What to Wear for Your Family Photos

A Style Guide from Our Studio

Your photos are timeless memories, and what you wear plays a big part in how they turn out. Our studio features three unique photo areas, and you'll have the chance to be photographed in two of them (Scroll to see the areas). This guide will help you coordinate outfits that photograph beautifully in each space.

A great starting point is for mom to choose her outfit first, then build the rest of the family’s looks around hers. Aim to coordinate colors and styles rather than match exactly.

It’s All in the Details

When it comes to portraits, the little things can make a big difference. These sessions capture your family in a way you’ll treasure forever, so take a little extra time to prep and polish. Here are some key things to check off:

  • Hair & Grooming

    Make sure everyone’s hair is brushed, styled, or trimmed as needed. For little ones, a quick spritz of water and comb-through can go a long way.

  • Nails Count Too

    Trim and clean all nails! yes, even tiny toddler toes! Neutral or natural polish works best if you're painting them.

  • Light Makeup Encouraged

    If you wear makeup, keep it soft and photo-friendly. Think: fresh, not heavy. The goal is to enhance, not mask.

  • Don’t Forget the Accessories

    Add subtle touches, earrings, a watch, or a delicate bracelet can pull a look together. Just keep it minimal to avoid distractions.

  • Clothing That Feels You

    Comfort = confidence. Wear something that fits well and makes you feel beautiful and relaxed. If you’re tugging at a sleeve or adjusting a belt constantly, it might not be the right outfit.

  • Yes, Even the Socks

    Some of our session areas require no shoes, so make sure socks are clean and coordinated with your outfit, no bright cartoon characters unless that’s the look you’re going for!

  • Wrinkle-Free Wins

    Iron or steam your clothes the night before. Wrinkles can be distracting in close-up shots. In a pinch, throwing your clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes works wonders on wrinkles!

  • Mind the Fit

    Avoid clothes that are too tight or too loose, tailored or well-fitting outfits always photograph better.

  • Avoid Distracting Logos or Prints

    Keep the focus on your faces and connection. Bold logos or busy patterns can take away from that.

  • Backup Options

    If you’re unsure, bring a backup outfit or two, especially for kids. Accidents happen!

  • Pockets Check

    Empty out phones, keys, and wallets before the session. Bulky pockets can ruin clean lines in photos.

  1. Backlit Area (Bright & Airy)

This space is soft, light-filled, and dreamy. It's perfect for tender family moments and close-ups.

All colors work well here. The best outfits for this area are usually bright and colorful patterns for mom and a simple shirt and pants for dad.

A woman with braids and large earrings holding a newborn baby wrapped in a beige blanket, both touching foreheads in a tender moment.
A mother and father tenderly holding their newborn baby, with their foreheads touching and eyes closed, creating an intimate and loving scene.
A woman with braided hair and large earrings holding a sleeping baby wrapped in a beige blanket, both facing each other against a white background.
Family of six gathered in a close, intimate moment with a newborn baby, all looking lovingly at the infant and each other, in a well-lit setting.
Black and white photo of a family with a mother, father, and newborn baby facing each other with foreheads touching.
A woman holding a newborn baby close, gently touching noses in a tender moment.
A family of three, a woman, a man, and a newborn baby, holding the baby close to their faces with foreheads touching, in a bright, white background.
A family of four, including a woman wearing a floral hijab, a man with a beard, a young girl, and a young boy, are touching foreheads and smiling at each other.

2. Lifestyle Bed Area (Cozy, Neutral)

Our bed setup has recently changed to accomodate more outfit options and has a brighter feel to it. The best looks usually involve mom in a flowy midi/maxi dress in the color palette below

Best Colors:

  • Warm neutrals: oatmeal, caramel, cream, clay, soft browns

  • Olive, rust, terracotta, and muted greens or oranges

  • Soft patterns like small florals or gentle stripes can work well

Wardrobe Ideas:

  • For moms: flowy maxi dresses, chunky knits, cozy wraps

  • For dads: neutral henleys, waffle shirts, casual soft sweaters

  • For kids: simple rompers, knits, or soft textures in earthy tones

Texture Tips:

  • Linen, cotton, lace, and gauze fabrics look beautiful here.

