Family photo sessions can be stressful if you’re not somewhat prepared. We’ve put together this simple guide that will help you plan accordingly and know what to expect. The best and most important piece of advice though is to truly be yourself…. spend the session having fun and being proud of the family you have built!
WHAT TO WEAR
One of the biggest challenges in planning a photo session is deciding what to wear. It’s easy to compare your family’s wardrobe to what others are wearing in their photos and feel tempted to copy their style. The problem is, you might later look at your images and realize the outfits don’t reflect your family’s personality at all. Remember the motto: “You do you!”
Still, a few simple guidelines can help you showcase your family’s unique style without added stress.
Start by choosing Mom’s outfit first (assuming she’ll be in the session). Moms are often the most self-critical in photos, so it’s important to pick something flattering—an outfit she feels confident in and would genuinely wear again. A fitted blazer is a great option in cooler seasons, offering a chance to layer patterns and color while defining the waistline. If dresses are more her style, a soft, flowing dress is always a beautiful and timeless choice.
Once Mom’s outfit is chosen, use it as the foundation for the rest of the family’s color palette. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, textures, and colors—this adds depth and personality to your photos. My biggest “no-no” is everyone showing up in just one or two colors; you want coordination, not a “matchy-matchy” look. Including one or two patterns in your wardrobe choices can create visual interest and naturally introduce multiple colors into the overall scheme.
For a cohesive and visually pleasing color scheme, try choosing tones that complement the season. Jewel tones work beautifully in the fall, while softer shades are ideal for spring and summer. Earth tones are versatile and look great any time of year. And if you plan to display your photos in your home, be sure to keep your home’s color palette in mind when selecting your outfits!
Don’t forget shoes that coordinate with your outfit. Boys’ shoes can be the biggest challenge because, let’s face it, they usually just want to wear tennis shoes! If your boys don’t want to give them up, try compromising with a dressier athletic shoe or a casual sneaker.
To really complete a look, accessorize! Jewelry can make quite an impact and doesn’t have to be expensive.
When in doubt, contact me via text with any questions or even photos. I’m happy to help!
I’ve listed some of my favorite apparel stores below:
Evereve (they have stylists that will actually help you pick figure flattering pieces). This is my favorite store for blazers and jackets.
Anthropology: They have the best dresses! Shop their clearance!
Altar’d State: They offer beautiful tunics and textured pieces, especially for teen girls.
J. Crew – Stylish looks but clean and simple.
Target and Old Navy: Great for those staple items like layering t-shirts. Also, you can find pieces for everyone in the family here without breaking the bank!
Abercrombie: great for guys and gals!
Below are some examples of how other families pulled off their look:
The family above chose a neutral color palate with different textures. The oldest daughter wore a subtle pattern. This photo will look great on any wall!
Summer can sometimes create a challenge because there are less layers. I love how the daughter’s patterned dress and mom’s soft pink gave their wardrobe just enough variety. The boys wore two shades of blue so they weren’t too “matchy matchy”.
Don’t be afraid of pattern. Stripes and plaids can work because they are different sizes.
The above image is great example of two varieties of pattern, both small and large print. Just enough balance of solid black, slight pop of color and coordinated pattern to pull off a beautiful look!
LOCATION
Choosing a location for your family session should be the easy part. Where are you most comfortable spending time together? Do you want to document your family hanging out at home? Do you love spending time in nature or have a special spot that’s meaningful to you? Or do you prefer the energy of the city? These are just a few questions to ask yourself ahead of time.
I do have some tried and true locations that I’ve used over the years. Click on the locations below to view a session from the locations:
Cool Creek Park (Carmel), Coxhall Gardens (Carmel), West Park (Carmel), Villages of West Clay (Carmel), Downtown Zionsville, Lions Park (Zionsville), Potter’s Bridge (Noblesville), Downtown Noblesville, , Newfields ($50 fee – limited hours), Butler Holcomb Gardens, Parking Garage, Holliday Park (Indianapolis), Mass. Ave (downtown Indy), Fountain Square (DT Indy), Central Park (Carmel), Bottleworks District, Maple Lawn Farm (Zionsville) and of course Your Home!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Most family sessions last 60-90 minutes. The flow of the session usually starts out with me getting to know your family a bit then moving into semi-posed photos. As the session moves along, we will start to get the more natural and candid images.
Feel free to bring whatever it takes to keep your family happy. Some families bring props from home (ie. football, stuffed animal, heirloom quilt). I also recommend bringing along a few snacks and bottles of water for the car just in case.
AFTER THE SESSION
You will receive sneak peeks of your session a few days after your session via email or text. Your full gallery will be delivered via email approximately three weeks following your session.