Collage of artistic family and maternity portraits featuring soft, natural light and warm tones.

What to Wear



JCo Artistry Guide

Gianni & Michelle's Parisian Wedding Photography Journey



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Unforgettable Paris Wedding Photography with Gianni & Michelle



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I Get It !



Ahhhh, family photos. It's bittersweet experience isn't it. I LOVE family photos because, HELLO, I am a mom and usually the one behind the camera. Pictures with me in them? Oh, you mean my awkward selfies with my kids? BOOM. Reason number 102 why I kinda go in full-blown “they gotta be perfect” mode. It’s the ONE time where I am IN the picture and hopefully my hair is styled up to par than the original mom bun with postpartum fly-aways.


    The bitter side of things… trying to plan it. I see you. Rummaging your closet. Panicking over what in the WORLD to wear…not just for yourself, but the entire family. It can be super overwhelming, and although I am no pro at this, I have learned some tricks along the way that make the process much easier, while creating a cohesive “look” while streamlining all the anxiety along the way.


So you’ve booked your session with me. YAY! Next step is to figure out the attire. A good place to start is by asking yourself some questions.

Big Picture in Mind



Start by thinking about where you plan to display your portraits. If the wall where you plan to hang your family portrait is brightly colored, you may want to avoid brightly colored outfits so the colors don’t compete. Instead opt for soft neutrals or muted tones. On the other hand, if your walls are neutral, pops of color in your outfits would look great!

Season


Winter. Spring. Summer. Fall. I always like to make my photos match the season, especially if your planning to be outside. You want to make sure you and your crew aren’t freezing or sweating like you just ran a marathon. Obviously, if there is snow on the ground for your session, wearing a tank top may be a little out of place and vice versa… a wool sweater and in mid-summer, probably is not a good idea. This can also help you choose colors for your outfits! I always like to mesh the seasons in with our overall color scheme, which I will get to in just a bit

This collection reflects a cohesive family style with a mix of textures and patterns that feel both modern and sentimental. The outfits are versatile for various settings—whether you're in a natural outdoor landscape or a cozy indoor session, this neutral palette adds warmth and softness to every shot.

Mom's Outfit: A flowy, off-white maxi dress with puff sleeves, offering a bohemian, relaxed feel. The dress moves beautifully, making it ideal for outdoor or nature shoots.

Baby's Outfit: A ribbed, cream-colored set with ruffles, combining texture and softness, perfect for capturing the delicate innocence of the youngest family members.

Dad's Outfit: A smart yet casual charcoal grey button-up paired with tan pants, striking a balance between laid-back and polished, making him blend yet subtly stand out.

Boy's Outfit: A cozy plaid jacket layered over a simple cream shirt and black pants, giving a casual yet stylish, outdoorsy look, great for movement and playful shots.

Girl's Outfits: Two options—one with a light floral print puff sleeve dress that adds a vintage touch and a solid caramel-toned tiered dress with subtle details for a sweet, classic look.



Location


The location you choose will also impact the colors and style you choose to dress your family in. Think about the overall colors of your location. WHERE are you having the shoot? Indoors? Outdoors? At the beach? At a park? Downtown in an urban setting?

Vibe


How do you want the pictures to feel? Classic. Boho. Earthy. Trendy. Formal. Relaxed. Whimsical. Rustic. Playful. Romantic. Cheerful. Beachy. Depending on the location, vibes play an important part too.

Start with Mom/Female Partner


Females often ground the photos. As the heart of the family, moms or spouce often set the tone for the photos. Start by choosing an outfit you truly love, as it will help anchor the family’s wardrobe. Long, flowy dresses are always a stunning choice—they add beautiful movement and elegance to your photos. For cooler months, consider layering with cozy sweaters, scarves, jackets, tights, or boots—if California weather cooperates, of course!

Keep patterns to a Minimun


 Patterns is an art form, which, if overdone, it can quickly make a photo look busy. That’s why I suggest having only one family member in a patterned outfit. For example, you’ll want to avoid stripes with plaid, or having two family members in checked prints. Instead, stick with solids and then add texture afterward.

If you do choose to mix patterns, make sure that they complement each other. A larger floral with a subtle polka dot, for example, works just fine as long as the colors coordinate.


Coordinate Don't Match


One of the goals of my family and Coiple sessions is to show off each member’s individual personalities, so I always suggest that your outfits coordinate but not match.

What does that mean? Start by choosing a color palette. Will you go with soft, romantic neutrals, jewel tones, black or white, and denim? Start there and then choose outfits that fall within the palette but aren’t identical. For Example, if everyone wears a white top. There will be no separation in the picture. You will all blend together. Instead have someone wear a white top, someone else wear a white top with an open up sweater while someone else wears white pants. Need some inspiration?


