What to Wear for Your Family Photos: My Favourite Warm-Hearted Tones

If you’re wondering what to wear for your upcoming family photo session, you’re not alone. Choosing outfits can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. The key ingredient to all those relaxed and warm-feeling photos you fell in love with before booking isn’t just about the emotions captured… it’s also deeply connected to the colours and clothes you wear.

As a family photographer, my goal is to help you create images that feel effortless, natural, and truly you. And one of the most powerful tools we can use to do that is colour.

Why Colour Matters

Your outfit selections should ideally work in tandem with my signature editing style and complement the environment we’re shooting in — whether that's a golden field at sunset, the quiet tones of your home, or the soft light of my studio.

Wearing the right tones not only enhances the overall look of your gallery but also brings harmony, depth, and emotional richness to your images.

My Recommended Palette

I always encourage families to lean into rich, earthy, and warm-hearted tones like those in the palette below:

🧡 Earthy Neutrals: soft beige, cream, stone

💚 Muted Greens: sage, eucalyptus

🖤 Deep Contrast: charcoal, forest green

❤️ Warm Reds & Berries: terracotta, rust, burnt orange, wine, burgundy

These colours photograph beautifully in natural light and pair effortlessly with outdoor locations. They also blend softly with my editing tones, creating that signature warmth and glow you see in my work.

How I’ll Help You Style Your Session

Once you’ve booked in with me, I’ll send you my Prep & Style Guide — packed with visual inspiration, outfit tips for the whole family, and advice on how to pull everything together. You’ll also have personalised styling help when we chat prior to your session, to talk through ideas, share photos of outfit options, and make sure everyone feels confident and comfortable.

My years as a primary school teacher taught me the power of preparation (and flexibility!), and I bring that same supportive energy to helping you style your shoot.

A Little Style, A Lot of Heart

Clothes won’t make or break your session — but they can elevate it. They help create the canvas for those in-between moments of love, laughter, and connection to truly shine. So don’t stress. I’ll guide you every step of the way.

Let’s make photos that feel as good as they look — and it all starts with a little colour.

Check out my gallery from my home page for some more examples of outfits in action: Home