Client Guide

What to Wear

One of the first questions I hear before a session is, “What should we wear?”

I love helping families choose outfits, and I’ve put together a few simple tips to make it easier.

I often suggest starting with one key piece — for example, Mum’s favourite outfit or a special item for another family member, like a patterned baby romper. From there, it’s much easier to build the rest of the family’s looks around that piece, ensuring everything feels coordinated and complementary.

Ladies

I suggest neutral or earthy tones. Textures always photograph beautifully, and you really can’t go wrong with linen. Think longer, flowy dresses, jeans paired with a relaxed, baggy jumper, and soft, natural fabrics.

I’d avoid big prints and oversized florals, as they can be distracting in your photos.

Gents

Skip the business look — no white collared shirts. Go for loose linen shirts or a plain tee with chinos, shorts, or linen pants. Comfort is key, so if it stops you from lifting your little one or will end up soaked in the ocean, skip it.

Earthy tones always work beautifully, and black or grey tees are timeless.

Kids

Don’t force anyone to wear something they don’t like — comfort and happiness make for the best photos.

For toddlers, a nappy cover or overalls work perfectly to keep nappies out of sight. Tees, linen shirts and shorts are great for boys, while plain dresses or tutus are always sweet for girls.

Color Palette

Start by choosing a palette of 3-5 colours as your base — it’s the easiest way to create a cohesive look without feeling too “matchy.” Think in terms of tones: earthy shades, soft neutrals, or gentle pastels.

Coordinate and don't match

Pick colours that complement each other rather than everyone wearing the exact same thing. For example, avoid identical tops for you and your partner, or matching dresses for the kids. Instead, mix and match within your palette to create a natural, effortless style across the whole family.

Colours

Try and avoid bold and bright colours as they can be distracting and stand out too much particularly in the outdoor nature environments I shoot in.

Choose a feature patern

I suggest keeping patterns to just one/two family member’s outfit, and dressing everyone else in solid colours that complement it. Too many patterns competing in the same shot can feel busy and take the focus away from your faces and connections.If you have a patterned outfit you have chosen, you can pull colours from the pattern to inject into other family members outfits.

Add Some Texture

Textures photograph beautifully and add so much depth to your images. Think knits, waffle fabrics, linen, corduroy, or lace — they bring a subtle richness to your styling. Pieces with movement, like flowy skirts or dresses, also look amazing as they catch the light and create a sense of life and energy in your photos.

Fit your outfit to your locations

Keep your session location in mind when choosing your outfits. Think about the colours and tones already around you, and choose a palette that complements the setting. Soft, earthy tones can work beautifully at the beach, while warmer tones may complement a location surrounded by autumn foliage. The goal is to choose colours that blend beautifully with your surroundings without competing with them.

Hair and Makeup

Light makeup will work best for the session. If you are someone who does their nails, make sure they are painted. If not keep them natural.

Plan your outfits in advance

I always recommend you try on your outfit before the day. The more time you allow yourself to plan your outfits, the less stressed you’ll be. Plus, it never hurts to have options especially when you’re dressing your kids.