Clothes make a bigger difference to family photos than almost anything else. Get them right and the photos feel timeless; get them wrong and the first thing anyone notices is a cartoon logo.
Coordinate, don't match
Pick a palette of two or three colours, such as navy, cream and mustard, and dress everyone in different pieces from it. It looks cohesive without the identical-T-shirt effect.
Texture beats pattern
Knits, linen, corduroy and denim add depth without distracting. Small prints are fine on one person; big, busy patterns and logos pull the eye away from faces.
Think about comfort and location
If you're outdoors in autumn, layer up and bring wellies for the walk. Children who are warm and comfortable will give you far better expressions than ones in itchy party clothes, so save the tights for the studio.
Imogen Hart
Oct 2026 · 5 min read
