Styled outfits can transform a lovely photo into a stunning portrait. Here are the tips and tricks that will ensure you all look 'naturally effortless'. For outfit inspiration, visit my 'What to Wear' Pinterest board.

The basics

Keep your colours generally neutral and light and similar shades. Avoid bright or shiny whites. If any clothing items are white, please ensure it’s a textured fabric, like linen or a knit. My 'What to Wear' Pinterest board will give you examples of what outfits work best with my style of photography and my most popular locations.

Effortless style

Timeless and classic, not trendy and labelled. Select a slightly dressier version of your everyday style. We can always tone it down by removing shoes when seated, rolling up sleeves or trousers etc. Avoid clothing with graphics, writing, logos, or bold patterns. Footy shirts, surf shirts, fashion labelled logos and licensed kids clothing are distracting and take the focus away from your faces.

Start with Mum

Mum, choose your outfit first and build the rest of the family around this. A maxi dress is my go-to. Flowy maxi’s are so fun to play with, allow you to move around with the kids. If you're absolutely not a 'dress' kind of girl, then a maxi skirt or flowy pants are the next best thing. Flowy fabric gives movement, and this is what will give your photos a natural feel. The eye is drawn to bare skin and we want this to be your gorgeous faces, so if you're not too fussed about having your upper arms on show, I recommend sleeves roughly to the elbows.

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And while you're ordering your dress, find something for the kids too, with affordable and timeless outfits like rompers, overalls, vintage and lace dresses.

Next up is Dad

Ditch the white business shirt and choose something smart casual and textured. In the warmer months, waffle long sleeve tees or linen shirts are the perfect option for Dad. In the cooler months, wool knits or linen shirts with a thin fitted knit over the top always photograph well and are a timeless look. Long pants/jeans/chinos are great. If we're at the beach we you roll these up for a play in the shallow water towards the end of the shoot.

Kids (girls)

Classic styles that are easy to move in and don't have to be constantly adjusted are a great option. Dresses in vintage or classic styles photograph beautifully. Pinafores layered over knit or textured cotton tops with tights of vintage/textured stockings underneath work well for the cooler months. Adding stockings or leggings will also give them freedom to move around without worrying about showing undies. My 'What to Wear' Pinterest board is full of ideas for girls and teens.

Kids (boys)

Long pants, jeans or chinos (without belt), just like Dad, are a great option for bottoms. Waffle long sleeve tees, linen shirts and wool knits for the top. My 'What to Wear' Pinterest board is full of ideas for boys and teens.

Baby

If your family shoot includes your new bub or infant, feel free to bring along an old heirloom blanket, bonnet or any outfits you’d like to include. One-piece suits like ‘Onesies’ or ‘rompers’ are best, as two-piece outfits tend to separate and ride up when you’re holding or bouncing bub. Vintage knits in alpaca fabric (soft and comfy) are gorgeous, even for boys. Etsy is the best place to find handmade knitted rompers or bonnets created especially for photo shoots.

Shoes or no shoes

If we’re shooting at the beach, you won’t need closed in shoes. Just bring slides or thongs (that you can easily kick off) to protect your feet from shells, rocks or driftwood. If we’re shooting elsewhere, stick with neutral coloured casual shoes like tans, browns, beiges. Soft moccasins or soft sole oxfords, pre-walkers or little leather boots are great for infants and tiny tots. We want to bring attention to your faces, not your feet.

Choosing your colours

Classic, timeless outfits with neutrals and muted colours are a perfect base for your outfit selection.

Neutrals

Colours such as putty, sand, ivory, forest green, navy and tan would all be considered neutral colours.

Muted

Toned down or subtle colours (not bright or have been subdued, dulled or greyed), like the colours of nature at the end of winter or early spring. Earth tones emulate natural colours found in dirt, moss, trees and rocks.

Pastels

If you don't suit neutral colours, you could introduce some pastel colours like muted light blue or green, dusty pink or peach. Pastels are clean, soft and breezy and suited to a beach shoot where the backdrop of sand and sea is clean and bright.

How to put your colours together

Step 1 - Choose your base neutral

Choose 1-2 neutrals or muted colours as your base.

Step 2 - Choose your accent colours (warm/cool)

Then add a muted darker shade (you can mix up warm and cool) for small accents throughout the family.

Cool: Chambray and denim are also great for casual looks. Muted versions of silver or gunmetal.

Warm: Muted versions of gold, copper or bronze work beautifully with a natural environment.

Tips

• Avoid matching exact colours. Use variations (tints or shades) of each colour.
• Avoid neon colours, even in shoes and accessories. They will cast weird colours on your skin and generally look distracting in your photos.

Harmonise with your natural backdrop

The rule for beautifully styled photos is to choose colours that reflect your shoot location. The examples above are excellent examples of clothing colours that harmonise with the natural backdrop. Colours like cream, white, beige and muted tones of gold from sand/dry grass, muted forest greens, khakis, browns, tans and olives of the trees. You could also introduce small amounts of muted blues or greens (water and sky) or very small highlights of dark green or navy. Muted, organic Autumn colours look magical in outdoor photos at any time of year.

