terracotta, olive green, mustard yellow
• Rich jewel tones: deep blues, emerald green, burgundy
• Classic foundations: navy, black, well-loved denim

Colors to Approach Thoughtfully:

• Neon or overly bright colors can cast unflattering light on skin
• Very small patterns or tight stripes can be distracting in photos
• Large logos or text (unless they’re meaningful to your family story)
• All-white outfits can sometimes wash out in certain lighting

That said, rules are made to be bent. If your daughter lives in her bright pink tutu and feels most herself in it, we’ll make it work beautifully. Authenticity always trumps “rules.”

The Art of Coordination (Not Matching)

Gone are the days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and khakis. Instead, think about coordination—creating a cohesive look while allowing each family member’s personality to shine.

Try This Approach:

1. Start with one person’s outfit (often the hardest to dress—looking at you, teenagers)
2. Build around those colors, pulling 2-3 main tones
3. Mix and match those tones across family members
4. Add variety through different textures and tones within the same color family

For example: Mom in a rust-colored dress, Dad in cream with olive green pants, one child in mustard with denim, another in soft cream with rust details. The colors all speak to each other without being matchy.

Texture and Layers: Visual Interest Without Trying Too Hard

Some of my favorite family photos happen when we play with texture. Think cozy knits paired with flowing fabrics. Structured pieces balanced with something soft. Denim as a grounding element.

Layers also give us options during the session—cardigans can come on and off, scarves can be added for variety, jackets can be worn or carried. Plus, layers often feel more natural, more like how we actually live our lives.

By Season: Dressing for Western PA Weather

Living in Western PA means we experience all four seasons in their full glory (and sometimes all in one week). Here’s how to think about wardrobe by season:

Spring: Lighter layers, soft colors that complement fresh greens and blooming flowers. Think flowing fabrics that move with you.

Summer: Comfortable pieces you can move in. Evening sessions mean you can wear slightly warmer tones without overheating. Bare legs and arms photograph beautifully in golden hour light.

Fall: This is texture season! Cozy knits, boots, scarves. Those rich jewel tones and earthy colors really shine against autumn foliage.

Winter: Don’t shy away from winter sessions! Layered outfits with coats, warm accessories, and rich colors create intimate, cozy images. Indoor sessions offer even more flexibility.

For the Little Ones: Comfort Is King

With children (especially young ones), comfort should be your north star. Yes, that smocked dress is adorable, but if your toddler can’t move freely in it, you’ll spend the session managing wardrobe instead of enjoying your family.

Some practical tips for kids:

• Bring backup outfits for the unpredictable moments
• Choose clothes they can move, sit, and play in
• Consider their favorite colors—kids who feel involved often cooperate better
• Break-in new shoes before the session (or bring comfortable backup options)
• Pack small snacks and comfort items

Remember: some of the most beautiful family photos include scraped knees, messy hair, and the chaos of real childhood. We’re not aiming for catalog perfection—we’re preserving your life as it actually is.

When You’re Still Unsure: Bring Options

One of the best approaches? Bring 2-3 outfit options for each family member. We can look at them together in the location’s lighting and decide what feels right. Sometimes seeing the options in the space where we’ll be photographing makes the decision obvious.

This also takes the pressure off making the “perfect” choice at home and gives us flexibility during the session.

What to Avoid (And Why)

A few things to genuinely reconsider:

• Clothes that don’t fit well (too tight, too loose, constantly need adjusting)
• Brand new shoes that haven’t been broken in
• Anything that makes anyone uncomfortable or self-conscious
• Outfits that are so formal they don’t reflect your actual family dynamic
• Anything you’d be upset about if it got dirty (because we might get a little dirty, and that’s okay)

The Shoes Question

Shoes are often an afterthought, but they do appear in many photos. Here’s my guidance:

• Choose comfortable shoes you can walk and move in
• Boots almost always photograph well
• Barefoot for indoor or beach sessions creates an intimate feel
• Kids in particular should wear shoes they can actually run and play in

And yes, you can change shoes partway through if you want both a dressy look and a casual look.

Accessories: The Finishing Touches

Thoughtful accessories can add personality and polish:

• Hats (when they suit your style)
• Scarves for texture and warmth
• Meaningful jewelry that tells part of your story
• Glasses if you normally wear them (you should look like you!)
• Hair accessories for kids that they’ll actually keep in

Keep accessories simple enough that they don’t overwhelm, but personal enough that they feel like you.

A Word on Hair and Makeup

For adults, consider going slightly more polished than your everyday look—photos tend to soften things a bit. But this doesn’t mean a full face of makeup if that’s not your style.

The goal is to look like yourself on a really good day. Fresh, rested, put-together, but still recognizably you.

For hair, I always recommend styling it a day or two before major changes (cuts, color, etc.). This gives you time to adjust and ensures you’re comfortable with how it looks.

The Week Before: Practical Steps

As your session approaches:

1. Try on all outfits to ensure proper fit and comfort
2. Steam or iron anything wrinkled
3. Break in any new shoes
4. Consider professional pressing for dressy pieces
5. Have a backup plan (weather-appropriate alternatives for outdoor sessions)
6. Take a photo of everyone’s outfit together to see how they coordinate

Remember: This Is About More Than Clothes

At the end of the day, what you wear is just one small element of your family photos. What matters infinitely more is the connection between you, the laughter you share, the way you look at each other when you think no one’s watching.

I’ve photographed families in designer outfits and families in their everyday jeans and t-shirts. The most beautiful images always come from the families who show up as themselves, comfortable in their own skin, ready to be present with each other.

So yes, put thought into what you wear. Coordinate colors and consider the practical elements. But don’t let wardrobe stress overshadow the real purpose of our time together: documenting your family’s story, exactly as it is right now.

Because the truth is, twenty years from now when you look at these images, you probably won’t remember what anyone wore. You’ll remember how it felt to be together, fully present, caught in the small moments that make your family uniquely yours.

And that’s the real beauty we’re after!

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Ready to plan your family session? I’d love to help you think through the details—including what to wear—so you can show up feeling confident and excited. Let’s start the conversation.