Family of six standing together outdoors at sunset near a body of water with mountains in the background, smiling at the camera. Salt Flats Photographer | Bonneville Salt Flats Photoshoot
Family of three outdoors in fall with orange and yellow trees in background, woman holding young girl, man standing beside them, all smiling.
A family of five, including two adults and three children, standing together outdoors at sunset with mountains and a lake in the background, all smiling and dressed casually. Salt Flats Photographer | Bonneville Salt Flats Photoshoot
A woman helping a young child walk along a grassy area near a lake with a canoe, trees, and a wooden structure in the background in a natural outdoor setting.
A happy family of six posing on a vast salt flat with mountains in the background during sunset. The family includes two adults and four children, all smiling. Salt Flats Photographer | Bonneville Salt Flats Photoshoot
Smiling woman and man outdoors holding a French Bulldog puppy, surrounded by trees and sunlight.

Family Session Style Guide

What do I wear to my shoot?

This is a great question and plays a big role in how your photos turn out. To make it easy and fun, here are my top tips:

Colors

  • Stick to similar tones without overly matching (avoid everyone in blue jeans and a white t-shirt). Neutral colors are always a good choice – use 3-4 neutral shades as your base, allowing everyone to coordinate their outfits (e.g., grey, tan, cream, blue, lighter brown, and white).

  • Primary colors or their variations work well (e.g., yellow/mustard, red/maroon, blue/navy/royal). When adding color, choose 2-3 main colors and one accent pop of color. Avoid fluorescent or extremely bright colors – strong colors can be great but not fluorescent. If you wear strong colors, make it a feature rather than the whole outfit (e.g., mustard jumper with denim jeans), and avoid having everyone in strong colors.

  • Try to minimize black – especially if one person wears a lot of black and another wears a lot of white.

  • For newborn shoots, stick to simple colors (grey, black, and white with pops of soft blues and pinks) and simple clothing.

  • Consider the location of your shoot – for a salt flats setting, wear “beachy” colors (e.g., white, cream, soft blues). For a shoot with green trees, consider colors that contrast with greenery, like warm shades of red, orange, or yellow, along with some neutrals.

Style

  • Textures and layers look fantastic – consider layering a kimono or shawl over a tank top, using lacy or textured materials, wearing a textured beanie on a cold day, adding scarves and boots, or pairing t-shirts with jumpers, jackets, and vests.

  • Match the style of your clothes to the location (e.g., wearing heels and a fancy dress in the woods may look out of place). For lifestyle shoots, wear clothes you would normally wear at home without trying to match.

  • If you’re unsure where to start, pick one outfit you love and style the rest of the outfits around it. Ensure everyone feels comfortable in their clothes.

  • Show off your personality in your attire – don’t feel the need to dress plainly if your style is eclectic. You want the photos to represent the real you.

  • Think about your shoes – if you’re wearing a nice dress, pair it with wedges, boots, or heels instead of old flip-flops or sneakers.

  • The most important thing is to feel comfortable in your choices. There's no need to buy a new outfit, though it’s always a good excuse if you want one!

Collage of clothing and accessories for three different casual outfits, including dresses, shirts, jeans, shoes, socks, and jewelry.
Collection of children's and adult's clothing and shoes, including dresses, shirts, pants, and boots in various colors and patterns.
A collection of children's clothing including shirts, dresses, pants, shoes, and accessories in various shades of blue, beige, and brown.
A coordinated display of women's, girls', and toddlers' casual clothing outfits including tops, dresses, jeans, pants, and shoes in neutral, pink, and plaid patterns.
A collection of seven outfits for women, including shirts, dresses, skirts, and shoes, in neutral and earthy tones, with accessories like hats and belts.
Arrangement of casual family outfits with shoes and accessories, featuring items like jeans, dresses, shirts, jackets, and footwear in neutral and earthy tones, suitable for fall or casual wear.
An assortment of children's and adults' fall clothing, including shirts, dresses, sweaters, pants, shoes, and accessories arranged for display.
Family clothing collection including shirts, dresses, pants, jackets, shoes, and hair accessories in various colors and styles.
Array of women's and children's clothing including sweaters, shirts, dresses, jeans, and shoes arranged on a white background.