Most parents arrive at a family photoshoot having either wildly overthought the outfits (matching white shirts, denim, the whole catalogue cliché) or wildly underthought them (everyone in whatever they grabbed). The middle path is straightforward, and we'll lay it out below.
the one rule that solves 90% of decisions
Coordinate, don't match. Matching outfits look forced and date the photos instantly — they're the J.Crew catalogue trap. Coordinating means everyone's in the same colour palette, with variations in tone and texture. The eye reads the family as a unit without it feeling staged.
picking the palette
Start with one anchor colour you all like, then build a 2-3 colour palette around it. Examples that always photograph well:
- Earth tones — warm browns, soft cream, dusty olive. Especially good in autumn or against a neutral cyc background.
- Cool neutrals — slate grey, navy, soft white. Modern, clean, works in any season.
- Soft pastels — pale blue, blush pink, butter yellow. Particularly nice for families with young children.
- Deep jewel tones — burgundy, forest green, mustard. Adds depth without going dark.
Pick the palette, then everyone picks within it. Mum in cream, dad in olive, kids in mixed warm tones — that's coordination. Mum, dad and kids all in matching cream — that's a catalogue.
what to avoid
- Logos and graphic prints. The eye reads them before it reads the family. Plain or subtly textured fabrics every time.
- Pure white, especially in groups. Overexposes against our cyc and washes everyone out. Soft cream or buttermilk works in its place.
- Tight patterns. Fine stripes, small checks and herringbone shimmer on camera (moiré). Larger patterns are fine.
- Neon or fluoro. Photographs as a colour the camera can't quite render. Mutes everything else around it.
- Brand-new shoes on toddlers. Half the session ends up being about uncomfortable feet. Bring familiar shoes.
outfits for babies and toddlers
Comfort beats style every time. A scratchy lace dress on a toddler buys you 4 minutes of cooperation before everything falls apart. Soft cotton, familiar textures, room to move. The photos people frame are almost always from the moments where everyone forgot they were being photographed.
For very young babies, often the most beautiful images are minimal — a soft wrap or just a nappy with a fine knit blanket. We have a curated selection of newborn-safe props and wraps in studio. If you're booking a newborn session or a family shoot with a baby, you genuinely don't need to bring much for the baby themselves.
outfits for mixed-age groups (grandparents to grandkids)
Multi-generational shoots are where the palette rule really earns its keep. Grandparents in slightly more formal pieces (soft knits, smart trousers, neutral blouses), parents in mid-range smart-casual, kids in their colour-coordinated comfort outfits. Everyone in the same palette, everyone dressed to their own taste.
multiple outfits — when it's worth bringing them
For the standard 60-minute family session we'd suggest one main outfit (with backups). For 90-minute extended sessions or sessions combining maternity and family, two outfits with a 5-minute change midway gives nice variety. We have a private changing area and full-length mirror on-site.
booking your family photoshoot
Our family photography studio is in Tiptree, Essex — 25 minutes from Chelmsford, 15 from Colchester, free parking, weather-proof. Sessions from £195 including 10 edited images. See full details on the family photoshoots page, or send us an enquiry via the booking form.
