What to Wear for Your Photo Session: A Simple Outfit Guide
I know outfits are usually the number one stress point before a session. I hear it almost every time, whether it's a couple or a full family. So let's make this easy! You don't need a Pinterest board, a matching family uniform, or a crazy shopping spree. You just need a few simple guidelines, and the rest takes care of itself.
1 | Coordinate, don't match
This is the one thing I'll actually ask you to do: coordinate your colours, don't match them exactly. Matching (everyone in the same shade of blue, say) tends to look a little stiff and staged. Coordinating (a shared colour palette, with some variation) looks natural and put together without looking like a uniform. This goes for couples too, you don't need to be in the exact same shade, just a palette that works together.
A simple way to do this: pick two or three colours you like, then let everyone wear some combination of them. Not everyone needs to wear all three, just enough overlap that the group (or the two of you) reads as cohesive, not a colour-blocked lineup.
2 | Stick to a soft, neutral palette
Neutrals, earth tones, soft blues, blush, cream, olive, warm browns — these all photograph beautifully and age well, meaning the photo won't look "dated" in five years because of a trendy colour everyone was wearing that one summer. Save the bold, bright, or neon pieces for another day; they tend to pull focus away from your faces and onto the shirt.
3 | Mix textures and layers
A flat outfit (all one solid colour, all one texture) can feel a little one-note in photos. Adding texture and layers to your outfit is my underrated secret for photos that feel effortless. Think a chunky knit sweater, a flowy dress, a light jacket, or a textured scarf.
4 | Consider your location and feel
Your outfits, your location, and the overall feel you're going for should all belong together. A moody forest backdrop pairs beautifully with deeper, earthy tones and a softer, romantic feel; a bright beach or open field calls for lighter, airier pieces and a more relaxed, candid energy. Formal attire can feel out of place in a wild, overgrown field, just like something too casual might feel off against a polished, editorial backdrop. If you're not sure what fits, just ask — I'm always happy to help match your outfits and vibe to wherever we're shooting.
5 | Skip logos, characters, and busy patterns
Big logos, cartoon characters, and busy patterns (especially on kids' clothes) tend to date a photo fast and distract from the moment itself. The same goes for loud graphic tees or heavily branded pieces on adults. A simple solid, a small subtle print, or a soft stripe will hold up so much better over time than anything trend- or logo-based.
6 | Don't forget shoes
Shoes get forgotten more than anything else — and then someone's in runners while everyone else is barefoot in the grass or in something a little more polished. Quick tip: bare feet, simple sandals, or neutral shoes almost always blend in seamlessly, so you don't have to overthink this one either.
7 | Most importantly: feel like yourselves
At the end of the day, the outfit matters way less than you think it does. I'd always rather you show up comfortable and feeling like yourselves than perfectly coordinated and stiff. The real moments — the laughing, the messy hair, the kid who insisted on wearing their favourite (mismatched) socks, the couple who can't stop cracking each other up — are what make the photos feel like you, not a stock photo.
So keep it simple: coordinate, don't match, pick a soft palette, and then stop thinking about it. I promise it'll come together beautifully.
