Of all the questions I get before a session, this one comes up the most: What should we wear?

It matters more than people think. The right outfits can make a photo feel cohesive and warm. The wrong ones can make it look like four strangers who happened to stand next to each other. Here's what I tell every family before we shoot.

Start With One Person, Build From There

Pick the outfit you're most excited about first. Usually that's the mom, sometimes a daughter with a specific dress. Once you have that anchor piece, pull the other family members around it.

You're not trying to match. You're trying to coordinate. There's a big difference.

  • Matching: everyone in navy blue polos
  • Coordinating: navy, dusty rose, cream, and a light stripe

One reads like a school photo. The other reads like a real family.

Stick to a Palette, Not a Pattern

Pick 3 to 4 colors max. Muted, earthy tones tend to photograph beautifully in natural light. Think sage green, dusty blue, ivory, terracotta, warm grey.

Avoid:

  • Bright white (blows out in sunlight)
  • Neon or very saturated colors (they pull all the attention)
  • Heavy logos or text on shirts
  • Overly matching patterns that fight each other

A simple test: lay everything out on the bed together. If it looks good there, it'll look good in photos.

Dress for the Season and the Location

If we're doing a fall session at Palisades or somewhere in Bergen County with a lot of foliage, lean into warm tones. Rust, olive, burgundy, mustard. These will complement the environment instead of competing with it.

Spring sessions work well with lighter, softer tones. Lavender, sage, blush, white linen.

And please: dress for the actual weather. A beautiful sweater nobody wanted to wear because it was 75 degrees reads on camera. Kids especially. Comfortable kids cooperate. Uncomfortable kids don't.

A Few Practical Notes

  • Bring an extra outfit for the kids. Spills happen. Always.
  • Break in your shoes before the session. Blisters mid-shoot are nobody's friend.
  • Avoid anything you just bought and haven't worn. New clothes often don't sit right and people feel self-conscious in them.
  • When in doubt, go slightly more dressed up than you think. You can always dress down a look in editing. You can't add formality.

Still Stuck? Send Me a Photo

Seriously. Before every session, I'm happy to take a look at what you're planning and give you honest feedback. I'd rather spend two minutes on a text thread than have you show up in something that doesn't work.

Book your session and we can sort out the details from there.

Is it golden hour yet?Andrew