Some notes for how to choose outfits for family photos:
Whose outfit to choose first?
Start with the hardest person to dress (often this is mom, I want you to feel STUNNING at your session, so choosing something that you love first sets you up well for that.
What about style?
Stick with the same style for the outfits - A cocktail dress for mom and a linen dress for your daughter will look super odd together. (I also do not recommend wearing a cocktail dress to your session if you are working with me, that would look out of place for a lifestyle session - It could be great for a classy urban setting or a formal studio session though!)
I love having mom and girls in beautiful flowy dresses, with dad and the boys in Henleys, a nice chambray, and jeans or chinos - I love the storylike vibe that it creates, while keeping dad and the boys comfortable. The trick to this is not putting the guys in stiff button ups, having them in more casual (but still nice) clothes and nice shoes ties it all together while keeping it casual enough for a beautiful lifestyle session.
What textures?
Texture and layers are SO pretty in photos, choosing a combination of different textures (like knits, lace, embroidery, waffle, crinkle, corduroy, etc.,) is really pretty in photos. Adding layers like sweaters, dusters, kimonos, or long flowy skirts and dresses, also adds such depth and interest to your photos.
What patterns?
Stay away from tight/small patterns (like thin stripes) this causes an effect called "moire" that is often impossible to edit out.
I would avoid having too many people in similar patterns - If mom is wearing floral, I would make sure that the other pattern is stripes or polka dots instead of floral as well. Likewise, if your son is wearing stripes, I would have the other pattern be floral instead.
What colors?
The biggest thing with color is: Coordinate but don't match.
Make sure to use lots of neutrals (like cream, brown, or gray) - I like to choose a couple of complementary colors and then mix in lots of neutrals with maybe hints of those colors. For my personal editing style, warm earth tones (caramel, rust, terracotta, maroon, etc.,) work really well as main colors mixed with dusty blue, or jewel tones, and LOTS of neutrals (jeans can work too)
What should we avoid?
Avoid matching, neon and bright colors, stark white, black, logos and graphics, small patterns, lots of busy patterns
Cute photoshoot outfits for babies
Zara (knitwear or rompers)
Cute photoshoot outfits for little girls
Cute photoshoot outfits for little boys
Women's Dresses for Family Photos
My Client Closet (Just kidding - You can't buy these, but you are welcome to borrow from it to use for your session with me!)
Men's clothes for family photos
Passenger (they have some really cool knit sweaters)
Now what?
So you have all the links and all the tips - Now what? Start with one outfit at a time (again, I recommend starting with mom) and then build the rest of the family's outfits around that.
You can screenshot your favorite options on your phone and add them to an album on your phone to see how they look together.
Personalized Styling Assistance
I know that this is a big job! As part of every package, I include personalized styling assistance. You help me with some information about your family style, sizes, and preferences, and then I do the work for you by pulling together some outfits that I think would be a great fit for your family! You can easily shop the links that I save for you, or look in your closet to find similar pieces.
As part of my session experience, mom also has access to my growing client closet that you can borrow from to use at your session!
Heartfelt & Joyful Photography
Hi, my name is
Susannah!
There are too many beautiful little moments to family life and motherhood to let them pass by undocumented.
I crave authenticity, thrive on emotional connection, and see life through a romanticized lens—especially when it comes to capturing the love and chaos of family life.
As a wife, mama, and lover of photographs, I know how quickly these moments pass—the snuggles, the giggles, the fleeting seasons of motherhood. That’s why I’m passionate about creating images that don’t just capture how your family looks but how these moments feel.
Moments like the way your newborn nestles against you to, the laughter on your bouncing toddler's face, the shifting dynamic as you pull your no-longer-little child into your embrace one more time and you laugh together, my sessions are about preserving the stories you’ll hold onto forever.
Let’s create something timeless, meaningful, and uniquely yours—images that will bring you right back to the love and connection of this season, over and over again.
