What to wear for family pictures is always the question at the top of every clients mind after booking a family photo session. I have written numerous blog post topics on the subject but today, I’m doing so with a new twist. I’m going to show you a real life conversation between a client and I where we chose family photo outfits for all six members of her family with clothes they already owned.

Due to weather, one of the sessions I had scheduled this week got changed from a first birthday session to a family session with first birthday images at the end. However, with only 2 days to put together outfits for 6 people, we had no time to waste. Purchasing outfits was not going to be an option since we live in small town and ordering outfits means they likely would not get here in time. So, with the client’s permission, I’ve decided to share the text chain with you showing how I advised them to pick out family photo outfits with the clothes they already have in their closet.

Step 1: start with yourself

As I explained to my client, many times, moms will pick out their own clothing last. However, I advise against this. As women, culturally, we are often most critical of our own selves in photos. By picking something you feel good in, you are increasing the odds of actually falling in love with these photos.

step 2: show what you love

I always advise that people select outfits that are going to highlight the things they like about themselves and do not draw attention to the parts of themselves they tend to despise. For example, I am not particularly fond of my arms. So, I would pick something for myself that is three quarter length sleeves or long sleeves.

step 3: why dresses?

Lots of photographers advise moms to wear midi or maxi dresses during photo sessions. This isn’t because we are trying to force people to be someone they aren’t or because we are trying to make your photos have a more “formal” look. It’s because during your photo session we know that you are going to be bending down to play with your kids, picking them up, tickling them, etc. When moms wear jeans/pants with tops, it tends to lead to bra strap rolls, muffin tops, etc. no matter how tiny you are.

However, if a maxi dress or midi is going to make you feel outrageously out of your comfort zone, we don’t want that either.

step 4: share your faves

Next I had this client text me her faves. This is something all of my clients are welcome to do prior to their session. The reason I gave her my opinion is because there are different outfits, trends, and fabrics that look amazing in real life but photograph terribly. So, I gave her my opinion on which ones I think would photograph best.

step 5: most picky

The next step is to move on to the most picky person. Ideally, on picture day, we want as much cooperation as possible which means choosing an outfit that your “picky” child. I don’t love the word picky because I myself was a “picky” child. But using the word picky has a unnecessary negative connotation to it. Often times, kids aren’t trying to be “picky” or seem “ungrateful.” Rather, they are sensitive to the way something feels on their body, they don’t like how a particular outfit makes them feel about themselves, or they are anxious about how it will be received by others and are avoiding getting made fun of. In my opinion, its best to accept who your child is and find options that work for both of you. :)

I also give my client a important tip regarding photo day outfits. For my own children, I often pick out their clothes days in advance and hang them on the fireplace. All week long they are walking past them and I’m remind them of a couple things:

That picture day is coming and this is what they will be wearing.
They won’t have to wear it for very long. Maybe 1 hour (or 2 shows) if your child doesn’t know how to tell time yet.
I remind them that they can choose what they want to wear every other day of the year but on photo day, mommy gets to choose.
If needed, I remind them of their reward. Some may call this bribery. But bribery usually issued in the moment with no prior discussion as a kind of “hail Mary.” But when its discussed ahead of time, its a reward. The reality is, I wouldn’t work for free, and neither would you. For many children, pictures are historically a not fun event. Mom is anxious and stressed, their parents bicker, their dad is impatient and grumpy, and they have to wear clothes that itch and that they hate. Of course, these are all things that I intentionally try to make NOT applicable to photo sessions with me, but somethings are beyond my control.

step 6: potential

Because Mom’s dress is neutral, we weren’t limited by a color scheme yet until the second outfit is chosen. So, I told her to go into her kids closest and pull out all the potential options. It can be a dress, a romper, skirts, sweaters, etc. In photos, textures, layers, and patterns look great. Just stay away from large graphics and logos.

From the options she sent me, I selected an emerald green dress with orange and cream flowers on it. I liked the pattern but I also liked that it had the color of mom’s dress and the color of some of the other potential options sent to me by mom. I then picked out the orange skirt with a cream knit sweater and an orange jumper dress.

step 7: put it all together

The only person left to select an outfit for was dad. However, I wanted to see all the outfits together before I gave any official advice. After seeing them all together I knew I would ideally want something in that emerald green color because I didn’t want the only person to be wearing that to be the little girl in the dress. It didn’t necessarily have to be solid so I told her plaid or flannel would work as well. She sent me everything he had that was green. I told her to pick the flannel with the emerald green Carhartt shirt underneath it. She totally agreed.

And there we go! All finished.