Co-ordinate, don't match!

The easiest way to plan the wardrobe for you and your family is to take one outfit and work around it. It could be something you really want to wear yourself. Or, it could be a good base outfit in your partner's or your child's wardrobe already.

Take that outfit and look at the tone. This is going to inform your colour palette. If it's a tan colour, for instance, then you will be looking at creams and warm neutrals for everyone else. If it's cream or beige, you can bring an element of colour into other outfits such as sage green, tan or a soft, warm brown whilst also embracing lighter tones to keep it balanced.

The only time I recommend matching outfits is for siblings.

Colour tones are key. Wear colours that work with your skin tones naturally. Greys suit those who have a warm skin tone. White is stark so softer off whites are usually more flattering for paler skin tones and add a softer look to your gallery. Warm beiges tend to bring warmth to all skin tones.



Darker colours in clothing bring depth and work better with black and white images but should be used sparingly (usually on the bottom, like jeans, for example), so as not to dominate the overall look. We want everyone to be seen as equally as possible.

Comfort is key

The days of white / black t-shirts and jeans being your only option are gone. Don't be afraid to embrace texture like knits, linen, corduroy and silk. If you think of gently caressing your baby wearing a knitted cardigan over a dress or a soft, warm cashmere top over a silk skirt, you are immediately drawn to not only the soft comfortable look but the way those fabrics make you feel. Comfort is key.

For young children, I highly recommend buying any new clothing in plenty of time before your session to give time to try it on for comfort. Often , when we buy online, clothing can look one way but when we try it on it might not feel 'right'. Children can be sensitive to textures and it could impact how they feel on the day. So, trying out new clothes in plenty of time will reduce stress closer to your session. Super soft t-shirts and comfy bottoms and the same for dresses and tights will keep your little one(s) comfy and help them feel happier on the day.

The main advice is to keep your outfits as comfortable and timeless as possible. For post-partum mums, I have a Client closet which we can discuss and is designed to keep you feeling comfortable and looking beautiful.

Connection over clothing

In the pre-session consultation call, I always say, outfits can make or break the look of your gallery but clothing comes second to your family's connection.

What do I mean by that?

Well, if you plan your wardrobe right, the clothes in your photos won't necessarily be the first thing you see, the smiles and love for each other should be the show-stealer. That's what we are capturing first and foremost.

The reason outfit choice is so important is because we don't want anything we wear to take away from that. We want to be comfortable and content. When we feel good, we look good.

If we think of clothing as blending into the background then it will help you to ensure your outfits are creating harmony rather than distraction.

What is best to avoid

Ultimately, these are my recommendations for your gallery, so that when you choose your prints, your images are cohesive, timeless and blend well.

In my experience, what will negatively impact the overall timelessness and cohesion of your gallery is:

• Clashing patterns
• Too many colours
• Certain vibrant colours: yellow, lemon, lime, red, blue, pink and green are strongly discouraged.
• Colours from different colour palettes (that is, vibrant colours mixed with an autumnal colour palette, for example).
• Large logos or brand names
• Clothing that is restrictive or tight (remember, you will be sitting for a lot if not all your images, so please ensure your clothing is comfortable and flattering whilst sitting).
• Bright socks (neutral socks only that co-ordinate with your outfits work best)
• Smart watches or fashionable jewellery or accessories that may date over time
• Dark fake tan (I edit warm so if you wish to wear tan, please apply a lighter shade than usual and apply sparingly to the hands). No instant tan please. It risks transfer to your baby and the studio closet.