The number one stressor for many families when it comes to planning family photos is choosing what to wear. What you may not even realize is that there are many factors to consider beyond just “does it match.” In this post I will walk you through those factors, and also give you advice on what to wear for each of your family members.

Think About Your Location

Think of your location as the backdrop of your photos. The colors in the background will heavily impact the overall look of your images. If your session is outdoors, consider the season, what color most of the foliage will be, whether you have pathways or buildings to break up some of the color. If your session is in the studio, the colors are neutral and easy to work with.

I encourage my clients to think of the overall look they want for their photos, and then we can choose outfits and a location based on that vision! One of the best things about booking your family photos in Louisville with me is that you have access to my client wardrobe for you and your kiddos! This takes a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes to planning your session and achieving your vision. I also have access to many different types of outdoor locations and know which ones would best fit your vision. And my studio is the perfect backdrop no matter what season it is!

Think About Your Artwork

If your ultimate goal is to print, frame, and display your family photos, you should definitely consider this when planning outfits for your session. If the room you’re hoping to display your photos in has a neutral color pallet and contemporary style, you’ll want to choose outfits that’ll fit right in! I’m a firm believer that your own family portraits are the best home decor.

I help my clients through this entire process. We can pick location, outfits, and customize your artwork specifically with the room and design in mind!

Outfit Tips & Inspiration

For Mom

Always always ALWAYS start with mom’s outfit! Let’s face it – as mommas, we typically put ourselves last. We end up ordering something from Amazon hoping it’ll work (it probably won’t), and while everyone else is dressed to perfection, we feel just kind of okay in our outfit. But we all know that when we feel good, our confidence shows. This is even more true in photos! You’ll love your photos even more because you felt confident and it showed!

I love photographing moms in dresses for family photos. They add great movement in photos and provide a more dressed up look without feeling fussy. It’s a plus that dresses can often hide areas of our bodies that we might feel self-conscious of.

My clients have access to my curated collection of dresses for moms, ranging from XS to 3XL. You’ll have the opportunity to come “shop” from my wardrobe when we’re planning your session. This will check a huge task off of your list and allow you to really enjoy the planning process of your session!

Here are 6 of my favorite dresses for moms from my client wardrobe of almost 100 dresses!

For Dad

Dad is typically the easiest of the whole family! You probably already have the perfect outfit for him in his closet. I usually encourage dads to go with light neutrals if possible, depending on the factors we’ve already discussed.

If the dress you’ve picked for yourself has an overall warmer tone, I usually suggest khakis or brown pants for dad. If the dress you’ve picked has an overall cooler tone, jeans, navy pants or even light colored khakis would work great. Button down shirts and sweaters are the most popular choices for dads. Tee shirts can sometimes work if they fit the overall look you’re going for. I love a thicker, textured tee if you do go with that option.

Since I don’t have many clothing options for dads in my client wardrobe, I work closely with my clients to make sure dad is coordinating in an appropriate outfit. Whether it’s going back and forth with photos from his closet or providing specific shopping links, I’m always happy to help!

Here are links to some great neutral shirt options for dads:

So many great color options!
Great color options here as well!
Love this chunky sweater
Great neutral textured tee

For Girls

Girls are so much fun to dress! Twirly dresses, ruffle socks, and bows are sure to make your girl excited for family photos.

Now that you’ve picked your dress, it should be easy to find a coordinating option for your daughter(s). If your dress is solid, it may look nice to have her in a pattern! Small patterns, like a dainty floral, photographs beautifully! If your dress has a pattern on it already, let’s put her in a solid.

While those little t shirt dresses from Target are adorable, they’re not always the best option for family photos. I like for little girls to wear something that matches the dressiness of mom’s outfit.

When you work with me, you have access to girls dresses ranging from newborn to size 10. Here are some of my favorites from recent sessions.

You may be wondering what kind of shoes your little girls should wear. I love leather sandals, Mary Janes, or little boots when it’s cold. Bare feet could also work depending on where your location is. I love the cozy, playful feel bare feet can give your family photos!

Here are some links to cute girls’ shoes:

Linen Ballerina Flats
Leather Sandals
Summer Dress Shoes
Mary Janes
Chelsea Boots

For Boys

Boys are often as easy to dress as dads. Neutral colored shirts and khaki, brown, or blue pants are solid options based on the factors we’ve already discussed. I like to keep dads and boys in the same color family for pants when possible. For example, if dad is wearing light colored khakis, we could choose brown pants or khakis for your little boy(s).

If you’re working with me, I have little boy shirts, pants, and rompers, from newborn to 6T. I’ll help you coordinate your boy’s outfits with the dress and location you’ve selected.

Shoes for boys can make or break the outfit! Leave the brightly colored tennis shoes at home and opt for white sneakers, leather sandals, boots or loafers. Here are some links to a few great options!

Neutral Canvas Sneakers
Leather Sandals
Beige Sneakers
Tan Boots

For Babies

Besides momma, babies are my favorite to dress from my client wardrobe! I love a baby in a bubble romper, no matter their age or gender! Seeing those delicious leg rolls gives me life!
I suggest having your babies go barefoot until they can walk – and even then, bare feet are welcome.You can definitely apply some of the same rules for boys and girls listed above. Try to avoid the play clothes you can find at Target and go for a more elevated look. If you opt for a dress for your baby girl, make sure they have some matching bloomers to go over their diaper. Nothing ruins a darling photo of baby more than an ugly diaper with a big blue line down the middle.

I hope you found these tips for planning your outfits for family photos in Louisville helpful! Work through these tips one by one, and it will definitely seem like a less daunting task! To see more about my experience, including my client wardrobe options, check out this page!

Missy Marshall is a luxury photographer in Louisville, KY specializing in maternity, newborn, young families and milestones. She offers a full-service experience for busy moms who desire beautiful portraits of their families without the stress that often comes with planning a family portrait session. If you are interested in commissioning Missy for your special milestone or family portraits, fill out this form and she’ll reply with more information!