One question clients regularly ask before their photo session is “What should we wear?” I may not be the most fashionable person in the world, but I do know what looks good in photographs.

I think the two most important pieces of advice are to choose a color palette so that the outfits complement one another but don’t actually match and to choose clothing you’re comfortable in.

I like to start by choosing one outfit (usually mine since I’m the pickiest) and then build the rest of the family wardrobe from there.

There is no one “right” outfit or set of outfits, but here are some general Dos and Don’ts to ensure your clothing supports the beauty of the photo rather than distracting from it. 

Do coordinate your colors rather than matching them. Remember when the “in” thing to do was dressing in jeans and white t-shirts? Now, you want to pick colors that will complement one another so that your photos are visually appealing. Start with a color palette so you know that as long as you choose colors within that scheme, you will all look good together. 

And speaking of white t-shirts, don’t wear a lot of white. A little bit of white or cream in a picture can look nice, but the eye naturally goes to the brightest part of an image. If everyone is in white, or even several people are in white, the focus will be on the clothing instead of what you want – you! On that note, avoid very bright colors in general.

Do keep it simple. While one or two patterns can add visual interest, too many patterns look busy. Avoid t-shirts with large logos or graphics. You don’t want your outfit (or too many chunky accessories) to be the most memorable thing about your pictures.

Do dress for the setting and the weather. Think about what the scenery is going to look like. You don’t want to blend in or clash with your surroundings. Choosing light, breezy clothing for your fall shoot in the woods isn’t a good fit, but wearing a flowy sundress on the beach would be perfect. Also consider the temperature. If you’re hot or cold during the session – or worse, if your toddler is hot or cold – it’s less likely that you’ll appear happy in your photos.

Do choose a “dressiness” level for everyone. There’s nothing worse than having all the ladies in pretty dresses and then your brother shows up in cargo shorts and old tennis shoes. 

Do ask your photographer for advice! All photographers want their clients to be happy with their pictures. It would be terrible to be disappointed with your photos because of a poor outfit choice. If you’re making the investment in professional family portraits, invest the time to put together a well-styled look. Everything doesn’t have to be new; shop your closet!
I’ve had plenty of clients send me photos or links to outfits to get my feedback. I can offer you advice, but do remember that, ultimately, these pictures are going to be in your home, on your walls. Your opinion is the one that matters the most!