Choosing the Best Outfits for Your Riverview Family Photoshoot is Easier than You Think.
You don't have to have the perfect outfits to have a great portrait session...
But taking the care to plan your wardrobe in advance sure does enhance the whole experience in the best way. I know for many of us, trying to figure out what on earth to wear in front of the camera is in the top three if not the most stressful part of booking a photography session. I try to solve this problem by providing a client closet and style guidance for my own clients, but if you’re shooting with another photographer or want to know how to dress your own family, here are some tips to make this part a little smoother.
In this blog:
- Get Excited - Dressing Up Can be Fun
- Find Your Style + Your Colors
- Start with Mom
- Comfort is Key
Get Excited - Dressing Up Can be Fun
I know, I know, the thought of color-matching and laundry and trying to keep the baby from spitting up on his shirt is far from "exciting" and this tip sounds a little crazy.
You might already be hyper-focused on trying to remember every single piece of clothing that exists in your house and whether everyone owns something in that exact same shade of green. But hear me out - Choosing outfits is a great way to get every member of the family involved in building up the anticipation for the session. Setting aside a special outfit helps make it extra fun when you finally get to put it on for the big day!
Find Your Style + Your Colors
The first thing you can do to help visualize this is to check the confirmation email that was sent to you after booking your session. There you will find details about your session, and the Style + Prep Guide. This guide has helpful pages such as images of a "family formal" or "boho" styling, plus some recommended color groupings. Which fits your family portrait vision?
You want to be able to see individual personality not only in the way you pose and interact, but through your outfits as well. Ask yourself first, “why am I taking the photos and where I will be using them?” For example: Your upcoming session for the baby's 6-month milestone celebration will also include a few casual snaps of the whole family, because you want to use the photos on your gallery wall in the living room. So, you probably don't need any new or fancy clothing purchases and need colors to somewhat match the living room or be neutral to it. Start with choosing a color palette of 3-5 tones from that area of the home or a close "theme" such as earthy, neutrals, spring or fall colors.
- Whites, creams, tans, greys, black, or earth tones are a great start for neutral family portraits to use year-round.
- Clothing stores like Target or Macy's are known to have matching outfit lines for every member of the family.
- Not sure if pieces will photograph well together? Ask your photographer for help!
Start with Mom or Child
Many family poses feature mamas or the birthday/milestone child in the center of the image and this is one reason I recommend dressing them first. After you choose your style (casual, formal, boho, etc.) and colors (3-5 complimenting tones) it makes it much easier to find an outfit you love and finish matching everyone else around it. Also, many women's + girl's dresses feature patterns which could help decide what colors everyone else should look for. Try to use clothing that is in single, solid colors and avoid more than one person wearing a pattern or stripes.
Comfort is Key
This tip may seem obvious, but it's worth repeating.
Portrait sessions with children can often be high-energy and involve lots of movement or repeatedly getting up and down from the ground so it's best to choose outfits that allow you to move with flow and ease. You don’t want to worry about garments becoming untucked/riding up during the session or children constantly scratching at their legs because of itchy material. If you feel happy, comfortable and gorgeous, your photos will reflect exactly that!
Studio Solest Family Portrait Co. is a Tampa, Florida–based photography studio serving Riverview, Central Florida, and beyond. I specialize in family, maternity, newborn, engagement, wedding, and destination wedding photography, capturing meaningful moments in a relaxed, natural way.
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog! I love sharing client sneak peeks, session inspiration, and highlighting local favorites to give you insight into the Riverview community.
If you’ve been thinking about booking a family or portrait session in the Tampa Bay area, I’d love to connect.
👉 Contact me here to start planning. I promise your images will be truly frame-worthy.
