WHAT TO WEAR
Your Session Styling Guide
WHAT TO WEAR
Your Session Styling Guide
Coordinate, don't match.
You don’t need everyone wearing the same color or even the same “style.” The goal is to choose colors and textures that look beautiful together while still letting everyone feel like themselves.
soft spring
Spring is the perfect time to soften things up with light, muted colors that complement all that fresh greenery. Cream, light denim, beige, sage, dusty rose and soft blue create a beautiful palette that feels fresh and seasonal without being overly colorful.
Think flowy dresses, light knits, linen, denim, soft button-ups and relaxed layers. Subtle florals and delicate patterns work beautifully here too—just pair them with solid colors pulled from the pattern to keep everyone's outfits feeling connected.
You don't need everyone dressed in pastels! Start with 2–3 soft neutrals and add one or two gentle colors throughout the family's outfits. The result feels effortless, romantic and perfectly suited to those fresh spring sessions.
summer
Summer sessions are all about keeping things light, comfortable and effortless. White and cream, tan, denim, terracotta, muted blue and olive pair beautifully with green fields, beaches and warm summer evenings without feeling too bright or distracting.
Reach for linen, cotton, flowy dresses, relaxed button-ups, denim and lightweight layers that allow you to move and stay comfortable. Bare feet at the beach, rolled sleeves, sandals and simple accessories can make everything feel even more relaxed and natural.
Try to avoid super-bright or neon colors that can reflect onto skin, and instead choose 3–4 softer shades from the palette to mix throughout everyone's outfits. Most importantly, dress for the weather—you'll look your best when you're comfortable enough to move, play and snuggle without worrying about your clothes.
autumn
Autumn is the perfect time to lean into warm colors, cozy textures and layers. Cream, oatmeal, camel, rust, olive and chocolate all work beautifully with changing leaves and golden fall light without competing with the scenery.
Try mixing knits, denim, corduroy, flannel and flowy fabrics, and don't be afraid to add a subtle plaid or pattern. Layers like cardigans, jackets and overshirts are an easy way to bring another color or texture into your family's outfits while keeping everyone comfortable.
You don't have to wear every color in the palette! Choose 3–4 shades you love, mix them throughout everyone's outfits and let the beautiful autumn backdrop do the rest.
winter
Snow creates the most beautiful, bright backdrop, which means warm, rich colors really get a chance to shine. Cream, camel, chocolate, deep evergreen, burgundy and muted blue all photograph beautifully against the snow while keeping your photos feeling soft, cozy and timeless.
Instead of reaching for big, bulky winter coats, think layers! Thermal shirts hidden underneath, chunky knits, cardigans, sweater dresses, wool jackets, scarves, mittens and cozy hats will keep everyone warm while still allowing your outfits to show. You can even layer leggings or thermals underneath dresses and pants for a little extra warmth.
And don't be afraid of cream just because we're surrounded by white! Warmer neutrals create beautiful softness against the snow. Choose 3–4 colors from the palette, add plenty of texture and layers, and you'll have that perfectly cozy winter look without everyone looking bundled from head to toe.
Earthy & warm
Warm, natural tones are always a beautiful choice for photos. Think creamy neutrals, soft oatmeal, camel, olive, rich rust and chocolate brown. Instead of matching everyone exactly, choose a few colors from the palette and mix them throughout your outfits.
Play with different textures and layers—cozy knits, linen, denim, corduroy, flowy dresses and simple jackets all add interest without feeling too busy. A subtle pattern mixed with solid colors works beautifully, too!
The goal isn't to perfectly match—it's to look like you all belong together while still feeling like yourselves.
soft & neutral
Soft, muted colours create that light, effortless look that photographs beautifully in almost any setting. Think ivory, taupe, tan, dusty blue, sage and muted rose—colors that complement each other without feeling overly matched.
Try pairing light neutrals with one or two soft colors, and bring in interest through different fabrics and textures. Flowy dresses, soft knits, denim, linen and subtle patterns are all perfect for keeping your outfits from feeling too plain.
Don't be afraid to mix warm and cool tones! The goal is a palette that feels soft, natural and beautifully put together without trying too hard.
Neutral — Cozy In-Home
In-home sessions are all about feeling comfortable, relaxed and completely yourselves. Soft neutrals like cream, oatmeal, beige, taupe, warm brown and touches of olive create a cozy, timeless look without taking attention away from the moments happening between you.
