What to Wear For Family & Maternity Photo Sessions

Coordinate, Don’t Match

Choose a loose color palette – three or four colors that work well together. If you tend toward cooler tones (blues, grays), try adding warmth (rust, ochre, clay). Rich neutrals like cream, camel, olive, and navy are always a safe bet.

Start with an outfit you love, and build around it. Don’t overthink it — maybe even throw everything on the bed and just swap out the items that clash.

For most families, this is plenty to think about, but if you get excited about outfits and color palettes, here are some suggestions based on the location and timing of your photo session. Here are some ideas –

• Rich, earthy tones contrast well with a blue ocean (or blue jeans).
• Patterns, textures, and splashes of color bring foggy sessions to life.
• In the forest, avoid greens that might match the trees. Red can work, but adds strong contrast.
• At sunrise and sunset, there’s plenty of color in the sky. Neutral colors work best.

Patterns & Texture

Solid colors are an easy choice. Patterned dresses can work well (especially for moms or kids), but neon and loud prints can reflect oddly and distract from the moment.

Avoid large blocks of black or pure white when possible — they tend to feel harsh on camera.

Texture adds depth to your family photos. Knit sweaters, elbow patches, a corduroy collar — these tactile details bring depth to your photos. Natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and denim photograph beautifully.

Comfort Wins. Always.

No one looks good when they’re tugging at a sleeve or sweating through synthetic fabric. Choose pieces that feel soft, breathable, and like you.

If your toddler insists on rain boots with their dress or wants to wear the same sweatshirt all week… lean in. These quirks are often the very moments you’ll love most in your photos. And, let’s be real, any outfit looks better than a cranky kiddo :).

Layers and Accessories Are Your Friend

Layers help us work with the Bay Area’s unpredictable weather and add variety to your session. They also tend to come on and off throughout a session, which naturally adds variety (like a sneaky outfit change :).

Accessories also add a lot of depth and personality to your photos. Hats, jewelry, and belts are easy additions – just make sure they feel comfortable. Flowy items like scarves are really fun because they show movement and wind.

Maternity-Specific Ideas

You don’t have to glam up (unless you want to). Some beautiful, easy options:

• A flowy dress that pairs well with the environment we’re photographing in
• A fitted dress that flatters your bump
• Jeans with a long cardigan or tunic for a casual look
• An oversized button-down shirt for more intimate, editorial shots

Wear what makes you feel grounded, beautiful, and at ease.

Indoor vs. Outside: A Few Specifics

→ If we’re indoors:

• Light, neutral tones reflect natural light and work well in cozy, dimmer settings
• Avoid deep red or green (they can cast onto skin and walls)
• Consider your home’s palette when choosing your clothing
  

→ If we’re outside:

Dress for movement — you might sit, climb, or kneel during our session. Layers help with fog, wind, and shifting temps.

Also, shoes! This is location-dependent, but for most of my sessions, shoes should be comfortable and somewhat trail-friendly (not a lot of high heels at my sessions). If we are headed to the beach and the weather looks warm, expect that shoes will come off and feet will get wet! I often wear sandals to beach sessions because it’s so much easier than having to dry my feet and remove the sand before walking home.