What to Wear for Your Family Photoshoot in West Sussex
One of the questions I'm asked most often before a session is:
"What should we wear?"
If you're anything like me, you'll probably have spent hours searching online, pinning posts on Pinterest, ordering three different outfits, sending screenshots to your partner and wondering if everyone should wear white shirts and jeans (spoiler alert... probably not unless this is YOU)
The good news is that choosing what to wear doesn't have to be stressful. As a West Sussex family photographer, my aim is to capture your family exactly as you are; full of love, laughter and connection. The right outfits simply help keep the focus where it belongs: on you. The key to a successful photoshoot is to be comfortable in what you’re wearing but also feel like yourself.
Choose colours that work together, not match perfectly
Gone are the days of everyone wearing identical white tops and blue jeans. You can, of course, wear this if this is your vibe, but what i recommend is choosing colours that complement each other.
Soft neutrals, earthy tones and muted colours photograph beautifully outdoors and allow your family to shine without your clothing stealing the attention.
Some of my favourite colour palettes include:
Creams and whites
Beige and oatmeal
Sage green
Rust or terracotta
Dusty blue
Soft browns
Mustard accents
Muted pinks
The aim is to coordinate rather than match. Everyone should look like they belong together without looking like they're wearing a uniform.
Avoid bold colours and busy patterns
Bright neon colours, bold logos and clashing patterns can be really distracting in photographs. I am ALL for dopamine dressing though. This makes everyone smile, right? and it makes you feel happy to the soul.
The first thing people notice should be your smiles, not a fluorescent jumper or a giant superhero logo. Likewise, if one family member is wearing bright red, another is in electric blue, and someone else has bold stripes, the eye is constantly pulled towards the clothing instead of the connection between you.
Keeping colours soft and complementary creates timeless images you'll still love in twenty years' time.
Think about your location
West Sussex has some of the most beautiful backdrops for family photography.
Whether we're walking through golden fields, exploring woodland paths or enjoying an evening on the beach, choosing outfits that complement the surroundings makes a huge difference. Earthy tones work beautifully in woodland. Soft blues and creams are perfect by the sea. Warm rusts and mustard tones look incredible during autumn.
Natural colours always photograph beautifully against the stunning West Sussex countryside.
Dress for comfort
Children don't care whether they're wearing the latest fashion trend. They care whether they can run, climb, cuddle and play.
If your little one is constantly pulling at a dress, complaining about itchy jumpers or struggling to walk in stiff shoes, it's likely to show.
Choose outfits everyone feels comfortable wearing. The happier everyone feels, the more relaxed your photographs will be.
Need help deciding what to wear?
When you book your session, I'm always happy to help.
Send me photos of your outfit ideas, and I'll happily help you put everything together. Sometimes all it takes is a quick second opinion to turn "I'm not sure" into "That's perfect."
As your West Sussex family photographer, I want every part of your experience to feel easy—from planning your outfits to receiving your final gallery. Because when you feel relaxed and comfortable, that's when the magic happens, and those are the photographs your family will treasure forever.