The one question I get from almost every client is “What should we wear to our family photo session?”. I’m always glad when people ask this, because there are a few guidelines I suggest to keep the focus on you, and not your clothes. Coordinating your outfits with the guidelines below will help to create timeless family photos that can hang on your wall for years to come.

Avoid clothing with large logos, symbols, or writing

The reasoning behind this simple – logos and writing are distracting, and will pull the viewer’s attention to something other than the beauty and emotion in your family photos. Avoiding logos, symbols and writing in your family photo session outfits is one of the best things you can do to keep the focus on sweet moments within your family.

Dress to complement each other, but don’t wear the same outfits, or the exact same colors.

I suggest coordinating over wearing the exact same outfits/colors/shirts because I think it lends to a more polished look overall. In addition, it gives each family member a little more flexibility to dress to their personality. Wearing different shades of the same color works, but try not to have everyone in the exact same color.

Avoid small patterns if you can.

Photographing small patterns can create an optical phenomena called moire. To read more about moire and see an example, check out Jon Bradley’s article here.

Prioritize comfort

Okay, so it won’t be your first priority, but I do want you to be comfortable during your family photo session. Our goal is to create heartfelt images that capture you for who you are, and it’s easier to be yourself when you’re not wearing an itchy sweater, or pants that are two sizes too small.

Avoid colors that are too bright

By nature, our eyes are always drawn to the brightest part of a photograph. If you are wearing a neon yellow shirt, it is a guarantee that viewers will be distracted by that. Dressing in muted colors is another technique to keep the attention on you, and not what you’re wearing to your family photo session.

Dress for the weather

If it’s winter in Vermont and you have an outdoor family photo session, this generally means bundling up. This is essentially an extension of prioritizing comfort, and is especially important at family photo sessions with littles who get cold quickly. Reasoning with a two year old can be challenging, and it’s even harder when they are underdressed and shivering.

Most importantly, be you!

The suggestions above will help to create a timeless family photo, but if any of clash with your personal style you can throw them out the window. These are guidelines, not rules. Use them as you please.

These are just a handful of the suggestions I make when asked what to wear to a family photo session. Keep in mind that my clients can always reach out for a wardrobe consultation if they are on the fence about what to wear.

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