FAMILY PHOTO SESSION
Planning a family photo session should be exciting—not stressful. Whether this is your first time or you're a seasoned pro, here’s a simple guide to help you prepare. From what to wear to how to get the kids on board, I've got you covered. I hope this guide contains everything you need to know to feel confident, relaxed, and photo-ready. I can't wait to work with you and your family!
What to wear
keep it simple & Neutral
Choose Neutral Tones
Neutral colors photograph beautifully and keep the focus on your family’s connection instead of your clothes. When choosing outfits, consider:
- Cream, ivory or taupe
- Light gray, beige, or soft browns
- Muted olive, faint pink or dusty blue
These tones work beautifully in natural light and outdoor settings—and they’ll never go out of style. For further inspiration, I suggest selecting muted colors of the prominent colors of the season that your session is taking place during.
Skip Loud Patterns, COLORS & Logos
Solid colors or subtle textures (like knits or linen) are perfect. Avoid logos or bold graphics, which can distract in photos. Most importantly, avoid extremely bright or neon clothing, as this can reflect poorly onto skin and does not photograph well.
Coordinate, Don’t Match
Gone are the days of identical outfits! Instead, build a cohesive palette using different shades and textures. Lay everything out together before your session to see how it all flows.
START WITH ONE OUTFIT
When it comes to selecting outfits, I find it helpful to pick a single starting point. Perhaps Mom has found a perfect dress or your little one will currently only wear one type of button up from Maisonette. Choose that "staple" item and then build from there!
Dress for the Season & Location
If we’re outdoors in the fall, bring cozy layers. In the summer, opt for light and breathable fabrics.
BLACK ISN'T always the answer
I have had a few clients that think wear black is the only way they will feel or look "thin". Sure, black can be slimming on some, but it also photographs very heavily in portraits. There is nothing wrong with black, but if you’re only wearing it to look thinner and deep down you’re hoping for light and airy family portraits, it may not be the best choice.
Comfort is Key
You’ll be moving, playing, and maybe even sitting on the ground—so make sure everyone feels good in what they’re wearing. If the kids are tugging at their outfits the whole time, it’ll show!
Accessorize Thoughtfully
Simple jewelry, a hat, or a textured scarf can add visual interest—but keep it minimal to avoid distraction.
HOW TO PREPARE
ADVANCE PLANNING & PREPARATION
Get Plenty of Rest
As you as parents know, a good night’s sleep makes a big difference—especially for little ones!
Pack Snacks & Water
Please feel free to bring a few mess-free snacks and water to keep everyone happy and hydrated (especially helpful during longer sessions).
Give Yourself Extra Time
Running late can create stress, which is definitely not my goal for your session. Plan to be ready a little early so we can start the session relaxed and happy.
Get the Kids Excited
Obviously, you know your kids best but I often hear from parents that little ones are most excited when they are told that "we're just going to hang out and play while someone takes pictures". It keeps the energy positive and light and makes a huge difference!
Bring a SPECIAL Comfort Item (Optional)
A favorite small toy or blanket can help shy kids warm up. We can even sneak it into a few shots if it’s special to them.
EXTRA STYLING TIPS FOR THE LADIES
CONSIDER a flowy dress
Dresses are perfect for organic, light and airy photos. They allow for great movement and look great on almost all body types.
ACCENTUATE WHAT YOU LOVE
I made a huge mistake when taking our engagement photos and I picked too short of a dress that made me feel very uncomfortable. Throughout the whole shoot, I was pulling at my dress to make it longer because I didn't love how much of my legs were showing. I would highly recommend making sure you pick something that accentuates the areas of your body you want to show off and easily covers anything you'd like to draw less attention to without constantly having to tug!
Watch bra straps
Your session will have quite a bit of movement...walking around, picking up kids, etc. so if you're not able to move without a sneaky bra strap showing, consider some fashion tape, a pin or a different bra. I know from experience how annoying this can be in pictures and it's difficult (if not impossible) to edit afterwards.
avoid thin clothing
For those shopping on Amazon or other online retailers, you'll notice that a lot of the clothing is very thin and often see through. Stand outside, in front of a bright window or use a flashlight to make sure nothing shows that you don't want showing!
RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN
Prefer pants to dresses? Or you love a new romper you got? Of course, wear that to your session! These are just tips and tricks that I've learned over the years but what's most important to me is that you feel comfortable and like yourself at your session.
TIPS FOR THE GENTLEMEN
SHORTS & SHOES
I know how awesome it is to be able to carry everything in your pockets, but for photos, cargo shorts and pants can look a bit messy and casual. Same goes for the zip-off style of pants that turn into shorts. Let's also try to avoid your gym shoes! Neutral loafers go a long way to making your photos look very nice.
NO PERFORMANCE FABRIC
Those shirts are super comfortable when you're out on the course or in the gym, but the fabric can be a bit tough to photograph and it not always the most flattering. Aim for something cotton, linen or another elevated fabric instead of workout material.
CLEAN AND TRIM
I love to capture all the in-between moments, meaning that your hands will likely be in quite a few pictures. Be sure to trim and clean under your nails! I would also suggest an ear and nose trim should that apply to you.
keep it simple
Just for today, let's avoid the large Nike logos and graphic t-shirts. Your photos will look so much more polished with a natural, simple button up/down, polo or tailored sweater.
FAQ
Should I wear my glasses?
If you wear glasses every day, I highly suggest wearing glasses during your session so you feel like yourself! However, if you have transition lenses, I may suggest swapping them out for regular lenses as transition lenses are incredibly difficult to edit when they get dark...and everyone will love to see your eyes!
Should we bring any props?
If you'd like, feel free to bring some of your kiddos favorite toys for them to interact with during our session! I'd also highly recommend a white or light colored blanket so we can take some photos sitting and not worry about getting dirty.
When will our photos be delivered?
You will receive your full gallery no later than two weeks after your session!
Testimonials
Melissa was so amazing! She was so attentive to our wants and details leading up to, and the day of, our family shoot. We couldn't be happier with our decision to go with Melissa and our photos. They are breathtaking and so special to us! We can't recommend her enough. Thank you Melissa!
ALIGA FAMILY
Testimonials
We had a wonderful experience with Melissa taking our family photos! We haven't had professional photos taken in years and it was such a great gift for my Mom for Mother's Day. Her professional website is clean and easy to use. I was even able to pay directly on her site. Overall a very seamless experience. We highly recommend Melissa!
DOSS FAMILY
A FEW EXTRA THINGS TO BRING
ITEM 1
BAG or tote
I think parents may know this best, but it's amazing how fast things start to stack up. Bring a tote to throw in snacks, water bottles, phones, wallets, keys, etc. We'll want everything out of pockets so it's nice to not have to have things on the ground!
ITEM 2
water & SNACKS
Staying hydrated and satiated during your session is so important! We'll make sure that there's time for kids (and adults alike) to drink water and have a snack so we're all feeling great the whole time! Try to avoid super messy snacks if possible.
ITEM 3
spare outfit
Just in case someone trips, spills something or decides to play in some water, it's not a bad idea to throw a simple, neutral backup outfit into your bag. This may apply to some adults as well... just kidding!
ITEM 4
DIAPER COVER
Diaper covers can really elevate a little one's outfit! I know there are some super cute diapers out there these days, but if you don't want to worry about diapers showing, these make all the difference in photos!
ITEM 5
A FAVORITE TOY
You will see me act a fool in order to get your little one(s) to smile. But despite my best efforts, sometimes I'm just not funny to them and I have to wiggle around a favorite toy next to my camera to get their attention.
ITEM 6
NEUTRAL BLANKET
A blanket large enough for your whole family to sit on is a perfect addition to your session! It's always nice to sit for a few minutes and keeping everyone clean while doing so is a great idea. Make sure the whole family can fit together!
Recent family favorites
Thank you for reading this guide! I hope it was helpful.
I look forward to working with you and your family.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at hello@melschroederphoto.com or using the contact form here.