What to wear for your session!

Choosing what everyone will wear for family photos can feel like a lot, but it doesn't need to be. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, confident and like yourselves.

The suggestions below come from my experience photographing hundreds of families and are what I personally feel work best.

Start with soft, complementary colours

Plain fabrics, neutral shades and muted colours are usually a great place to start. Rather than having everyone match, try choosing colours that complement each other while giving each person a little individuality.

Depending on your location, combinations might include soft blue with taupe, olive green with dusky pinks, rust with dusty pink, or neutrals such as cream, browns and charcoal - perhaps with a pop of colour here and there.

Aim for a mix of lighter and darker tones across the family, with gentle contrast. When everyone is dressed in a very similar shades, individual shapes can start to blend together when you're all close together.

I generally recommend avoiding very bright colours because they can dominate the photograph and draw attention away from faces, while reflecting the colour onto skin and other people’s clothes.

Black and stark white can also be tricky in photographs. Large areas of black can lose visible detail, while bright white can reflect colours from the surroundings. That doesn't mean you can't wear them - just consider using them as part of a broader mix of tones rather than dressing everyone in them.

You definitely don't need matching outfits. Coordinating rather than matching tends to create a more natural, timeless result.

Dress for the location

Think about where your family photography session will take place when choosing your colours.

A colour that looks beautiful at an Auckland beach may work differently surrounded by the greens of a park. For example, I find yellow can work beautifully at the beach, while it isn't usually my preference for a park session.

The location should also influence your footwear. Bare feet, canvas sneakers, sandals or ankle boots can all work depending on the setting and weather.

Dresses that photograph beautifully

For those who love wearing dresses, I particularly like long, floaty styles in fabrics that move easily and don't crease too much.

Slightly sheer fabrics can look especially beautiful in the light and movement can add another dimension to the photographs. Block colours and subtle, timeless prints are both good options.

If you can’t find anything, ask me about the dresses I currently have available.

Layers, texture and accessories

Layers are especially useful in cooler weather and can add texture and interest without needing bold patterns.

Chunky knit cardigans, wraps, denim jackets, wool coats, knits and blazers can all work well.

Accessories such as scarves, hats and jewellery can add personality too. The aim isn't to style everyone into someone they're not - choose the pieces that feel natural for you.

If dresses aren't your thing

There are plenty of other options that photograph just as well.

Floaty blouses or peasant-style tops with jeans, plain button-up shirts, V-neck T-shirts, chinos, plain shorts and distressed or faded denim are all options I've found work well.

A few practical things to consider

Comfort matters because family sessions involve movement, cuddling, sitting and often walking around the location. Clothing that allows you to move freely will generally make the whole experience easier.

I suggest avoiding prominent logos and text, very loud prints and strong stripes, as these can pull attention away from your family.

Fabrics that crease very easily or attract lots of lint can also create distractions in photographs.

For an outdoor family photography session, choose footwear that you can comfortably walk in. We sometimes need to cross uneven ground to reach the best spots, so high heels aren't always practical.

Before you leave home, it's also worth checking the little details that are easy to overlook. Watches can be surprisingly noticeable in close-up photographs, as can chipped nail polish. Sunglasses can also become distracting whether they're worn on your face, pushed onto your head or hanging from your clothing, so I recommend leaving them behind where possible.

For beach sessions

Bring a change of clothes for the trip home!

Nine times out of ten, someone ends up in the water during my beach family sessions - usually the kids, but not always!

You can add layers such as a denim jacket, wool coat, chunky knit or blazer depending on the weather, and accessories such as a fedora or beanie if they suit your personal style.

For cold-weather sessions

If it's chilly, dress children in warm clothes that you're happy to photograph them in from the beginning.

Planning to bundle a child up for the journey and then remove their warm layers when you arrive can make for an unhappy start to the session. Comfortable, warm layers that photograph well mean they can settle in and enjoy themselves straight away.

Above all, wear what feels like you

My intention is to photograph your family looking and feeling your best - not at the expense of your own taste or personality.

These suggestions are based on what I've learned through photographing hundreds of families, but they're still suggestions. There are no rigid rules.

If you feel comfortable and confident in what you're wearing, that's far more important than creating a technically “perfect” outfit.

Example of colour-casting

See the orange ‘glow’ under the chin? This happens when the sunlight reflects off the clothing and onto the face. This also happens when bright colours are worn next to white clothing. Because white reflects colour so well, you get what’s called a ‘cast’ of the bright colour on the white which is easily avoided by choosing muted colours instead.