What to Wear for Your Summer Portrait Session
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One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "What should we wear?"
The good news is that there's no single right answer.
Whether your portrait session is with your family, your children, your partner, your pet, or it's simply a celebration of this season in your own life, what you wear should feel like you. The goal isn't to wear matching outfits or follow the latest trend. It's to choose clothing that allows your relationships, personalities, and expressions to take center stage.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your summer portrait session.
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Start With the End in Mind
Before you even think about colors or styles, think about where your finished portraits will live.
Will they hang above the fireplace? In your living room? Along a hallway? In your bedroom?
When you choose clothing that complements your home's colors and style, your finished artwork feels like it truly belongs in your space. Rather than competing with the room, it becomes part of it.
This is one of the reasons we talk about displaying your portraits before your session even takes place.
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Choose a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
The days of everyone wearing white shirts and blue jeans are behind us.
Instead, choose a simple color palette with three or four complementary colors.
I generally recommend:
- One or two primary colors
- One or two neutral colors such as cream, khaki, denim, gray, or soft white
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Summer in Maine naturally gives us beautiful greens and blues, so colors that create contrast often photograph beautifully, including:
- Navy
- Reds
- Soft pinks
- Greens
- Warm yellows
Rather than everyone wearing the same thing, let each person's clothing complement one another while still reflecting their personality.
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Choose Cream Instead of Bright White
Bright white naturally draws our eyes.
That means a bright white shirt can become the first thing people notice instead of your face.
Whenever possible, choose cream, ivory, oatmeal, or other soft neutral tones instead. They create a warmer, more timeless look while keeping the attention where it belongs... on you.
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Patterns Should Support, Not Compete
Patterns can add interest and personality, but they shouldn't become the main subject of the portrait.
For adults, I recommend subtle patterns and textures over bold stripes or large prints. Heavy stripes, in particular, can be visually distracting and may even make clothing appear wider than it really is.
For children, you have a little more freedom. Florals, polka dots, playful stripes, and fun prints often fit their personalities beautifully.
In general, it's best to avoid clothing with large logos, graphics, or slogans unless they genuinely represent something meaningful to your family.
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Don't Forget About Shoes and Socks
It's easy to spend weeks choosing outfits and completely forget about footwear.
During many portrait sessions, especially at the beach or indoors, shoes may come off. That means socks often become visible.
Take a quick look at everyone's socks and shoes before you leave home. It's a small detail that makes a surprisingly big difference.
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A Few Minutes Can Eliminate Wrinkles
Wrinkles naturally catch light and can become distracting in a portrait.
If ironing isn't your favorite activity, try placing your clothing in the dryer for five to ten minutes with a damp washcloth before your session. It's a quick way to smooth most wrinkles without pulling out the ironing board.
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Comfort Creates Better Portraits
This may be the most important advice I can give.
Wear something that feels comfortable.
If you're constantly adjusting a shirt, pulling at a dress, worrying about a tight collar, or thinking about uncomfortable shoes, it shows.
When you feel comfortable, you naturally smile more, move more freely, and interact more genuinely with the people around you. Those authentic moments are what create meaningful portraits.
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A Few Tips for Everyone
Moms
- Layers and soft textures photograph beautifully.
- Flowing tops and dresses often create graceful movement.
- Keep jewelry simple so it complements rather than competes.
- Since hands are often featured while holding children, hugging, or interacting with family, consider taking a moment to tidy your nails before your session.
Dads
Keep it simple.
A comfortable pair of jeans with a quality t-shirt, sweater, polo, or button-down shirt usually photographs wonderfully. Choose something you can comfortably move, sit, and play in.
And if you're wearing socks, don't be afraid to have a little fun with them.
Children
Children are often the perfect place to introduce a little extra color or personality into your overall wardrobe.
Whether that's fun shoes, colorful socks, playful patterns, or bare feet on the beach, don't be afraid to let kids look like kids.
Babies
Consider bringing a few special items that help tell your family's story.
Some favorites include:
- A favorite blanket
- A special outfit
- Headbands or hats
- Wraps
- A meaningful toy
- Simple onesies
- Diaper covers
For parents planning a few portraits with baby wearing only a diaper cover or wrap, a long-sleeve dark solid-colored shirt photographs beautifully while holding your little one.
Grandparents
Grandparents almost always arrive beautifully dressed.
The one detail I recommend checking is footwear. Since grandparents are often seated during part of the session, socks and shoes may become more noticeable than expected.
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Remember, These Are Guidelines
The best outfit isn't necessarily the one that photographs perfectly.
It's the one that feels authentic to you.
Whether you're dressing up or keeping things casual, choose clothing that reflects your personality and allows you to relax, connect, and simply enjoy being together.
Years from now, you'll remember how this season of life felt far more than whether your shirt had the perfect shade of blue.
If you're still unsure what to wear, don't worry. During your discovery call, we'll talk through your ideas together, and I'm always happy to help coordinate outfits before your portrait session.
For even more inspiration, be sure to explore my Pinterest boards, where you'll find clothing ideas, color palettes, and outfit combinations for a variety of portrait sessions.
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