My advice on what to wear for a family photoshoot

You’ve finally got round to booking your shoot so onto the biggest dilemma… what do we all wear?

It’s tricky, isn’t it? You want to look smart, but not too smart. You want to match, but not be matching. You want the whole family to be happy, but you all have very different styles! And crucially, you want to be able to look at the photos in years to come and not immediately think, ‘my God, what was I wearing?!’

It’s fair to say, choosing what to wear for your family photoshoot can be a bit of a minefield. In fact, it’s usually the first thing I get asked whenever someone books a family shoot!

It may not be an exact science, but there are definitely some things that always look great on camera. And there are some things you should definitely steer clear of!

That’s why I’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you pick out the perfect outfits. Ones that you’ll feel comfortable and confident wearing on the day, and that you’ll still love when you look at the photos in years to come.

Find a colour palette that you love

Decide on a colour palette you love. Then choose outfits that compliment each other within this palette. It’s often a good idea to do neutrals or a softer palette that has different ranges in tone of the same shades.

I always suggest that mum chooses an outfit she feels confident and beautiful in, and you then plan the colour palette around that.

It’s also a good idea to consider where you’ll be hanging the photos in the house and then choose a palette to match the decor in that room.

Whatever you do, don’t wear matching outfits!

Just because you’re working within the same palette, it doesn’t mean you all have to look the same. Feel free to all have your own unique look that sets you apart and shows your personality.

Ever seen those awkward 70’s family photos where they’re all wearing matching outfits? This should be avoided at all costs! You want to look cohesive, but you don’t want to look too ‘matchy’.

With children, it can be a good idea to give them a few options within the colour palette, and then allow them to choose their own outfit. They’ll tend to be a lot happier with their clothes if they feel like they’ve picked them out themselves!

Think about when and where you’ll be having the shoot

Will you be surrounded by autumnal reds and oranges? Will the summer sun be gleaming down? Will you be on a beach? In a field? At home?

The backdrop should be a big factor when deciding on your colour palette and the type of outfits you wear.

Personally for outdoor sessions, I love warm earthy tones (browns, creams, beiges, rust) as they compliment the local sand and granite.

For at-home and beach sessions, I’d suggest bare feet.

Pinterest is a great source of inspiration for this kind of thing, so have a little cruise around some family photoshoot outfit boards and see what kind of vibe suits you best.

Look smart, but be yourselves

Of course you want to look nice. But it’s also important that you look and feel like yourselves. I don’t mean turn up in pyjamas (unless you want to!) but don’t feel pressured to ‘dress up’ to the point where you won’t recognise yourselves in the photos.

Every family has their own personality and their own style, so be proud of yours. The wonderful thing about family photoshoots is that they’re a snapshot of your family in this precious and fleeting time in your lives. So think about what your style is, and own it!

Wear something you feel comfortable sitting, playing and moving in.

It can be a surprisingly active few hours! Tight jeans or a tight dress might look nice, but you might regret your choice! Find the balance between looking nice and being able to have fun and relax (and breathe!)

Autumn and Winter photoshoots

Wear layers, there will be lots of playing, running, tickling and you’re bound to get warm.

Try to avoid snow suits for small babies as there is very little I can actually photograph as they are so covered up. If it’s super cold you may want to bring the photoshoot inside and opt for a home or studio session.

Knitwear and blankets photographs really well bringing some textures into the mix.

Things to be absolutely avoided at all costs!

• Large logos and text - these are distracting in photos and will look dated in years to come

• Neon colours - very distracting and will probably clash with the decor of whatever room you put the photo in

• Everyone in patterns - makes for a very ‘busy’ photo. Patterns tend to age badly as well.

• Chunky jewellery, fitbits and watches - these can be distracting elements and will look dated years from now.

• Clothing that will date - stick to classics like white dresses, jeans, etc.

• One person in a bright colour - distracting, especially if everyone else is in neutrals. Can also make them look weirdly like the family mascot.

Finally- be comfortable with your choices

The most important thing to remember is that the photoshoot is supposed to be an enjoyable experience.

So choose outfits you feel comfortable and confident in. If you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable with your outfits, it will always be in the back of your mind and you won’t enjoy yourselves as much.

Above all else, I want you to love our time together, to laugh and giggle and bond as a family. Not only does this make for the most amazing photos, it allows you to treasure the experience and create a wonderful memory together. And then whenever you look at the photo, you’ll remember the day, and you’ll smile.