Thoughtful wardrobe inspiration for photographs that feel like you.
One of the questions I get asked most before a photo session is: “What should we wear?”
What you wear really does make a difference in how your photographs look and feel. Color, texture, movement, and the way everyone's clothing works together can make the finished images feel even more beautiful and intentional.
Whether you're preparing for a family, couple, maternity, newborn, or individual portrait session, these same simple principles can help you choose clothing that photographs beautifully while still feeling like you. But getting dressed for your session shouldn't be stressful. You don't need to look like someone else, follow a strict color palette, or have everyone in matching outfits.
My favorite approach is simple:
Start with clothes you already own and love, or use your photo session as an excuse to choose something special. Pinterest and Instagram can be wonderful sources of inspiration. You don't need to recreate an outfit exactly—pay attention to why you love it, then make it your own.
If you're dressing more than one person, start with one person or one piece you really love. Maybe it's a beautiful dress, a textured sweater, a favorite pair of jeans, or something new you've been wanting an excuse to buy. Then build everyone else's outfits around it.
If your starting piece has several colors, pull some of those colors into the other outfits. If it's simple and neutral, you have more freedom to introduce color or pattern elsewhere.
Think coordinated, not matching.
Soft neutrals and earthy colors photograph beautifully and make an easy foundation: cream, oatmeal, camel, taupe, chocolate, olive, and other natural tones.
Dusty blue, denim, sage, muted pink, rust, mustard, burgundy, and deeper colors can all be beautiful too.
Don't be afraid to mix warm and cool tones. If you're using a lot of blue or denim, adding some warmth through cream, camel, brown, rust, or another warm tone can make the overall palette feel beautifully balanced.
A little color goes a long way.
If there's one styling trick I wish everyone knew, it's this:
Texture photographs beautifully
Chunky knits, wool, linen, cotton, denim, corduroy, embroidery, lace, eyelet, and gauze add depth without making an outfit feel busy. Fabrics with dimension and texture catch the light beautifully, and I especially love lace, gauze, sheer layers, and lightweight fabrics that allow a little light to pass through.
Patterns are welcome too. Florals, stripes, gingham, and subtle prints can bring personality to your wardrobe. If one person is wearing a pattern, try pulling colors from it into simpler pieces for everyone else.
Layers create visual interest
Layers—cardigans, jackets, overshirts, vests—add even more dimension and give us options during the session. The goal isn't to add more. It's to create visual interest without everything competing for attention.
Accessories add personality
Accessories can be a subtle way to bring in personality, too. A favorite hat, scarf, jewelry, hair bow, watch, or other meaningful detail can make an outfit feel more like you. You don't need many, sometimes one thoughtful detail is enough.
We're probably not going to spend your session standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera. You may be walking, sitting, snuggling, dancing, chasing your children, picking someone up, or running through a field.
Choose clothing that moves with you.
- Flowing dresses and skirts can create beautiful movement
- Relaxed shirts, soft fabrics, and comfortable pants let bodies move naturally
- Choose pieces that fit well and give your body some shape without feeling restrictive
Don't be afraid to show a little skin, either. Rolled sleeves, bare arms, ankles, an open neckline, or little legs peeking out can help break up layers of clothing and make photographs feel more natural and relaxed. For little ones especially, bare feet and those wonderfully chunky baby legs are often much more fun to photograph than having everything covered by leggings or socks.
And if you have a tattoo you love, let it show. Tattoos can be part of your personality and your story, and I love incorporating those personal details into photographs.
For children especially, comfort matters. If something is itchy, stiff, falling down, or constantly needs adjusting, they'll let us know. For girls wearing dresses or skirts, I recommend a pair of simple, neutral-colored shorts underneath so they can run, climb, and play freely without worrying about underwear showing. Neutral colors help them blend in rather than drawing attention in the photographs. Choose clothes they can play in, move in, and be themselves in.
Mix colors, textures, and tones instead of putting everyone in the same thing. If one outfit has more pattern or color, let the others be a little simpler. And try to keep everyone at roughly the same level of formality.
A good test is to lay all the outfits together on the bed. Do they feel like they belong together? If yes, you're probably there.
For individual portraits, you have even more freedom. Think about how you want the photographs to feel—relaxed, romantic, artistic, polished, bold—and choose clothing that helps tell that story while still feeling like you.
Your wardrobe should feel at home in the environment we're photographing.
For warmer weather, think linen, cotton, gauze, flowing dresses, and breathable fabrics. Cooler weather is perfect for chunky knits, corduroy, denim, wool, boots, and layers.
An at-home session may feel softer and more relaxed, while a city session can handle more structure or contrast. Natural outdoor locations work beautifully with texture, movement, and organic colors.
You don't need to match your surroundings—just let them inform your choices.
There aren't many hard rules, but I generally recommend avoiding:
- Large logos or words
- Neon colors
- Overly busy patterns
- Too many competing prints
These can pull attention away from you and the connection we're photographing.
Most importantly, don't wear something simply because you think it's what you're supposed to wear for photos.
If you don't normally like wearing dresses, you don't need to wear a dress. If your child has never worn suspenders in their life, their photo session probably doesn't need to be the first time.
Choose something that feels natural to you, while still being thoughtful about how it photographs.
These photographs aren't really about the clothes.
They're about the way your child reaches for your hand. The way your partner looks at you. The way your family fits together right now.
Wardrobe simply creates a beautiful frame around all of that.
So use this guide as inspiration, not a set of rules. Wear an old favorite or buy something special. Add some texture. Bring in a little color. Think about how everything works together.
And if you're standing in front of your closet wondering which outfit will photograph best, send me a picture. Styling help is part of the experience, and I'm always happy to help you put everything together.
Mountain Leaf Photography