  • Flowy dresses, layered textures, or knits add depth.

Color palette with eight circles in dark brown, olive green, rusty red, burnt orange, maroon, grayish olive, dark purple, and white.
A cozy bedroom corner with a bed covered in cream bedding, beige throw blanket, and multiple pillows, beside a window with sheer white curtains and a vase of pink flowers on a nightstand, on a woven jute rug.
A neatly made bed with cream-colored bedding and multiple pillows, a small bouquet of pink flowers on a bedside table, and a photography umbrella on the right side, in a bright, softly lit bedroom with white walls.
A woman sitting on a bed holding a newborn baby. The woman has dark hair and is wearing a brown dress. The bed has white bedding and decorative pillows, with a beige woven rug on the floor. There is a white wall with a cream-colored wall hanging behind her.
A woman with dark hair lying on a bed next to a sleeping baby.
A woman wearing a floral hijab and light blue shirt lovingly holding a young girl with dark hair styled in two buns, in a bedroom setting.
A happy multiethnic family sitting on a bed, smiling, with young children. The mother is wearing a pastel hijab, the father has a beard, and the children are a girl and a boy.
A happy, bearded man with two young children sitting on the floor in a cozy room, smiling and hugging. The boy has curly hair and is sticking out his tongue. The girl has curly hair and is holding a wooden rattle.
A smiling man and young boy sitting together in a cozy bedroom, with the man kneeling on the floor and the boy sitting on a small woven stool, surrounded by neutral-colored bedding and decor.
A woman in a hijab and blue dress playing and laughing with a young boy on a bed in a cozy, simply decorated bedroom.
Three young girls sitting closely together on a couch, smiling and hugging, with one wearing a flower crown, surrounded by decorative pillows.
A family of five sitting on a bed, including a man, woman, two young girls, and a newborn baby in the woman's arms.
A woman in a white dress holding a sleeping baby wrapped in a blanket, sitting on a bed with multiple pillows.
A woman in a white dress holding a sleeping baby wrapped in a white blanket and wearing a white knit hat with orange pom-poms, sitting on a bed in a softly decorated room.
Smiling family of five sitting on a bed, including an elderly woman, a young girl, a man, a woman, and a newborn baby.
A young woman wearing a blue headscarf and patterned dress holding a sleeping newborn wrapped in white swaddle, sitting next to a smiling man in a red polo shirt. They are in a cozy bedroom setting with white linen bedding and a basket of flowers in the background.
Family of five with five children gathered on a bed, smiling. The father holds a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket. The mother has a blue headscarf, and the children range in age, all smiling warmly.
Woman wearing a blue hijab and patterned blouse holding a newborn wrapped in white blanket, gently kissing the baby's cheek.

Not sure what to wear? Here are some linked Amazon options with fast prime shipping*:

For mom:

A woman wearing a long, beige, bohemian-style maxi dress with long sleeves and a V-neck, holding a tan clutch purse.
A woman in a long, light-colored dress with short, ruffled sleeves and a bow detail at the chest, holding a large straw sunhat, wearing strappy sandals, smiling.
A woman wearing a long, green maxi dress with ruffled shoulder straps and cutouts at the waist, standing against a white background.
A woman wearing a long, olive green dress with ruffle details on the sleeves, waistline, and layered skirt, paired with tan high-heeled sandals.
Woman wearing an off-the-shoulder, rust-colored, maxi dress with ruffled neckline and sheer fabric, accessorized with pink earrings and layered necklaces.
A woman wearing a light blue, knee-length dress with puffed sleeves and a gathered bodice, standing against a white background.
A woman in a long green floral dress with puffed long sleeves standing on a dry grassy field.
A woman in a long, velvet, rust-colored dress standing on stairs outside a building, holding a white clutch purse, with a decorative black door and signs in the background.
Pregnant woman in a long, off-the-shoulder brown dress, gently holding her belly.
Woman wearing a pink, polka dot, midi dress with puffed sleeves and a waist tie, holding a wide-brimmed straw hat, wearing white lace-up high heels, standing against a plain background.
Close-up of a man wearing a brown polo shirt and white pants, with his left hand in his pocket.

