What to wear for a Family Photo Shoot - Your Guide to London Family Photography

A Guide from Balham Bumps & Babies

It's one of the most common questions I hear before a session — and honestly, it's right up there with "will my toddler behave?" in terms of things families worry about. What do we wear? Will we look too matchy-matchy? What if the kids refuse to wear what I've laid out?

Take a breath. Getting dressed for a family photo shoot doesn't need to be stressful, and there are no strict rules. But there are a few things that genuinely make a difference to how your images turn out — so here's my honest guide, covering both indoor sessions and outdoor shoots in South London.

The Golden Rule: Coordinate, Don't Match

The days of everyone turning up in identical white shirts and jeans are firmly behind us (though if that's your thing, no judgement — it's a classic for a reason). What tends to work much better is a colour palette rather than an exact outfit.

Choose two or three colours that complement each other and work from there. Soft neutrals — cream, sage green, dusty blue, warm tan, terracotta — photograph beautifully and age well in prints. If you want to add one bolder accent colour, great. But try to keep the overall feel cohesive rather than matching everything exactly.

Think of it less like a uniform and more like you all got dressed in the same house. Which, of course, you did.

For Outdoor Sessions in South London

I shoot a lot of family sessions outdoors, across Tooting Common, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Brockwell Park, and other gorgeous green spaces across South and South West London. These locations are full of natural texture and colour — which means your outfits need to work with the environment, not compete with it.

What works well outdoors:

Earthy tones and muted palettes sit beautifully against grass, trees, and golden autumn light. Think olive, burnt orange, mustard, rust, navy, and off-white. In spring and summer, soft floral prints and linen fabrics feel light and natural. In autumn and winter, layers, knitwear, and richer tones like burgundy and forest green come into their own.

Layers are your friend. A light jacket or a denim shirt over a dress gives your images variety — you can take it off mid-session and suddenly you have a completely different look. It also means everyone stays comfortable if the temperature drops (this is South London in all its unpredictable glory, after all).

Avoid large logos and very busy prints. These tend to pull the eye away from faces and expressions, which are what make a photograph truly special.

Footwear matters more than people think. If you're on grass or woodland ground, think about what your family will actually be walking on. Trainers, boots, and simple flat shoes all look lovely. Heels and flip-flops, less so — both for the images and your comfort.

For children outdoors, comfort is everything. If they're in something they find uncomfortable or restrictive, you'll spend half the session negotiating. Choose something they're happy to run, jump, and roll around in. A little muddy hem is a small price to pay for beautiful, natural images.

For Indoor Sessions

Many of my family sessions take place at home, and it's one of my favourite settings to photograph in. Your home has personality, context, and — most importantly — the things that make your family yours. The sofa you all pile onto, the kitchen where the chaos happens, the bedroom where the cuddles live.

For indoor shoots, the main consideration is how your outfits interact with your home's colours and light.

Keep it simple and relaxed. Casual, comfortable clothing tends to work best indoors — soft knits, simple cotton layers, cosy textures. You don't need to be dressed up. In fact, slightly underdressed often looks more authentic and more beautiful.

Avoid very bright whites next to windows. White can overexpose easily in direct natural light and create contrast issues. Cream and off-white are much more forgiving and just as fresh-looking.

Think about your walls and furniture. If your living room is full of bold colour, wearing similarly bold colours can make images feel a little busy. Conversely, in a very neutral or minimal interior, you can afford a splash of colour in your outfits.

Matching your home's palette isn't essential, but it does help everything feel intentional rather than accidental. When I arrive, I always take a look at the light and the space before we begin — and I'll let you know if swapping to your second outfit option might work better for a particular spot.

What About the Children?

Let's be honest: if you have small children, outfit planning is partly about what you want and partly about what they'll agree to wear on the day. Here's what I'd suggest:

For babies and very young toddlers, you have full creative control — soft, simple, and sweet always works. Neutral tones, delicate knits, little linen sets. Keep it comfortable and make sure you can easily dress and undress them (because you will probably need to).

For older toddlers and children, involve them in choosing. If they feel like they've had some say, they're far more likely to cooperate. Within reason, let them wear something they love — a favourite colour, a soft hoodie, a special pair of shoes. The goal is for them to feel like themselves.

Avoid anything too stiff, too scratchy, or too new. An outfit worn for the first time on the day of a shoot is a gamble.

A Few Practical Things

Bring options if you can. A bag with an alternative top or a change of outfit means if something isn't quite working once we're in the space, we're not stuck. I'll always give you an honest and friendly opinion if you ask for one.

Get dressed before I arrive (or at your outdoor meeting point). Arriving ready means we can make the most of the light straight away, rather than losing the golden hour to last-minute wardrobe decisions.

Don't forget hair and skin. For adults especially, if you're someone who wears make-up, this is a lovely occasion to put a little on. Nothing dramatic — just enough that you feel polished and like yourself. Freshly washed and styled hair makes a genuine difference to how confident people feel in front of the camera, which always comes through in the images.

The Honest Truth

The best outfit for a family photo shoot is the one that makes everyone feel comfortable, confident, and like themselves. The photos that become firm family favourites aren't usually the ones where everyone was immaculately turned out — they're the ones where your child is mid-laugh, where you're looking at each other rather than the camera, where something real and unrepeatable is happening.

Getting dressed thoughtfully just removes one variable and lets us focus on all of that.

Booking a Family Session in South London

I'm Juliet, a professional portrait photographer based in Balham, SW12. I photograph families, babies, children, newborns, and maternity bumps across South London and South West London — including Clapham, Tooting, Streatham, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Brixton, Putney, and surrounding areas.

When you book a session with me, I'll send you a full session guide including more detailed outfit advice tailored to your specific shoot location and time of year.

If you'd like to chat about booking or have any questions, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch here.

Take a look at the family portfolio and pricing for more details.

Tags: family photography, what to wear, family photo shoot, South London, South West London, Balham, Clapham, Tooting, Wandsworth, family photographer London