What to Wear Guide

 

 

Choosing what to wear for your session can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. This guide is here to help you feel confident, comfortable, and beautifully you in front of the camera. The goal isn’t perfection or matching outfits—it’s creating a cohesive look that reflects your connection, your personality, and the season of life you’re in.

Soft tones, natural textures, and pieces that move effortlessly tend to photograph best, allowing the focus to stay on your relationships rather than your outfits. Whether you’re planning a relaxed family session or an intimate couple shoot, this guide will walk you through simple, timeless styling choices so you can show up feeling prepared—and fully present in the moment.

 

Start with a Colour Palette


When choosing outfits, think in tones rather than exact colours. Soft neutrals and earthy hues—creams, warm whites, beige, olive, tan, muted blues, soft browns, warm neutrals, dusty tones and gentle pastels—photograph beautifully and create a calm, harmonious feel.

Coordinate, Don’t Match


Instead of everyone wearing the same outfit, aim for a coordinated colour palette with variation in tones and textures. A palette of 3–5 complementary tones across everyone’s outfits will bring everything together without feeling overly styled.

For example:

Mum in a soft, flowy dress

Dad in neutral tones (linen shirt, chinos)

Kids in complementary shades

This creates depth and visual interest while still feeling natural.

Choose Comfort and Movement


The most beautiful images come from genuine connection—and that’s only possible when you feel comfortable. Choose pieces you can move, sit, and play in with ease.

Flowy dresses, relaxed silhouettes, and soft fabrics like linen, cotton, and knits allow for natural movement and add a sense of softness to your images.

For couples, movement (walking, twirling, holding each other) adds a natural, emotive feel to your images.

Keep It Simple


Simple, classic pieces always photograph best. To keep the focus on your connection, avoid anything that may distract you from the moment. Large logos, bold graphics, neon colours, or overly busy patterns can draw attention away from what matters most.

If you love patterns, opt for something subtle and keep it to one outfit within the group.

Dress for the Setting


Let your location guide your outfit choices.

For beach sessions, lean into light, airy fabrics and soft tones that move with the breeze.

For open fields or parks, earthy colours and layered textures work beautifully.

For in-home sessions, keep things simple, soft, and relaxed—think cozy and natural.

Your outfits should complement the environment, not compete with it.

A Note for Mums


If you’re unsure where to start, I always recommend choosing your outfit first and building the rest of the family around it.

Flowy dresses or skirts photograph beautifully and bring a sense of movement and elegance to your images. Soft, neutral tones are always a lovely choice.

For hair and makeup, aim for a version of yourself—just slightly elevated. Something that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and still like you.

Styling for Him


Keep things simple and timeless. Neutral shirts, button-ups, or well-fitted tees paired with chinos, linen pants, or denim work effortlessly.

Avoid bold logos or overly bright sneakers unless it’s intentionally part of your style.

Styling for Little Ones


Comfort is key. Choose soft, breathable fabrics that allow them to move and play freely.

Keep outfits simple and free from large graphics or characters. Barefoot is always a beautiful option, especially for beach or in-home sessions.

Bring It All Together


A helpful tip is to lay everyone’s outfits out together beforehand. Start with one outfit (often mum’s) and build around it, ensuring everything feels balanced and cohesive.

 

Things to Avoid

 

To keep your images feeling timeless and connected, there are a few things best left out when choosing your outfits. These small details can make a big difference in ensuring the focus stays on you and your story.

Avoid large logos and bold graphics

Logos, text, and graphic prints can quickly draw attention away from the connection in your images. Simple, unbranded pieces always photograph more beautifully and stand the test of time.

Skip neon and overly bright colours

Very bright or fluorescent tones can reflect onto skin and create colour casts, especially in natural light. Softer, muted tones tend to feel more natural and flattering.

Be mindful of busy patterns

Patterns aren’t a no—but they’re best kept subtle. Too many bold prints within a group can feel visually overwhelming. If you love patterns, choose one statement piece and keep the rest more minimal.

Be cautious with solid black and pure white

These aren’t a hard no—but they can be tricky.

Solid black can feel heavy and lose detail in certain lighting, while pure white can reflect light strongly and sometimes lose softness. If you love them, consider softer alternatives like off-white, cream, charcoal, or layered textures to balance them out.

 

At the end of the day, what matters most isn’t what you wear—it’s how you feel. When you feel comfortable, confident, and connected, that’s what truly shines through in your images. This guide is here to support you, not overwhelm you—so take what feels right, keep it simple, and trust that your story is already enough.

If you’re ever unsure, I’m always here to help. You’re more than welcome to send through your outfit ideas, and I’ll happily guide you in bringing everything together. I can’t wait to capture these moments for you in a way that feels natural, effortless, and truly you. ✨