What to Wear for Portraits

The key to great family photos isn’t matching—it’s coordinating. Think of your outfits as a cohesive group rather than identical uniforms. Aim for complementary colors, subtle patterns, and textures that work well together.

Here are a few tips to help you look and feel your best:

  • Avoid pure white tops – they can wash out skin tones and limit contrast in your images. Soft off-whites, creams, or light neutrals photograph much better.

  • Skip bright neons and solid oranges – they can reflect onto skin and dominate the frame. Instead, lean into timeless neutrals like soft grays, taupe, beige, cream, dusty blue, sage green, or muted earth tones.

  • Layers and textures (like knit sweaters, linen, or denim) add depth and interest to your photos.

  • Steer clear of logos and busy graphics – they distract from the connection between you and your loved ones.

  • Dress for comfort and confidence. If you feel great in what you’re wearing, it shows—and that makes all the difference.

Need help picking outfits? I’m always happy to give feedback if you want to send me a few options ahead of time. Ultimately, the best choice is one that lets your family’s personality shine through.

Don't panic if you don't have these exact colors in your wardrobe - just find something else that coordinates well.  If you browse my site you will see many families that still make other options work well!  Also, try Google and check out the results for something you like! Contact me anytime if you need help!

Best Time of Day for Your Session

For outdoor sessions, natural light is everything—and certain times of day provide the most flattering, soft, golden light (and the happiest kids!).
Here’s what I typically recommend:

  • Spring & Summer: Before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM

  • Fall & Winter: Before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM

These windows help us avoid harsh midday sun and keep things cool and comfortable, especially for younger kids.
That said, I’m always open to scheduling outside these suggested times if needed! Just keep in mind that we may need to get creative with lighting and positioning, and it’s usually easier for little ones when they’re not being asked to stand in very specific spots for the sake of the sun.

Let’s work together to find the best time that fits both your family’s rhythm and the light we need for great photos. 

When Will I Receive My Photos?

You can expect to receive your fully edited gallery within 2 to 3 weeks of your session. During slower seasons, I may deliver even faster—but I always aim to balance speed with the care and quality your images deserve.

Need your photos ASAP?

If you’re in a serious rush, I offer a 48-hour expedited turnaround for an additional $150. This fee covers time spent editing (color correction, touch-ups, cropping, etc.) during late-night hours. Just let me know ahead of time if you need this option, and I’ll make it happen.

How You’ll Receive Your Photos

Once your images are edited and ready, you’ll receive a private online gallery where you can view, download, and share your high-resolution photos with ease.a
Your gallery includes:

  • Unlimited downloads of all final images

  • Full print rights, so you can print and share your photos however you’d like

  • Access to professional print options directly from the gallery (totally optional)

Please note: Galleries remain active for 3 months, so be sure to download your images during that time. If your gallery expires and needs to be reactivated, there’s a $50 unarchiving fee, as it takes time and resources to retrieve and rehost your files.

Prefer your photos on a USB drive? I can mail a USB to your home for an additional $50.