Rules with wearing white

Avoid bright or shiny whites. If any clothing items are white, please ensure it’s a textured fabric that absorbs (not reflects) the light. Some examples include linen, wool knits, crochet, embroidery, lace, tweed, ribbed weave (like corduroy) and waffle cotton. Details like ruffles, pleats, bows etc. deflect the light and add interest to white garments.

Coordinate, not matchy-matchy

Avoid identical outfits. Rather than all button down shirts and shorts for the boys, choose a combination of button up shirts and long sleeve waffle shirts. If you don't have the luxury of different outfit options for siblings, create variety with shades of colour, different textures, detailing or small pattern.

Texture, pattern and detailing

Instead of using bright colours and bold patterns in outfits, it's more timeless to use texture, small repetitive pattern and detailing to add dimension and character to your photos.

Texture

Texture is often overlooked, but so important! Choose fabrics with raw textures or weaves for effortless sophistication, like linen, crocheted cotton, denim or bulky cable knits. Choose man-made fabrics with texture like embroidery, lace, crepe, tweed, ribbed weave (like corduroy) or waffle cotton (honeycomb pattern like the blankets you see in hospitals). It is absolutely worth the extra effort.

Pattern

Pattern can be used to create interest in your photos. Use subtle, small, repetitive pattern like gingham (tiny checks) and stick to the same colour shades.

Detailing

This is how we create interest and character in your outfits. Neutral coloured outfits are transformed with detailing like bows, cut-outs, ruffles, shirring, small consistent patterns (e.g. gingham), buttons, scalloping etc.

Avoid shiny fabrics like polyester and absolutely no bright white shirts please.

Accentuate your favourite bits

Use your accent colour, cute accessories or fitted clothing to accentuate your favourite features.

If you have any areas that aren't your favourite bits, work to camouflage those. It can be as simple as wearing long flowy sleeves to cover your arms, or a wrapped or rouched dress to hide a tummy.

Please be mindful of exposed bra straps, too much cleavage from different angles and please put your daughters in leggings or vintage stockings if wearing a dress, so they can play and have fun.

Remember, we are naturally drawn to exposed skin in photos … and this should be your family’s gorgeous faces!

Lay your outfits side-by-side

Lay outfits on bed to see what they look like together. Move them around to get a feel for what your photos will look like. Feel free to send me a photo — I would love to assist!

Clothing tips

Here are some guidelines that will ensure a timeless look:



•  Avoid clothing items with pronounced logos, emblems or brand stamps
• Avoid shiny polyester fabrics — especially no shiny white fabrics
• Avoid fluoro or bright colours as the colour will reflect onto your face
• Avoid business shirts, belts or business/formal shoes — think ‘timeless casual’
• Avoid sports shoes or licensed character shoes (like Disney or sports themed)
• Avoid ill-fitting clothes that need to be constantly adjusted
• Avoid chunky or fashion jewellery if you want a timeless look
• I don’t Photoshop out bra straps — please choose an outfit that covers them
• Dress watches are okay to wear, but remove smart or sports watches
• Keep your colours generally neutral and light and similar shades
• Choose colours that blend with the colour palette of your chosen location
• Use texture, fine repetitive pattern and/or detailing to add dimension and character to your photos and create variety between outfits
• Alternate or mix up light and dark shades between tops and bottoms of outfits
• During the cooler months, undergarments like thin thermals hug the skin and keep you warm
• For little ones, ribbed leggings or crochet vintage stockings can be worn under short dresses
• Layers are great for changing temperature — knitted jumpers work well for warmth

Props

Props aren’t necessary at all, but if there’s something that you’d particularly like to incorporate, don’t hesitate to bring it along. The best prop is your family dog, if you have one! You might like to incorporate a family tradition, like playing the guitar or kicking the footy.

Makeup and grooming

If you normally wear makeup, please add a little more contouring and highlighter, mascara and lip gloss/lipstick. The camera and time of day (sunset) dulls the effect of makeup. Avoid a really dark or smoky eye in a natural outdoor setting – lighter makeup on your eyes is preferred.

A photo shoot is a great excuse for a mani or pedi 😊 I love to capture hands in photos as they represent connection between family members. If we're shooting at the beach, we will probably kick off our shoes for a casual look.

Avoid fake tan (unless it’s really natural) and drink plenty of water the night before. If you have blemishes that need hiding, please let me know and I’ll do my best to avoid photographing you close up on that side of the face. ‘Touch ups’ (cosmetic retouching) are available to purchase after you have selected your photos.

Bring baby wipes for little eyes and mouths.

Assistance

If you have any questions or want to show me outfits, please get in touch! I LOVE styling your outfits and no question is too silly. Outfits can transform a lovely photo to an epic and timeless art piece, so please let me assist if you’re not sure what to choose.

Remember, these are guidelines only — your family’s comfort comes first.