Think soft knits, relaxed denim, cardigans, linen, comfy dresses and bare feet—pieces that feel natural for curling up on the couch, playing on the floor or snuggling together in bed. Mixing textures keeps an all-neutral palette from feeling flat or overly simple.
Most importantly, don't feel like you need to dress up just because we're taking photos. Choose pieces that feel like you at home—just a little more put together.
moody & cozy
If you love deeper, richer colors, this palette is for you. Charcoal, chocolate, tan, deep green, burgundy and navy create a warm, cozy look with just enough contrast to make your photos feel rich and timeless.
Balance those darker shades with warm neutrals, cozy knits and plenty of texture. Think chunky sweaters, corduroy, denim, flowy dresses, layered jackets and subtle patterns. You don't need everyone dressed in dark colors—a cream or tan piece mixed in will soften everything beautifully.
Choose a few shades from the palette and let them flow naturally between everyone's outfits. The result feels cozy, romantic and a little bit moody without becoming too dark or heavy.
beach
Beach sessions are all about keeping things soft, relaxed and effortless. Cream, sand, oatmeal, muted blue, soft sage and warm tan complement the natural colors of the beach beautifully without competing with the water, sand and sky.
Think flowy dresses, linen, lightweight button-ups, rolled pants and soft, breathable fabrics that move with the ocean breeze. Skip the shoes and go barefoot whenever you can—it instantly makes everything feel more natural and relaxed.
Try to avoid everyone wearing matching white shirts and jeans. Instead, choose 3–4 colors from the palette and mix them throughout everyone's outfits using different tones and textures. Most importantly, wear something you can move in—we'll be walking through the sand, snuggling, playing and probably getting a little wet!
christmas
Christmas sessions are the perfect excuse to add a little extra warmth and texture to your outfits without feeling like everyone needs to match. Cream, oatmeal, camel, forest green, burgundy and chocolate create a festive palette that feels cozy, classic and timeless.
Think chunky knits, velvet, corduroy, cozy cardigans, dresses, overalls and subtle plaid. A little pattern goes a long way—try choosing one plaid or patterned piece and pulling colors from it for everyone else's outfits rather than putting the whole family in matching Christmas prints.
And don't forget the cozy option! Christmas jammies are always welcome, especially for that sweet *Night Before Christmas* feeling. Choose soft knits, classic prints or coordinating colors rather than perfectly matching sets, and you'll have photos that feel festive without being overly themed.
DO ✓
• Choose 3–5 coordinating colors
• Mix neutrals with a couple richer colors
• Layer cardigans, jackets, knits and overshirts
• Mix subtle textures
• Think about your home if you're planning to print photos
• Dress comfortably enough to move, sit, snuggle and play
• Lay everyone's outfits together before your session and take a photo.
AVOID ✕
• Everyone wearing identical outfits
• Large logos or graphics
• Neon/very bright colours
• Tiny, high-contrast patterns that photograph strangely
• Too many competing patterns
• Athletic sneakers with otherwise dressy outfits
• Clothing that needs constant adjusting
• Buying something just because you think it's what you're “supposed” to wear.
And remember: black, white, denim and patterns aren't automatically ‘don'ts.’ They can all photograph beautifully when they're styled intentionally.
start with one outfit
Don't try to choose everyone's clothes at once. Start with the person whose outfit is hardest to find.
For example:
Mom chooses: rust floral midi dress
↓
Pull cream from the flowers for daughter's dress
↓
Add Dad in an oatmeal henley + brown pants
↓
Add son in olive knit + tan pants
Done.
Try These Together
CREAM + OLIVE + RUST + TAN
✓ Beautiful together
BURGUNDY + CREAM + DENIM + CAMEL
✓ Beautiful together
SAGE + OATMEAL + DUSTY BLUE + BROWN
✓ Beautiful together
versus
NEON PINK + BRIGHT RED + ROYAL BLUE + LIME
✕ Competing colours
I want your photos to look like you—not like everyone went shopping for matching outfits the night before.
At the end of the day, wear what feels like you.
These palettes and styling tips are here to inspire you, not to give you a list of rules. You don't need a brand-new wardrobe or perfectly coordinated outfits to have beautiful photos.
Choose pieces you feel comfortable and confident in, add a little color and texture, and don't overthink the rest. The most important part of your session isn't what you're wearing, it's the people you're there with and the memories we're creating together.
And if you're stuck, I'm always here to help! Lay everyone's outfits out, snap a quick photo and send it my way. I'm more than happy to help you pull everything together before your session.
Come as you are. I'll take care of the rest.