What to Wear for a Family Photoshoot in London (So You're Not Googling This at 11pm the Night Before)
If you've landed here because it's the night before your shoot and you're standing in front of a wardrobe having a small crisis, I see you. Genuinely. I've had clients text me photos of three different outfits from a changing room, apologising for "being annoying" when honestly, this is one of the most common questions I get asked. So let's sort it properly.
Choosing what to wear for a family photoshoot in London isn't about buying a whole new wardrobe or making everyone match like a catalogue shoot from 2009. It's about a handful of decisions that add up to photos that actually look like your family, just a slightly more put-together version of it. Here's what I tell my own clients, tip by tip.
1. Coordinate, don't match
This is the big one and it trips up almost everyone. Matching means everyone's in the same shade of blue, which reads a bit stiff on camera and dates fast. Coordinating means you're all pulling from the same colour family without being identical, so maybe one person's in a rust jumper, another's in cream, someone's got a small rust detail in a scarf or a bag strap. It photographs as a family that put thought in, not a family in uniform.
A simple trick: pick two or three colours you all like, then let everyone wear a mix of those across their outfit. Nobody has to wear the "assigned" colour head to toe.
2. Build round a palette that suits London light
London does grey skies a lot of the year, and that's not actually the enemy people assume it is. Soft, overcast light is flattering and even, no harsh shadows under noses or squinting into the sun. What it does do is mute colours slightly, so this is where a warm, slightly muted palette earns its keep: terracotta, sage, dusty pink, camel, cream, soft denim. These tones hold up beautifully whether you're shooting in a park, on a residential street, or somewhere with a bit of city backdrop.
Save the neons and the very saturated brights for another day. They tend to pull the eye away from faces, which, last I checked, are the actual point of the photo.
3. Layer for the weather, because you'll need to
Anyone who's lived here for more than a week knows London weather has commitment issues. A jumper, a light coat or jacket, maybe a scarf, gives you options if it's colder or breezier than forecast, and layers add visual texture to photos even if you end up shedding them halfway through. Just make sure whatever's underneath still looks finished on its own, since outer layers often come off for at least part of the shoot.
4. Go easy on busy patterns and logos
Big logos, slogan tees, and busy prints (think large florals, stripes, plaid) can dominate a photo in a way that pulls attention away from your faces and your expressions, which is really what you're paying for. Small, subtle patterns are fine. A single graphic tee on a toddler who refuses to wear anything else is also fine, don't stress about it, this is meant to be enjoyable rather than a military operation.
5. Think about texture, not just colour
This is the bit people don't think about until I mention it, and then they can't unsee it. Texture is what makes photos feel rich rather than flat: a chunky knit, corduroy, linen, a bit of velvet on a little one's dress. Mixing textures within your coordinated palette adds depth without adding more colours to juggle. It's a small thing that makes a genuinely noticeable difference.
6. Don't forget shoes
Shoes get forgotten constantly, and then everyone's in wellies or trainers that clash with an otherwise lovely outfit. Think about whether you'll be sitting on grass, walking along a path, or somewhere muddier, and pick something that's both practical and fits the vibe. Boots, loafers, simple trainers in a neutral tone all work. And if little ones insist on their light-up trainers, that's a battle you're allowed to not fight.
7. Dress the kids for comfort first
A gorgeous outfit that itches, pinches, or has a scratchy tag is not going to give you a relaxed, smiley child, it's going to give you a wriggling, cross one, and no amount of coaxing fixes that. Whatever you choose, have them wear it round the house for an hour beforehand if you can, just to be sure. Comfortable kids are cooperative kids, or at least, less actively mutinous ones.
8. Keep hair and accessories simple
A few nice touches go a long way: a headband, a simple necklace, a flat cap on dad, that sort of thing. What I'd steer you away from is anything too fussy or fragile that needs constant fixing between shots, hair that needs re-pinning every five minutes, or jewellery that catches the light oddly. You want to spend the session being present with your family, not managing wardrobe malfunctions.
9. Have a backup outfit ready, just in case
Spills happen. Nosebleeds happen. A toddler deciding a puddle looked too inviting to resist happens. I always suggest bringing one spare top for younger children, tucked in a bag, so a mishap doesn't derail the whole shoot. It's a small bit of planning that saves a lot of stress on the day.
10. Send me your outfits ahead of time
Genuinely, do this. A quick photo of everyone's planned outfits laid out, or even just described in a message, means I can flag early if two colours are going to clash or if something's likely to photograph oddly (certain whites go a bit see-through in bright light, for instance). It takes five minutes and it means there are no surprises on the day. Most of my clients tell me this step took the pressure off more than anything else.
A few extra things worth knowing
Avoid pure white and pure black as your main colours. Both can trick a camera's exposure and either wash out or go flat, especially in London's changeable light. A softer off-white or a deep navy does the same job with better results.
Think about where you're shooting. A woodland or park setting in London (Hampstead Heath, Victoria Park, wherever you've chosen) tends to suit earthy, natural tones, while a more urban backdrop with brick and concrete can handle slightly richer colours without clashing. If you're not sure what suits your location, ask, this is exactly the kind of thing I'm happy to talk through beforehand.
Don't buy everything new. Some of the loveliest family photoshoots I've done have been in outfits people already owned, just thought about together. New doesn't photograph better than well-loved and comfortable.
Trust the process, even if you feel a bit silly. Almost every parent tells me they felt overdressed or underdressed walking in, and almost every single time, it was fine. You know your family best. These tips are a starting point, not a strict rulebook.
Ready to book your family photoshoot?
If all this has you feeling more confident (or if you've still got questions, which is completely normal), I'd love to help you plan the details. I'm based in Eastcote and photograph families right across the local area, Pinner, Ruislip, Northwood, Harrow, Ealing, Rickmansworth and beyond, as well as further afield in London. Wherever you're based, I always send a full outfit guide and styling chat ahead of every session, so nothing's left to guesswork on the day. Get in touch or download my guide and let's talk about what a session with your family could look like.
