What are we going to wear?

For most mums, who are often the ones planning and organising the family photos, outfits can be the most stressful part of the whole process. Finding something that you feel comfortable in, especially as a new mum, and then creating outfits for the rest of the family that fit and that they’ll actually wear! Sounds like a nightmare.

But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need perfectly matching outfits or a completely new wardrobe. With a few simple guidelines, you can choose outfits that feel like you and photograph beautifully…

Without all the arguments.

1. Dress Mum First

A photograph of a woman with brown hair in a dark blue dress with white and pink florals smiles as she looks at a vase of flowers decorated by her child

This is the most important tip and the one people often skip, because as mums, we’re used to putting our family’s needs ahead of our own.

Well… Not today.

It’s time that we as mums started prioritising ourselves (but that’s a whole other conversation). However, in this case, prioritising your outfit first, actually benefits everyone. When you feel comfortable and confident, it sets the tone for the whole session. Building everything else around what you’re wearing narrows down options for “whatever you want, babe” partners and takes off the wall outfit choices immediately off the table for stylish teens.

When you’re going through your closet or trying things on at the shops, ask yourself:

Do I feel good in this?
Can I move, sit, cuddle, and play comfortably?
Does this feel like me?

If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.

2. Coordinate, don’t duplicate

Gone are the days of the nuclear family posing with the kids in front and Dad standing by mum with a hand on her shoulder, wearing the exact same white shirt and jeans. At least unironically. Instead, aim for coordinated outfits that keep everyone comfortable and photograph well without distracting from the subject: Your family.

Think:

Soft, complementary colours
A mix of textures
Outfits that feel connected, not identical

For example:

Mum in a flowy neutral dress
Kids in comfortable soft tones that tie in
Dad in a plain shirt and pants

Your outfits should feel natural, comfortable, and something that you’ll want to wear again.

3. Choose a Soft, Neutral Colour Palette

Neutral tones photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your family.

Some easy options:

Cream, beige, white
Soft pastels
Warm earthy tones (rust, olive, tan)
Blues and light denim

Try to avoid:

Bright neon colours
Large logos
Busy patterns that draw attention away from faces

A black and white photograph of a boy without clothing, holding bubbles in the garden. A border collie puppy stands in front of him, covering his lower half.

4. Think About Movement and Comfort

The best photos often happen in the in-between moments… Walking together, picking up your kids, sitting, playing, cuddling

Outfits that allow movement make a big difference, both to your comfort and your photos. Flowy dresses, soft fabrics, and comfortable clothing help create that relaxed, natural feel. For everyone, but especially for kids, comfort is key. If they feel good, they’re far more likely to be happy…

and keep their clothes on 😅

5. Dress for the Location

Think about where your session will take place. Your outfits should be suited to the activities you’ll likely be doing and the vibe of your chosen location. Wool sweaters at the beach rarely end well.

Beach → light, airy fabrics, barefoot, soft tones

Park → earthy colours, layers, textures

At home → relaxed, cozy, true-to-life outfits

You don’t need to overthink it, just aim for outfits that feel like they belong in that environment.

A girl in pjamas stands on a chair infront of a closet and holds up a dress on the hanger infront of her face, peering through the gap

6. You Don’t Have to Get It Perfect

This is the part I always remind my clients of:

Don’t let the clothes choices stress you out. Your photos aren’t about perfect outfits.

They’re about:

The way your child reaches for you
The way you laugh together
The connection you share

The outfits just support that; they don’t define it.

A Note About Kids…

Kids don’t need to be perfectly dressed to look beautiful in photos.

In fact, a untucked shirt, bare feet, or that well loved princess dress that they insist on wearing often adds to the story.

What matters most is that they feel:

Comfortable
Free to move
Like themselves

Key Takeaways:

👗 Dress mum first!

🤝 Coordinated, not matching

🧸 Comfort is key

🏖️ Dress for the location

🩵 Think soft tones, texture, layers, and movement

📸 When in doubt, ask your photographer

If you’re still unsure…

When in doubt, turn to your photographer for guidance. That might mean taking a look at their portfolio to see what other clients wore that photographed well, or it might mean asking for their guidance… most will offer some kind of guidelines for outfits anyway. Some traditional and lifestyle photographers even have a client wardrobe that you can borrow from!

Personally, I prefer clients wear whatever makes them comfortable, but part of my process is to sit with my clients 1:1 in a pre-session consultation where we work together to plan your session and I can answer all your questions on everything, including outfits.

To find out more about how my sessions work, click the button below.

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