What to wear to your family session

Outfits are the question we get most, and the answer is simpler than Pinterest makes it look.

Coordinate, don't match

Pick a palette of three or four colors and let each person wear one or two of them. Identical white shirts and jeans flatten everyone into one shape; a shared palette still reads as a family.

Colors that photograph well

• Soft neutrals: cream, oatmeal, stone, camel
• Muted jewel tones: emerald, rust, dusty blue, plum
• One person in a gentle pattern, everyone else solid

Skip these

• Large logos, characters and text
• Neon and very bright white on little ones (it glows in sunlight)
• Brand-new shoes that pinch on uneven ground

Texture is your friend

Knits, linen, flowy dresses and layers give the photos depth and movement. A dress that twirls is worth bringing.

For the kids

Dress them last, bring a backup outfit, and pack a snack that won't stain. Happy kids beat perfect outfits every time.