Of all the questions I get asked before family sessions, "what should we wear?" comes up more than any other. And I get it — coordinating outfits for multiple people, across different ages and body types, while also making sure everything looks cohesive in photos, is genuinely tricky.

Here's the approach I recommend to every family I work with.

Rather than trying to coordinate everyone's outfits from scratch, start with one piece of clothing you love — a patterned dress, a plaid shirt, a floral blouse — and build the rest of the family's wardrobe around the colors in that piece.

This gives you a natural color palette to work from and ensures everything feels connected without looking like everyone ordered matching outfits from the same catalog.

Matching outfits — everyone in white shirts and jeans, or everyone in the same shade of blue — can look dated and flat in photos. Coordinating is different: it means choosing colors and tones that complement each other without being identical.

A good coordinated palette might look like:

• Mum in a dusty rose dress
• Dad in navy trousers and a cream shirt
• Kids in soft neutrals with one accent piece that picks up the rose or navy

The result feels intentional and harmonious without looking like a uniform.

Instead of "we're all wearing blue," think "we're working in warm earth tones" or "we're doing soft, muted pastels." A palette gives you flexibility — different shades, textures, and styles that all feel like they belong together.

Colors that photograph beautifully: navy, cream, sage green, dusty rose, terracotta, warm grey, camel, and soft white. Colors to approach with caution: neon shades, very bright red, and stark black-and-white combinations (though black and white together can work beautifully with the right styling).

Texture adds visual interest to portraits and prevents the image from looking flat. Mix a chunky knit with a smooth cotton, a linen blazer with a jersey dress, denim with silk. The variety keeps the eye moving and makes the overall image feel rich and layered.

If you're shooting outdoors in autumn, lean into the warm tones of the season — rust, mustard, burgundy, olive. For a studio session, you have more flexibility, but still consider whether you want a warm, cozy feel or something cleaner and more modern.

Dress the kids last. Once you've sorted the adults, find something for the children that fits within the palette and — crucially — that they're comfortable in. An uncomfortable child is an uncooperative child, and no amount of beautiful styling will fix a portrait where the kids are miserable.

Pack one or two backup options for each family member. Spills happen. Outfit changes can refresh the energy of a session and give you more variety in your gallery. We have a steamer and a full-length mirror at the studio, so don't worry about wrinkles from the drive over.

Still not sure what to wear? Send me a message before your session and I'm happy to look at what you're considering and give you honest feedback. Get in touch here.