What to wear for family photos
When planning a family photoshoot, the question I get the most is “what should we wear?” It can be a lot for a busy parent to coordinate outfits for everyone and oftentimes the wardrobe gets pushed off until the last minute. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way! With a few helpful guidelines it’s easy to narrow our options and bring clarity to your wardrobe.

Dress For the Season
There are really two seasons to dress for. Spring/summer and Fall/Winter.
Spring & Summer Sessions
When planning a spring or summer family session, it’s always best to aim for lighter colors like neutrals, earthy pastels (light greens, light blues, blush) and subtle spring patterns. These colors just work well with blooming flowers and lush green landscapes. I also suggest reaching for lighter/flowy fabrics like linens that give off an effortless look.



Winter & Fall Sessions
When planning a Fall or Winter session, It’s time to get cozy and pick out earthy tones, and deeper classic fall colors like maroon, burnt red, forest green, and dark denim items. Choose pieces that have heavier textures like knits, corduroy, and layers.



Choose Parent’s Outfits First
I always start with the parents first so we can build an outfit for everyone else based on their look. Parents are usually the biggest people in the frame and we want to make sure their outfits coordinate before adding outfits for the kiddos. Once we choose one outfit it’s so easy to make choices for everyone else. Use your outfit to pick out colors for your kid(s). In the photos below you can see that mom used the colors in her dress pattern to choose outfit colors for the kids.



Don’t Forget about shoes!
It’s true that shoes can make an outfit. This can often be overlooked, but shoes are SO important to the overall look of your family photos. In the summer everyone can wear shoes made from natural materials (i.e. leather-like sandals or clogs). In the winter I suggest that everyone wear a comfortable boot that is one color (black or brown) and has minimal details.
Make it Comfortable.
If we are outdoors in the winter, nothing is worse than taking coats on and off in between photos to quickly warm up after freezing and forcing smiles! apply the style principles to your outer layers so you can stay warm throughout the entire session. You can have all of the style in the world but if you or your family isn’t feeling 100% comfortable in their clothes then it will show in the photos.



A Few Wardrobe Tips:
Dress it Up
Don’t be afraid to wear something you normally wouldn’t. I encourage you to embrace a flowy dress or wear those fashionable linen pants. Think of pieces and accessories that are a bit more elevated than your everyday wardrobe.
The Subtle Details
Adding a subtle gold necklace or sweet, simple set of earrings can add a lot of character to your portraits. Same thing goes for nails! Hands are naturally a major point of focus in family photos and having a clean, manicured set of nails goes a long way!



Where to Shop for family sessions in Portland
The first place to “shop” is always your own closet! But, if you’re wanting to get something special for your session I have a few favorite places that I can recommend:
Deep Lake :A currated, high-end consignment shop in SE Portland. This is one of my favorite places to shop personally. There are a ton of designer pieces for half the price! They always have tons of beautiful dresses and you’ll certainly find something unique. Plus, they are always rotating their collection with the seasons.
Littles & Fiddles: A consignment shop for littles! Follow them on instagram for first dibs on their latest pieces. They tend to currate toward higher end brands that always have cute patterns and colors.
Circle Round: A consignment shop for women’s clothing in NE Portland. They always have a great selection of denim (perfect for a more casual session). They also have a children’s section at the back of the store.
Noihsaf Bazar: An online exchange for second hand designer brands. They have clothing options for Women, Men, and Kiddos! I personally shop this site WAY too much.

Get in touch
Send me a message to schedule your family session!