For dad:

A man wearing a light beige, long-sleeved, collared linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and white pants. He has a beaded necklace and bracelet, with his hands in his pockets.
A man wearing a brown, textured short-sleeve polo shirt with a collar, and dark blue pants.
A man wearing a short-sleeve dark gray button-up shirt with a chest pocket, standing with one hand in his pocket and wearing a watch and bracelets.
A short-sleeved, button-up, collared shirt with beige and white vertical stripes, featuring a chest pocket, displayed on a plain white background.
A man wearing a beige, short-sleeved, button-up knitted shirt, white pants, a beaded necklace, and a bracelet, with tattoos on his arms.
Close-up of a man wearing a light green short-sleeve button-up shirt with rolled cuffs and white pants.

For kids:

Cream-colored children's short-sleeve button-up shirt with a collar and matching shorts, both featuring a textured knit pattern.
Blue and white striped girl's dress with puffed short sleeves and tiered ruffled skirt.
Cream-colored knitted baby romper with cable and diamond patterns, shoulder straps with buttons, and wooden buttons at the bottom.
A brown, knitted sleeveless baby romper with two buttons at the chest and snap buttons along the inside of the legs.
White vintage-style toddler dress with lace details and puffed sleeves.
Light green sleeveless romper with vertical stripes, wooden buttons, and front pockets.
White sleeveless dress with yellow and green floral pattern and wooden buttons down the front.
Pink girl's dress with adjustable shoulder straps and tiered pleated skirt.
Green knitted baby bodysuit with long sleeves and buttons at the bottom.
Light green dress with ruffled short sleeves and a bow at the neckline.
Beige and white checkered tank top with ruffled hem and matching wide-leg pants.

3. Paper Backdrops (White, Brown, Dark Gray)

These create a classic, editorial look. Each backdrop has its own personality:

White Backdrop – Clean, crisp, and modern

  • Wear medium-toned neutrals for contrast (gray, camel, dusty blue)

  • Avoid pure white tops unless layering with texture

Brown Backdrop – Warm and earthy

  • Think rich tones: rust, olive, tan, mustard, denim

  • Works well with layered textures like knits and corduroy

Dark Gray Backdrop – Moody and dramatic

  • Deep, rich colors shine: charcoal, navy, forest green, burgundy

  • Great for black outfits, or adding contrast with soft neutrals

Four rolls of colored poster paper (black, brown, white, and dark gray) hanging vertically along a wall with a window and blinds, with three colorful measuring tapes with black ends hanging next to the rolls.
A woman holding a sleeping baby with a headband, both dressed in white, against a plain dark background.
Family portrait of seven people, including a baby, posing against a plain white background. The family members are smiling and dressed in white, blue, and neutral-colored clothing.
A woman in a white dress gently holds a newborn baby wrapped in a white blanket, with their noses touching and eyes closed, against a brown background.
Smiling man holding young girl in white dress against brown background
A happy multicultural family sitting on a bench, with the mother wearing a hijab and the father smiling, along with their young children. The mother is holding a little girl in a cream dress, and a boy is sitting on the father's lap, wearing a striped shirt and shorts, smiling.

Can’t wait to capture your family photos 🌟

If you have any questions before the session, just reach out. I’m here to help make it a joyful, stress-free experience.

*Please note: These are affiliate links from Amazon. You won’t be charged anything extra.