Of all the questions I get asked before a family session, this one comes up the most.
What should we wear? And I completely understand why. Getting the whole family
dressed is a logistical undertaking at the best of times. Doing it in a way that will look
good in photographs for the next twenty years adds a layer of pressure that nobody
needs. So let me share what I have learned from doing this for a long time, in all
weathers, across all kinds of families.
The short answer is: wear something you feel like yourself in, in a colour that does not shout.
The longer answer is below.
What to Wear for a Family Photoshoot: Building Your Colour Palette
The most important thing to understand about what to wear for a family photoshoot in
London is that you are not trying to match. You are trying to coordinate. Identical outfits on
every family member look stiff and managed. Completely random choices look chaotic in the
final images. The sweet spot is a palette of three or four colours that work together without
being identical.
A good starting point is to choose one neutral (stone, cream, white, grey, navy, khaki) and one
or two warmer or softer tones (dusty rose, sage green, terracotta, muted blue, warm camel).
These combinations photograph beautifully in natural light, whether we are on Barnes
Common, in Richmond Park, or shooting at home.
Think about the season, too. Autumn calls for richer, warmer tones. Spring and summer work
with lighter, softer colours. Winter can handle deeper, cosier layers. These are not strict rules,
just things worth thinking about when you are standing in front of your wardrobe.
What to Avoid
I want to be direct here, because vague advice does not help anyone.
All white or all black. White blows out in bright outdoor light. Black absorbs it in a way that
flattens and separates the family visually. Neither is impossible, but both require very specific
conditions to work well.
Bright neon or very saturated colours. A neon-orange jumper will pull all the attention in
every frame. The eye goes to the brightest point in an image, and if that is a piece of clothing
rather than a face, the portrait does not work the way you want it to.
Large logos and brand names. These date images quickly and distract from faces. A small
logo is fine. A large branded chest print is not ideal.
Brand-new shoes on children. This sounds very specific, but I see it regularly. Children with
new shoes spend the session looking at their shoes and refusing to walk properly.
Comfortable, worn-in shoes make for more natural movement and happier children.
Too-formal outfits on small children. A toddler in a tiny suit can be very sweet, but if they are
uncomfortable, it shows. Comfort first, always.
Layering for British Weather
London weather deserves its own section, because the single thing that undoes the most
outdoor family sessions is not rain, it is the
14-degrees-and-not-quite-sunny-but-not-actually-cold English non-weather. The kind of
day where you feel slightly cold but look overdressed in a coat.
Layering solves this elegantly. A linen shirt under a light knit, a denim jacket over a dress, a
relaxed blazer over a soft top. Layers add visual interest to photographs anyway, and they
mean you are not committed to one temperature outcome for the day.
I would strongly recommend bringing one extra layer per person, especially for children who
run hot and cold. We can always remove layers mid-session if the sun comes out, but we
cannot add them if they are in the car.
Mum's Outfit: A Few Honest Notes
I want to say something directly here, because it comes up in almost every pre-session
conversation I have with mothers. Most women feel self-conscious in front of a camera,
particularly if they are in a body that has recently grown or birthed a child. The instinct is
often to hide, to choose dark colours and shapeless layers.
My strong suggestion is the opposite. The outfits that look most beautiful in photographs are
usually the ones that are fitted or flowing, not the ones that are concealing. A flowing maxi
dress, well-fitted linen trousers with a relaxed top, a soft wrap dress. These photograph with
movement and light in a way that shapeless layers do not.
You do not need to show skin. You do not need to look a particular way. But choosing an
outfit you genuinely feel good in, rather than one designed to hide, will show in the images.
Confidence photographs better than any colour or cut.
Dressing Newborns and Babies
For very small babies, I tend to prefer soft, simple layers in neutral tones. Cream, white, pale
grey, soft lemon. Big patterns or novelty prints on babies compete with their faces, and the
faces are always what you want to see.
For babies who are sitting up or beginning to walk, something with a little texture works
beautifully: a soft knit, a linen romper, a simple cotton dress. Easy to put on and take off
(because you will need to), and comfortable enough that the baby stays in a good mood.
Barefoot always looks better than socked feet in photographs, if the weather and location
allow.
Seasonal Advice at a Glance
Spring: soft pastels, cream, sage, blush. Layers for the changeable temperature. Wellies as a
backup.
Summer: lighter fabrics, whites and blues work well, loose linens, sundresses. Think about sun
protection for very fair children.
Autumn: rust, camel, forest green, burgundy, warm neutrals. The most naturally photogenic
season for clothing.
Winter: deep navy, grey, cream, forest green. Coats become part of the image rather than a
problem. Lean into it.
Ready to Book?
If you would like to talk through your specific session and I can give you more tailored advice
based on the location and season, I am always happy to chat before you book. You can read
more about how family sessions work on my family photography page, or if you are pregnant
and planning a maternity shoot, the maternity photography page has more detail on timing
and styling.
When you are ready, get in touch here. Getting dressed for a photoshoot should feel like a
pleasure, not a puzzle.
