If you’re anything like me – you’ve booked the photo session, stare into your closet and think “I literally have nothing to wear”.  As a Cincinnati family photographer who shoots lifestyle family, newborn, and maternity sessions, helping my clients coordinate outfits is one of my favorite parts of the process. It truly makes such a difference in how your images feel. The goal is always building something cohesive, emotional, and timeless instead of distracting or overly styled all while being true to yourself.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection, comfort, and telling your story in a way that feels just like you.

I’m always going to recommend neutrals

Neutrals will always be your safest and honestly most beautiful foundation. Think soft creams, warm beiges, muted browns, gentle grays, and earthy tones. These shades photograph beautifully in any setting and keep the focus where it belongs…on you!

But!! Don’t be afraid to incorporate some color to add some depth.

If your home has warmth, or you’re drawn to richer tones, layering in soft greens, dusty blues, or even deeper shades can add so much depth to your gallery. The key is keeping it all cohesive while avoiding anything overly bold or distracting.

Ok but what if you like really LOVE color…

If you’re someone who gravitates towards bold colors, mismatched patterns, or outfits your kids proudly picked out all by themselves… you don’t have to tone that down. I’m never going to ask you to. There is so much beauty in letting your kids show up exactly as they are in this season and just matching that energy.

As a Cincinnati lifestyle photographer, I’m always here to help you create some kind of balance where things still feel cohesive, but not overly controlled. Maybe that looks like pairing brighter pieces with a few neutral staples or maybe it’s repeating a few tones throughout everyone’s outfits so it still photographs beautifully.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s personality.

Some of the most meaningful galleries come from families who embrace the chaos a little – the twirly dresses, the rain boots, the unexpected color combinations. It tells a story that’s authentic, comfortable, and definitely yours.

Texture & Patterns Bring Your Images to Life

One of the biggest things I recommend to my clients as a Cincinnati lifestyle photographer is the need to incorporate textures and patterns – even if it’s something super subtle.

Think:

• Linen dresses
• Flowy, light fabrics
• Chunky knits
• Soft cottons
• Woven fabrics
• Denim
• Gentle florals or minimal patterns

These elements add so much dimension and movement to your images. Without them, outfits tend to feel flat. But with them, your photos feel rich, layered, and alive.

Whatever you do – don’t all wear the same color

Coordinating absolutely does not mean totally matching.

If everyone shows up in the exact same shade, you lose separation and dimension (and yes… it can create that “floating heads” effect we really want to avoid). Instead, think of your outfits as a palette that all work together rather than duplicates.

Mix your tones and shades and let each person actually feel like themselves…just within a cohesive look.

Dress comfy and remain true to yourself

You should feel like you in your session.

If you never wear super formal outfits, you’re probably not going to feel comfortable putting one on for the family photos. It’s good to shoot for something that’s similar to your everyday style, just slightly elevated. Think comfortable, flattering, and natural. 

When you feel good, it shows. And at the end of the day, that matters way more than something perfectly curated but uncomfortable to you.

Some ground rules to help…

As your Cincinnati lifestyle family photographer, these little tips go a long way:

• Always dress mom first then build everyone else around her outfit
• Avoid neons (especially with newborns – the color reflects onto baby’s skin)
• Don’t choose outfits you would never ever normally wear
• Try to stay away from logos and super distracting graphics

In home sessions: keep things natural

In home sessions are supposed to feel relaxed and lived in and most true to you. I do still recommend mixing up fabrics and textures. I also love recommend keeping things flowy or oversized – they photograph beautifully and it keeps things more home-y and natural. 

Don’t forget about feet. Barefoot is always my favorite option but socks are great too. Dads typically tend to be most comfortable in socks anyway.

Skip the shoes completely if you can…I feel like your eye gravitates towards them and it pulls the attention away from the emotion in the photo.

The little details matter

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that pull everything together:

• Remove or touch up chipped nail polish
• Wear jewelry you love and wear often
• Add personality with a favorite hat or accessory
• Let your kids bring a comfort item if it feels meaningful

These details help your session feel personal instead of posed.

My favorite places to shop…

• Zara (my favorite, especially for kids!)
• Fostered Collection
• H&M
• Gap
• Old Navy
• Torrid
• Quince
• Boden
• The Simple Folk
• Free People
• Target

Amazon is great in a pinch or if you need something specific you can’t find, but be very careful! I’ve found the quality isn’t always there and can sometimes be distracting. Basically if it seems like the item is too good to be true – it likely isn’t worth it unless you have some backup options!

Final thoughts

As a Cincinnati lifestyle photographer, family and newborn photographer, my goal is always to make your outfits feel true to you, comfy and natural so you can relax, play, and love on your family.

Your outfits should just support your story and never overpower it.

When in doubt, always choose comfort, choose connection, and choose pieces that feel most like you. That’s what creates photos that don’t just look beautiful but feel like something you’ll actually want to hold onto forever.

If you ever feel stuck, I’ve put together a Pinterest board full of outfit inspo. I’m also always here to help you plan every little detail because you don’t have to figure this out alone!