What to Wear Guide


Thank you for choosing Amy Leigh Photography to take your family photos! I look forward to working with you. I can say with certainty that all of my clients worry about how to dress for their photos. Over time, I've come up with a fool proof method that has resulted in clients who feel confident on photo day. 


Here are some general guidelines that will help you choose the perfect clothing for your family's photo session:

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  • Dress your family like you do on a typical day. If your little one hates jeans, please don't make him wear them. If your husband's summer attire is polo shirts and khaki shorts, just roll with it. You will find the the images will look more authentic and your family will feel more comfortable during the session. 

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  • Choose clothing that coordinates. It can be tempting to match everyone in identical outfits (especially along gender lines), but I discourage this because it can make the final images look a little “stiff.” By choosing a color palette that you love and dressing everyone around it, you will create a family that looks like they belong together while still celebrating everyone’s uniqueness. Plus, color coordinating will hide any individual article of clothing that isn’t “perfect” to you.

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  • Layers are your friend. Not only will they make it easier to create each outfit, but they will allow you some flexibility with unpredictable weather. In addition, layers will allow you to add variety to your images without having to change clothes mid-session. 
Family enjoying sunset together at beach during golden hour while embracing on the shore.

3 Secrets To Great Outfits:

Texture

Accessories

Color

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3 Style Killers

Sleeveless Shirts

Character Tees & Large Logos

Loud Patterns

A family stands together smiling under a wooden gazebo in an autumn garden setting.
A loving family shares a tender moment together outdoors in a sunlit wooded setting.

With these rules in mind, here is my secret method for family clothing selection:

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  • Determine who is the most difficult to dress. Choices include: your daughter who is notorious picky but has a current favorite outfit that she is likely to wear without complaint, your husband who had three nice shirts to his name, or you, because there is one pair of pants that makes you forget what childbearing has done to your body. Everyone difficult? Assemble the must use pieces of clothing for each family member on the bed and continue.

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  • Look at the colors you’ve assembled so far. Use the existing color palette and the knowledge of who you have left to dress to decide on 2-3 colors. Favorites include: gray/navy/pink, teal/yellow/blue, orange/blue/brown, green/blue, purple/light blue, gray/red, yellow/blue/green.

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  • Add articles of clothing from closets (or stores, if you must). Different shades of the same color are very forgiving so you don’t even need to worry about choosing the same exact shade. Use accessories like necklaces, scarves, or shoes to add bursts of color.

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Take a photo send to your photographer if you have questions. They are an invaluable resource and do not mind providing feedback (trust me, they don’t). Plus, if you get a glowing review, you’ll feel amazing about yourself!

Group of people walking together on a sandy beach at sunset with golden sky and ocean waves in background.

As you can see in these images and in the ones I’ve posted above (of real clients), outfit selection varies from family to family. In a Pinterest world where we are pressured to do everything just perfectly as moms, just be true to your family and your photos will follow!

A couple in casual fall attire stands near a stone wall with autumn foliage and a pond in the background.