What to Wear
What to Wear to Your Photo Session (A Real Guide for Real People)
By Rob Owens | Rob Owens Photography | Hampton Roads, VA
One of the most common things I hear from clients before a session is some version of "I have no idea what to wear."
And honestly? That makes total sense. There's a lot of conflicting advice out there. Pinterest boards can be overwhelming. And nobody wants to show up to their session and feel like they made the wrong call.
So here's what I know from being behind the camera for a long time, combined with what the best photographers and stylists across the country agree on. I've broken it down by session type so you can find exactly what you're looking for.
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Family Photos
1. Start with One Person and Build from There
The easiest way to plan family outfits is to start with one person's outfit, usually mom's, and build everyone else around it. Pick something she loves and feels great in first. Then pull 2 or 3 colors from that outfit and use those as your palette for the rest of the family.
This takes a lot of the guesswork out of it. You're not trying to dress five people from scratch. You're coordinating around something that's already working.
2. Coordinate, Don't Match
Here's the thing about matching: it tends to look stiff. When everyone is in the exact same color, it looks more like a uniform than a family. Coordinating is different. It means everyone is working within the same color family, but wearing their own version of it.
Think navy, cream, and a warm tan. One person in navy pants and a cream top. Someone else in a tan dress. The kids in muted blues and creams. Everyone looks connected without looking like a catalog.
3. Colors That Photograph Well
Stick to muted, earthy tones. Soft blues, warm creams, forest greens, rust, sage, and dusty pinks are all beautiful in photos. Navy and charcoal are classics that work in every season.
What to avoid: neon anything, hot pink, and bright orange. These colors can cast strange tones onto skin in photos and pull attention away from the people wearing them. Thin stripes and busy prints have the same effect. Your eye goes to the pattern instead of the person.
No logos or brand graphics either. They date photos instantly and compete with everything else in the frame.
4. Comfort Is Not Optional, Especially with Kids
If your kids are uncomfortable, it shows. Scratchy fabrics, shoes that are too tight, or outfits they have never worn before all lead to fidgeting and meltdowns. Have them wear their outfits around the house for a little while before the session. They'll be more relaxed and so will you.
The same goes for everyone. If you are tugging at your top or adjusting your waistband every five minutes, that tension comes through in photos.
5. Give Yourself a Week
Have your outfits fully planned and ready at least a week before your session. No last-minute shopping runs, no "I think I can find something" the night before. When your outfits are handled, you walk into the session relaxed and focused on your family instead of stressed about what you're wearing.
6. Add Texture and Layers
Texture adds a lot to family photos. A linen shirt, a chunky knit sweater, a flowy skirt, a denim jacket. These things give the photos dimension and make them feel warm and lived-in. Mixing fabrics across the family creates visual interest without anyone standing out in a distracting way.
Maternity Photos
1. The Whole Point Is the Bump
Everything in a maternity session is built around celebrating where you are right now. That means your outfit should show the bump, not hide it. This is one time in your life worth fully leaning into.
Dark colors, especially black, tend to minimize the belly. That works against the whole purpose of the session. Lighter tones, soft neutrals, and warm pastels do the opposite. They draw the eye right to the bump and let it be the center of everything.
2. Long and Flowing Wins Every Time
The outfits that photograph best for maternity are typically floor-length and flowy. A long maxi dress or a flowing skirt gives you movement, elegance, and something to hold and work with during the session. It also just looks stunning in photos, especially outdoors.
Look for something fitted at or just above the belly with a skirt that flows from there. You want something that shows the shape of the bump without clinging uncomfortably underneath it.
3. Fabric Matters More Than You Think
Stiff cotton wrinkles easily and does not move well. Super clingy fabrics show every line and tend to gather awkwardly when you walk. Chiffon and tulle are the most photographed maternity fabrics for a reason. They catch light beautifully, create natural movement, and feel airy and romantic in photos.
If you are not sure what fabric your dress is, do a little test. Hold it up and let it fall. Does it flow? Does it move? That's a good sign.
4. Keep It Timeless
You are going to look back at these photos for the rest of your life. Trend-heavy looks tend to feel dated within a few years. Classic silhouettes in clean, simple colors age beautifully. When in doubt, go simple.
5. If Your Partner Is in the Photos
Match the energy. If you are in a formal gown, your partner should be dressed up too. A button-down shirt and well-fitted pants go a long way. If you are going more casual and flowy, they can be relaxed too. What you want to avoid is a big mismatch where one person looks dressed for a wedding and the other looks like they just came from the grocery store.
6. Comfortable Shoes Matter
You will be walking, standing, and moving around for the entire session. This is not the time for heels you can barely walk in. Beautiful, comfortable shoes that let you move naturally are always the right call.
Individual Portraits
1. Solid Colors and Simple Patterns
For individual portraits, clean solid colors are your best friend. They let the focus stay where it belongs, on your face, your expression, your presence. Navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy, cream, and soft earth tones all photograph beautifully. Jewel tones are particularly flattering on most skin tones.
Stay away from large graphic prints, bold stripes, and anything very busy. The eye naturally goes to the most visually active thing in the frame. If that's your shirt, that's a problem.
2. Fit Is Everything
Clothes that fit well always look better in photos than clothes that are too loose. You do not need to wear anything tight or uncomfortable. But baggy and oversized can read as sloppy in a portrait even if it feels fine in real life. Aim for something that fits your actual body the way it is right now.
3. Think About Your Neckline
The neckline is one of the most important things to consider for a portrait because it frames your face. A tight turtleneck closes things off. A very low or very wide neckline can compete with your face for attention. A v-neck, crew neck, or open collar hit a sweet spot. They keep things clean and let your face lead.
4. Layers Add Depth
A blazer, a denim jacket, a light cardigan, a scarf. These things add dimension to a portrait that a single flat layer does not. You can also shoot with and without layers for variety in the same session.
5. Keep Accessories Simple
One or two pieces at most. A simple necklace. A watch. Stud earrings. Accessories should support the look without competing with your face. If you're not sure whether something is too much, leave it off and bring it along. You can always add it, but you can't take it off mid-session.
6. Bring Options
If you want variety from your session, bring two or three outfits. A mix of casual and more polished gives you more to work with and means you end up with photos that suit different uses. Casual for personal use and social media. Clean and polished for LinkedIn or professional use.
Tips That Apply to Everyone
Iron and steam your clothes the night before. Wrinkles show up in photos more than you expect. Taking 10 minutes the night before saves a lot of regret.
Wear your outfit before the session. Try it on, move around in it, sit down in it. You want to know it works before you're standing in front of a camera.
Dress for yourself first. Wear something that makes you feel good. When you feel good in your clothes, it shows. Confidence translates directly into better photos. Do not wear something you hate just because someone told you it photographs well.
Think about where the photos will live. If they're going above your couch, think about your home's color palette. Warm tones in an earthy living space. Cool tones in a modern one. Your photos should feel at home in your home.
When in doubt, reach out. I am always happy to help you think through outfits before your session. Send me a photo or two of what you're considering and I'll give you honest feedback. That's part of what you're booking me for.
Getting dressed for a session does not have to be stressful. Once you have a plan, it becomes one less thing to think about so you can just show up, be present, and let the photos happen.
If you have questions or you're ready to book, reach out anytime.
Rob Owens Photography serves families, individuals, and professionals across Hampton Roads, VA.
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Tags: what to wear family photos, maternity photo outfits, portrait session outfit guide, Hampton Roads photographer tips, what to wear photo session Virginia