What to wear guide.

Choosing what to wear for a family session can be tricky, if you don’t have a plan. We’re here to help! You should bring two to three outfits to your session so we can get a variety of different looks for you. We suggest the following:

My Do’s and Don’ts for choosing what to wear.

Do choose a colour scheme/palette.

If you know where you want the wall art in your living room, then coordinate your outfits to your decor. Remember while Orange and yellow are happy colours, they can distract from the face so use them minimally.

Don’t match.

The most important thing to remember is to coordinate. You don’t want to be matchy-matchy, but you want to coordinate. Choose similar colours and styles that photograph well together. For example, you don’t want to wear jeans if your fiancé is wearing a suit and tie in the same photo. Also remember to dress for the location. For example, if you are doing a natural, rustic or vintage session, you’ll want to stay away from bright colours and opt for neutrals instead. 

Do layer.

Layers create interest and texture. They all add good variations. Think scarves, cardigans, coats, or jewellery.

Don’t be afraid of patterns.

While contrasting patterns can be overwhelming, simple complementary patterns work well together, especially when used in moderation. Eg. Stripes and plain colours. Simple floral.

Do pay attention to the finer details.

Shoes matter! Try to stick to neutral/no logos shoes for the whole family? Or my favourite, no shoes.

Do stay comfortable.

The whole purpose of the session is to capture fun. Make sure your comfortable for whatever comes.

Don’t Overthink it.

You don’t need to stress out or go buy loads of clothes. What suits your family? Start there.

Do accessorise

Children are more comfortable when holding something. Don’t be afraid to bring their favourite teddy. Accessorise with flowers, props, hats, etc

Dressing for a Spring Family Session

The birds are chirping, the buds are blooming, and the snow has officially melted. That means it’s time for your spring family session. Here are a few wardrobe tips and ideas to ensure the whole gang looks smashing:

• Play up the fact that it’s spring. Have a necklace with a butterfly pendant? Perfect! An insect-printed tee? Yes, please. 
• Channel the colors of spring. Seriously – look out the window for inspiration for your family’s color palette. Greens, pinks, yellows, beige, khaki, and blues all work exceptionally well. 
• Layer up! Spring can be both warm and cold at once, so come prepared. We love spring scarves, light cardigans, vests, etc.  

Dressing for a Summer Family Session

It’s hot outside, but fear not. Here are some cool wardrobe tips to make sure your summer family photo session is a hit: 

• Wear light fabrics that let you breath, but still look polished. It’s OK to show some skin, too. Shorts are good, as are tank tops. 
• Really play up the summer accessory factor. I’m talking sun hats for the ladies and big sunglasses for all. 
• You can even bring summer-appropriate props that complement your outfits. Maybe it’s a beach ball, balloons, giant lollipop or messy ice cream cone. 
• Choose shoes that are comfortable and summery. Flip flops, loafers, open-toed pumps, even sweet sneakers on your kiddos. 

Dressing for a Fall Family Session

Fall is all about bundling up in lots of layers, enjoying the shift from hot to cool, and soaking up the sun and autumn foliage. Here are a few tips for choosing outfits for your fall family session: 

• Choose colors that won’t clash too much with the fall leaves. Instead, stick with a neutral palette with colors that blend seamlessly into autumn’s spectrum: earthy reds, burnt oranges, creamy nude, etc. 
• Layer up! Don’t hesitate to throw on those scarves, cardigans, blazers or hats. 
• Wear shoes that fit the season. Think riding boots or comfy, fur-lined boots. Loafers and flats can also work perfectly. 

Dressing for a Winter Family Session

Winter’s cold, sure, but it makes for some seriously stunning photographs. Snowflakes, snowmen, white canvases, glittering icy trees? It’s a photographer’s veritable wonderland! Here’s how to dress to take advantage of that winter wonderland.

• There’s bound to be lots of white, so really punch things up with splashy colors. Think bright red, navy, yellow, green. Any color that really pops against white is a go. 
• On that same note, don’t hesitate to play with prints. We love seeing gingham, polka dots, stripes, etc. 
• Really bundle up and play up the winter factor. We love seeing fur-lined boots or hats, oversized chunky scarves, adorable gloves, etc. 
• Do wear a couple layers underneath to ensure you stay warm. Double up on those socks and throw on some long johns, if you must!

Whatever you choose make sure you’re comfortable. Nothing makes a worse photo than someone who’s uncomfortable.

If you want more ideas check out my vision board: