In a nutshell:
- The best advice is to choose clothes that you feel comfortable in, and that are simple and neutral as possible.
- Choose clothes that make you feel good.
- Choose clothes without an illustration, text or logo on.
- For adults, one plain colour is best – although bear in mind that plain black or white clothes don’t photograph that well.
- Mums, choose clothes with a bit of texture for the most flattering effect.
- For children, stripes, spots and repeating patterns are fine.
- You can also change outfits partway through the session if you’d like – when we head outdoors can be a great time to do this. Bear in mind your child’s willingness to change clothes, though – if your baby really doesn’t like being changed, it’s better to minimise the number of outfit changes.
- Take your watches off beforehand, to give skin a chance to relax and any watch marks to disappear. Watches can be quite distracting in close-ups of you holding your baby. The same goes for hairbands on wrists.
Do have a think about what you’re wearing in advance. Without too much preparation we managed to roughly coordinate, which really helped the shots. A bit of pre-thought on that part really helps.”
Jessica
Tips for the whole family
- Choose clothes you feel comfortable and relaxed in
- Solid, block colours work best
- Think about the colour palette between you all
- Avoid illustrations, text and logos
- Avoid matching outfits
- Remember you can change outfits when we head outdoors
- Take off watches, and keep your phone in a bag
Colour combinations
- Blues, whites and denim
- Different shades and patterns with the same colour
- Soft, gentle colours
- Bright colours, vibrant patterns
If we’re taking a group shot and you’re all wearing the same colour, it’ll look a bit staged – a mix of colours can look more natural.
Bear in mind that if one of you is wearing a bright colour, the viewer’s eye will be drawn straight to that outfit in a photograph – I recommend that if anyone’s wearing a bright colour, it’s your child! Otherwise try to keep to more neutral colours – or to all be wearing something quite bright and eye-catching.
Mums
- Textured fabrics are the most flattering
- Layers are also flattering
- A simple top and jeans works well
- Long maxi dresses are good options
- Avoid short or knee length dresses if we’re taking photographs at home
- Avoid sleeveless tops or any tops that might show your bra straps
- Avoid wearing shorts or ripped jeans
- If you’re conscious of carrying baby weight, a loose fitting cotton top works well, or a shirt. Texture and layers are your friends!
- Many new mums are not yet wearing their rings again yet – if you usually wear an engagement or wedding ring, don’t worry if they don’t fit yet, that’s part of the story! If it’s borderline, though, it’s worth giving the rings a try as you might miss having them in close-up shots where your baby is holding your fingers:
- Have something to tie your hair back (or clip your fringe) in case it’s a windy day.
- Think Hush, Toast, Baukjen or Me+Em.
Dads
- A plain cotton shirt or a polo shirt works well
- Chinos or jeans are a great option
- White shirts can look too formal – opt for a soft or muted colour instead
- Avoid shorts if you can (as they can be quite distracting in photographs and affect where a photograph can be cropped)
- Avoid logos or text
- Lightweight cotton T-shirts don’t photograph well – if it’s a hot day, you’re better off in a polo shirt.
- Think All Saints or Ralph Lauren.
Outdoor clothing
- Brightly coloured wellies, scarves or coats brighten up grey weather
- Choose a coat that’s not too bulky
- Try to wear coats with a similar thickness to each other
Pregnancy
- Choose a snug top that shows the contours of your bump
- Choose empire lines where possible
- An open shirt or delicate dressing gown / kimono works well for shots of just your bump
- Long dresses also photograph well, especially if they’re fairly fitted
- If you’d like a photograph in your underwear or nude, I’m very happy to take those too. Choose simple and soft underwear that doesn’t dig in.
- Think Seraphine or JoJo Maman Bebe.
- If I’m taking photographs of both of you, and Dad has also put on some sympathy pregnancy weight, gently suggest something that’s not totally skin tight! A cotton shirt works well. See the section on ‘Dads’ for more suggestions.
Newborns
- Have a few changes of clothes to hand (your baby’s unlikely to make it through the whole session in the same outfit!)
- Plain white or pale babygros work well
- Avoid collars
- Avoid dungarees
- Fabrics to swaddle your baby
- Avoid text or illustrations
- Baby Mori and Superlove Merino have some great options for simple babysuits, or Newbie have some pretty patterned options.
- A babygro without feet works really well for photographing their tiny toes.
- Newborn outfits can look cute, but bear in mind that part of what we’re capturing is that special newborn phase. Dressing them in trousers and shirts or dresses doesn’t emphasise their newness as well as a babygro does!
Babies
- Choose simple clothes with plain colours
- With dresses, have matching nappy pants
- With dungarees, a slightly too tight pair is better than too loose.
- Even if your baby is already wearing clothes, consider onesies as part of the mix – they really show how young and tiny your baby still is!
- For day clothes, choose simple clothes with plain colours – and ideally not too fitted if your baby is in nappies, or the clothes will bunch around the nappy. Pure Baby have some great options. A cute playsuit or romper can be a better option, as then we can relax completely about nappies – they won’t show!
- Check out Pure Baby, Mori, Newbie or Marie Chantal.
- Check that the outfits you’ve chosen still fit your baby. It’s amazing how quickly they grow, or how something you imagine will fit actually balloons around them. With dungarees, it’s much better to have a slightly too tight pair than slightly too big.
Siblings
- Choose similar colours for each child
- Choose simple clothes with plain colours
- Avoid text – writing doesn’t photograph well, and can spoil a photograph
Girls
- If you choose a dress, have some trousers or leggings ready too for when your daughter is sitting down
- Coloured tights are best for outdoors
- Choose clothes your daughter likes wearing. If she’s a tom boy, embrace that!
- Avoid illustrations or text
- Have hair clips to hand in case of wind
- Think Boden, John Lewis or The White Company. For something smarter, try Rachel Riley.
Boys
Avoid clothes that have a big graphic on the front like a dinosaur or tractor.
Stripes, checks and spots are ok but if you can avoid them, so much the better!
The aim is for the clothes to not be distracting in the photographs – we want all attention on your little one.
Jeans or chinos work really well, and this is definitely the moment for those cute little trainers.
Think Trotters, John Lewis or Crew Clothing. Rachel Riley is good for more formal options.
Fancy dress
- If your child loves dressing up in a particular outfit, we can absolutely incorporate that into the photographs!
- The more your child enjoys the experience, the more their character will come through.
- If getting your child out of a fancy dress outfit can be a challenge, I’d suggest starting the session in “normal” clothes, and getting the fancy dress clothes out partway through.
Glasses
- If you usually wear glasses, feel free to wear them.
- If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes don’t, I’d recommend going without.
- If you’d like to do some with your glasses and some without, remember to bring your glasses case.
- Clean them thoroughly beforehand, which will reduce glare on them.
- If you have glasses with an anti glare coating, choose these ones! Otherwise, use your smallest pair of glasses.
- It’s a good idea to bring a wipe to clean them in case they mist up.
- Please avoid transition lens glasses, it’s not great when they suddenly change to dark sunglasses mode!
Family photography
Taking photographs parents will love by giving children the morning they want. Mischief and surprises are welcome here!
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