Before you even think about what everyone should wear, consider how you'll use these portraits.

Where will they live?

• Hanging on a wall in your living room, bedroom, or entryway?
• In a printed album?
• In a luxe folio box?
• At your vacation home?
• Digital only for social media?

What's your home's color palette? Look at your walls, furniture, and accent colors.

Your clothing should work with your décor and your intended use. A portrait for your family home wall needs to coordinate with that space. An album tells a different story and works with different styling. A folio box is more intimate and personal.

You don't need your outfits to match your walls perfectly. But if your living room has warm neutrals and teal accents, neon clothing is going to feel out of place. Think about what feels cohesive in your space.

Matchy-matchy is out—unless that's genuinely your family's vibe. Instead, aim for cohesion with personality.

What Works:

Complementary Colors Choose colors that naturally work together. Think rust and cream, navy and mustard, sage and charcoal. These combinations feel intentional without being rigid.

Same Color, Different Shades & Textures Everyone in the same color family but varying the intensity and texture creates visual interest. Try light grey linen, dark grey knit, and charcoal with embellishments. All coordinated, all different.

Mixed Pieces One person in a dress, another in slacks, another in a jumpsuit—all in complementary tones. This lets everyone express their personal style while staying unified.

Texture Layering Denim with a flowy blouse, a structured jacket with soft pants, leather with knit. Varying textures adds depth to photos.

All Black + Variety All black can work beautifully—but vary the textures to avoid looking like you're heading to a funeral. Mix matte fabrics, leather, sequins, knit, and satin. The texture variation is what makes it feel intentional.

What to Avoid:

• Jeans + white t-shirts (too casual, dates quickly)
• Loud logos or busy patterns that distract from faces
• Bright neon colors
• Clashing prints (stripes + polka dots rarely harmonize) – although when done right, they can work well, but be sure to talk to your photographer first.
• Everyone in identical outfits (boring and doesn't reflect personalities)

Choose breathable fabrics—you'll likely be outdoors or under studio lights, and comfort matters. If you're uncomfortable, it shows in your face.

Iron everything before the session. Photos catch every wrinkle.

Consider the season when choosing fabrics. Heavy knits in summer feel wrong; lightweight layers work better in winter.

Heat and humidity can affect makeup and hair, so plan for touch-ups if shooting outdoors in warm months. Cooler seasons allow more fabric options and are generally more forgiving.

Talk with your photographer about your session goals and the best time of day for your location and setup. Different locations and different visions require different timing. Your photographer will work around scheduling constraints while choosing the best light for what you want to create.

Blankets or throws add coziness, especially for younger children or outdoor shoots.

Let kids hold a favorite stuffed animal or toy. It keeps them engaged and adds personality to the photos.

Keep jewelry simple and non-distracting. You want people looking at faces, not at shiny things.

Clean, intentional styling works best—not overdone, just polished. Hair should be out of faces unless that's part of your aesthetic.

Makeup for photos looks more polished than everyday makeup. Even minimal makeup photographs better than none.

Pro Tip: If your photographer doesn't include hair and makeup guidance as part of their service, check out our links to hire a professional hair and makeup stylist.

Give kids a choice from pre-selected options. Let them pick between 2-3 outfits you've curated so they feel heard while you maintain creative control.

When kids feel good about what they're wearing, they cooperate better and smile more naturally.

Avoid character t-shirts or graphics that date quickly in photos.

Layers work great for kids—cardigans over dresses, button-ups over plain shirts. They add visual interest and let you adjust for temperature changes.

Comfort is everything. Uncomfortable kids = unhappy photos. Period.

If you're unsure about your outfit choices, ask your photographer for a quick phone preview before the session. Most photographers are happy to give feedback and help you feel confident.

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