What to Wear for Your Family Session | Arlington Heights Family Photographer

With family session season in full swing, I wanted to share a few tips and tricks to look best during your family portrait session! Picking outfits can be tricky, especially with little ones that you want to keep warm and stylish! In this blog, I’ll include some resources to help you pick clothing that's perfect for you and your loved ones!

1. Let’s Get Comfy!

Family sessions are often filled with candid moments, which can often be disrupted by clothing being too big for your little one. The key is comfort. For little ones wearing dresses and skirts, I always recommend leggings underneath and un-collared shirts for little ones to avoid constant readjustment of the collar as it can cover your little ones face. When selecting your clothing it’s good to be warm and comfortable to truly enjoy being in the moment!

2. Leave the Heels at Home

Ladies, let’s talk shoes. Many of my family sessions are held outdoors in a naturistic setting at a park, forest preserve or private estate with families that are active and love to spend time outdoors! For these sessions, leave the heels at home! When it comes to footwear I can’t recommend boots enough. From getting stuck in the mud to restricting clients from playing in the grass running with their little one, boots or flats are the way to go! For flats, I can’t recommend Rothy’s enough for clients as they are not only made from recycled water bottles (amazing), can be washed in the washing machine and are stylish and comfortable!

3. Choosing a Color Palette

Coordinating your family's outfits will always photograph better than everyone wearing the exact same thing. Choose one or two complementary colors and build everyone's outfit around that palette using different shades, textures, and layers. This creates a timeless look while still allowing each family member's personality to shine through.

When it comes to patterns, less is more. Try to avoid mixing busy florals with bold stripes or pairing multiple loud prints together, as they can compete for attention in your photographs. Instead, if one family member wears a floral pattern, balance it with solid colors or subtle textures on everyone else for a cohesive, polished look.

Be sure to check back for more resources, tips, tricks and recommendations! xo ~ Ash