Stay Classy


Remember that your photos will be treasured for decades, so aim for timelessness. Your kids may love Hello Kitty or Nike with a passion, but for your family session it’s best to stick with solids, simple patterns, or sweet florals.

Bright colors like fluorescents can reflect onto the skin, so leave those out as well. Instead, I recommend opting for neutrals, like creams and navy blue, or jewel tones like burgundy, plum, or emerald green in the fall. Pastels in the spring are a beautiful complement to the springtime flowers



Avoid Clingy Fabrics


When selecting outfits, avoid fabrics that cling, such as lightweight jersey knits, as they tend to highlight every bump and underwear line, which can be unflattering on camera. Instead, choose fabrics that hold their shape and gently skim your body without clinging. Test your outfit by wearing it around the house to ensure you can move and sit comfortably without needing constant adjustments. Comfort and confidence are key!


Above all be Comefortable


During your session, you'll be moving in all sorts of ways—standing, sitting, lying down, walking, dancing, and even playing! Comfort should be a top priority when choosing your outfits.

Ask yourself: "Can I sit on the ground? Can I lift my child up?" When selecting your child’s clothes, consider if they can run, dance, and twirl comfortably. If the answer is yes, you’re likely on the right track!

Still feeling unsure? Don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always happy to provide feedback and help you pick outfits that will look amazing on camera.



Extra Tips

  • Put yourself first for once Mama. Be confident and Love what you wear. Getting ready first than getting ready last will ensure you have enough time to look your very best.


  • I highly recommend wearing long skirts, pants, or dresses for your session. There’s something magical about how a long, flowy dress photographs—it adds a stunning visual element and can make your photos feel even more dynamic. Plus, they’re so much fun to wear! Of course, the most important thing is that your outfit reflects your personality and makes you feel comfortable and confident.
  • Simple jewelry, a hat, or a belt can elevate your look without overpowering it. For men, consider timeless pieces like a watch or suspenders.


  • Wear your hair how you like it, but typically stay away from ponytails. Typically, the looser and more flexible the style, the better!


  • Flatter your figure. Don’t wear clothes that are entirely too tight or loose, or clothes that accentuate your insecurities. Wear something you feel beautiful in.



  • Make sure the day before, you iron anything that needs to be dress, hung and ready to wear. A Lot less chaotic trying to scramble trying to find missing pieces.


  • Make sure whatever outfits you choose, they are YOU. The last thing you want is to feel uncomfortable during the photos, so make sure your personalities and vibes are also a part of your decision-making when planning.

Extra Tips

  • Add in various textures, colors that mesh well with one another, and don’t be afraid to pop in a splash of pattern. Choose 1-2 simple patterns. Mix in patterns with solids to balance out the photo.


  • Basic isn’t a bad thing. Spice up basic pieces with layers (cardigans, layered button-up, sweater, scarf, hats) It will add some texture and depth to your photos.
  • Lay the outfits out on the floor and see how they mesh.


  • Coordinate your clothing–in group photos, try to keep everyone on the same page and color palette of 2-4 colors. The best tip for family outfit planning is to pick one item of clothing with a few colors (like mom or daughter’s dress) and pull colors from that for everyone else to wear. Dress like you go together.
  • If anyone needs a haircut, its best to do it a week before the shoot so the hair looks more natural.



  • While trying to stay current and fashionable, do avoid obvious trends that will be outdated soon. You can do fashion forward while still remaining timeless.


Extra Tips

  • Choose colors that complement the skin tone and hair color of each family member to ensure everyone looks their best.


  • Consider the Background Location. Avoid wearing colors that blend too much with the setting. You want your family to stand out, not fade into the scenery.




  • Your entire outfit matters, from head to toe. Socks often show, and shoes will definitely be in the photos, so make sure they complement your outfits.


  • Select shoes that match the vibe of your outfit and location. Barefoot looks great on the beach, while neutral boots or dress shoes work well in urban or rural settings.


  • Most importantly, wear outfits that feel true to who you are as a couple. Whether it’s casual and laid-back or dressed up and romantic, let your style reflect your connection.
  • Blowouts and accidents happen to babies. I highly recommend arriving a few minutes early and dressing the baby in their session outfits at arrival.


  • If all else fails with your kids… bring along a small (non-messy) treat to bribe them. Fruit snacks and marshmallows are great!


  • Kids are unpredictable, and spills or accidents happen. A backup outfit for the little ones ensures the session can continue smoothly.


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