Family portraits are an investment that you want to get right the first time. The most important thing? Being prepared with what to wear to family photos. Having a neutral and timeless look is the BEST way to be able to look back and enjoy your photos for years to come. In this post, I’ll take you step-by-step through what to wear, how to choose your outfits, and what to stay away from. When I started Tesora Photography in Fairfield and Westchester 12 years ago, I quickly understood that wearing timeless pieces that flatter your family is the KEY to setting the right tone to have a great session. Preparation makes you feel your best, and I’m excited to share my insider tips and tricks with you.
Why timeless and neutral tones matter when choosing an outfit.
While it’s fun to look back at my childhood photos because the 80s style was running rampant, it hits different when you are making an investment to preserve your family’s memories. Spending money on intentional photos means wanting to enjoy them for years to come and not saying in 30 years, “why did I wear that?!” Choosing the best clothing for you and your family also means that you’ll have a higher chance of loving your photos. These photos are meant to adorn your walls and your home. They are not meant to stay hidden in the cloud somewhere. Therefore, choosing pieces that would look good in ANY decade is absolutely the move. Sure, things slightly change, but staying away from trendy pieces is helpful. (This is why I’ll choose an A-line dress over skinny jeans every day of the week).
Neutral, soft color choices: the hidden gem of choosing the right outfits.
As an artist, when I look at a photograph, I understand that where my eye goes immediately will either make or break the imagery I’m trying to create. If you’re looking at a family photo and noticing ANYTHING but the beauty and connection between family members, something is wrong. And usually, it’s because of loud, dark, or neon colors that could take away from the ethereal, dreamy feel that family portraits should absolutely have. For this reason, I always recommend, light, creamy or earth tones for color. Even if your vibe is less dressy, the rule about earth tones and neutral colors remains true; it preserves connection, with you being at the forefront of the image. Your clothing feels like just an added bonus.
Does your photographer have a client closet? This can be so beneficial.
My clients get to enjoy a styled and curated client wardrobe for mom. Beautiful, refined, elevated and flattering pieces were chosen to make photos infinitely better and I’m so grateful to offer it with all of my full sessions. We build the rest of the family’s clothing choices on mom’s dress choice. With mom always being the one behind the camera, I’m proud to offer an experience for HER to value and cherish. Taking advantage of a photographer’s client closet is so special and means that you don’t even have to worry about what to wear. When you’re the one worrying about literally everything, why add this stress?
Example 1: Spring neutrals
For the image above, we made sure to go light and neutral for spring. Starting ALWAYS with mom’s outfit and working from there, we picked outfit choices that were complimentary, but not matching. Springtime was the perfect moment to go with some pastels and florals.
Example 2: Indoor Newborn Session in New York.
Here, we were strategic about picking lighter colors for this New York newborn photography session. The house was a little darker than usual (it was a cloudy day). This really helped put the emphasis on the subjects and their bond.
Example 3: Outdoor Newborn Session – Linens!
For these outdoor newborn photos, we focused on TEXTURE with neutrality. Those cotton and linens were really the way to go for this summer session. For reference, mom’s dress here is from Doen. I’m pleased to offer some Doen dresses in the Tesora client closet.
Example 4: Beachy Vibes for an Outdoor Beach Session in Fairfield County.
My clients wanted their session above to be beachy, timeless, neutral, but FULL of texture. We picked cottons, silks, linens and wool to adorn this beautiful family. While I usually advise against “matching,” I think they nailed the look they were going for. It doesn’t look “too” matching because of the diverse textures.
Example 5: International Family Photography – earth tones.
The family above that I photographed while working internationally in Ireland opted for a bit more contrast. Note that we stayed true to my rules about “earth tones” while still preserving a more cold coastal Irish vibe here. Your eye goes to the bond with mom and her children, rather than to the dark pieces that are a part of their outfits.
Favorite Brands to consider for family photography:
My favorite brands to focus on for family photography are:
Final Note: Planning with your photographer for your outfits.
I’m so excited to partner with my clients on their wardrobe planning. Providing mom with a beautiful outfit and going from there with everyone else’s clothing during a full planning session brings me so much joy. Leaning on your photographer to help execute a beautiful session is such a big part of my own process. I encourage you to do the same to prepare for your family photos!
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Carolyn of Tesora Photography is an internationally-recognized family photographer. With home base just north of New York City, she travels globally for motherhood and family sessions. Carolyn’s “second home” is the U.K., so feel free to reach out about a session abroad. She also travels all over the U.S. to make her clients’ dream sessions come true.
