Deciding what to wear for your family photos in Perth doesn’t need to be scary!  There are a few little things we can keep in mind when planning our families outfits that can help guide us in the right direction.

Choose 2-3 colours that work together

We want to match the family but we don’t want to be wearing all the same outfits (steer clear of the jeans and same colour shirt for everyone look).  For example, say you have a cream dress and brown cardigan and boots. 

Let’s look at your partner now.  He could wear cream chinos and a light top.  Your son could wear tan chinos and a cream shirt and your daughter could wear a brown dress and light shoes. 

You want to match certain item colours and keep the consistency between you, but not be ‘matchy matchy’.  This just creates a connection between you in the images and just looks beautiful. 

What to wear for Beach Family Photos in Perth

Perth Beach photoshoots are notoriously windy, so let’s use that to our advantage.

• For women and girls: flowing dresses are always a win! Maternity sessions and family sessions alike, loose fitting dresses that will allow the wind to blow them around look beautiful. Just a note though, try to ensure these dresses are on the midi-maxi side and are more fitted up top as too much wind can result in some flashes we don’t want!
• For men and boys: shorts and t-shirt/shirt. Shorts are always best because GUARANTEED feet are going to get wet. And what’s worse than wet pants? Wet AND sandy pants that cling to your ankles. Yes, even in Winter. Layer up on top with knits and cardigans, but shorts are always best because someone ALWAYS dips their feet!
• For everyone: go shoe free. Trust me. If we are running, playing and splashing in the sand and water, it’s one less thing we need to bother coordinating because we just don’t need them!
• Colours: so many colours work well on the beach, but I love leaning into the setting surrounding us. So, think blues, greens, neutrals like white, cream and tan. You can’t go wrong!

What to wear for Bush/Park Sessions in Perth

Bushes and park photoshoots in Perth can present more options, and yes, keep your shoes on for these ones!

• For everyone: honestly, most things go here. Dresses, pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, t-shirts, jumpers, knits…all of it. Being in a bushland or forrest location means you can choose the direction you want to go in according to the season. Winter? Knits and warmer clothes. Summer? Dresses and shorts. Just ensure everyone is on the same page with the style because we don’t need half of you rugged up and the other in shorts and t-shirt.
• Colours: for bush and forrest locations, I LOVE earthy tones like deep greens, sage greens, browns both light and dark, burnt oranges, neutrals etc.

What to avoid when dressing for your Family photos

• Patterns: Any crazy, busy patterns that are going to pull the attention away from you and your family, we don’t want.  Try to stick to block colours rather than patterns.  Some florals can work so it’s not a hard and fast rule, but just ask yourself if it is too distracting.  If the answer is yes, then avoid it. And if one person is in florals, try not to dress anyone else in them either.

• Logos: Logos can be distracting and not something we want people focusing on when they see your images.  Plain clothing without the big brand names is what we want to go for. 

How to coordinate without “matching”

1. Choose 2 colours as your ‘main colours’
2. Dress Mum first (us Mum’s tend to have more options and therefore harder to decide what to wear!) in either a one piece like a dress/jumpsuit etc OR if doing top and bottom, chose one of the chosen colours for the top and neutral bottoms
3. Choose Dad’s shirt in one of the other of the chosen colours, paired with neutral bottoms of a different shade/colour to Mum (e.g Mum wears tan, Dad wears dark brown)
4. Dress child in the same colour as Mum or Dad in a different shade (e.g Dad wearing dark green, child wears sage) and neutral bottoms in the same colour as the other parent
5. If a younger second child (under 2), I LOVE to use overalls. It breaks up the “top and bottoms” look and you can choose whichever main colour paired with neutral body suit underneath.
6. If it’s going to be cold, LAYERS. Especially if you are all in top and bottoms. Someone can wear a knitted jumper, someone can wear a longer cardigan, someone can wear long sleeves and a vest. Anything that is going to bring new textures in and create some diversity in lengths and styles

Final Tips for Stress-Free Outfits for your Family photoshoot in Perth

• Weather: Perth’s weather goes from one extreme to the next, so lean into it. As I mentioned, if it’s Winter, layer up and use different textures. If it’s hot, keep the layers light and ensure bub’s are not dressed in too many layers. It might look cute, but if anyone is feeling too hot, the discomfort will show in the photos.
• Textures: Embrace different textures. Woollen knits, linen, cotton, sequins…embrace it all!
• Footwear: in bush/park/forrests ALWAYS wear appropriate footwear. This is Perth, we know there are bugs, spiders and all sorts on the ground. Safety first always.

FAQ for dressing for your Family Photos in Perth

1. What colours look best for family photos? I love earthy and neutral tones as they are classy, timeless and photograph beautifully.
2. What colours should we avoid for family photos? Bold and “loud” colours like fluros, bright greens, yellow and red. Especially since these colours can also reflect some of the tones onto your skin and create a different hue on your final images.
3. Should family outfits match? Yes and no. You should aim to avoid “matchy matchy” outfits like white t-shirts and jeans (unless you are doing one of my Awkward Mini Sessions where this is HIGHLY encouraged) but aim to have 2 colours and neautrals to compliment them with various clothing pieces for each person.
4. What should Mums wear for family photos in Perth? Anything goes! Dresses, playsuits, jumpsuits, shorts, jeans. But whatever you choose, make sure everyone else is on the same page with the style (i.e casual, elegant, etc)
5. How many outfits should we bring to a family photoshoot? Generally one is all we need. Kids are not interested in changing outfits and unless there is a specific reason (a pregnany announcement shirt or something), it’s not needed.
6. What should I wear for maternity photos in Perth? I’m glad you asked! If you are looking to hire a dress knowing it won’t be needed again past pregnancy, I love the dresses from Mama Rentals. She ships to Perth and you will be stoked with the quality and variety of styles available.
7. What should we wear for outdoor Summer family photos in Perth? Less is more. Summer is brutal and it is hot even in the evenings, so the least amount of layers as possible is always recommended.
8. What if we don’t have matching outfits for our family photos? Don’t stress! This is your session and the outfits you feel comfortable in are what matter. If being a cohesive style is important to you though, send me your options and I can mix and match what works best.
9. What if my kids refuse to wear their outfits for the photoshoot? Bring the outfits along and I can help coax them into it! If all else fails, we are not above a chocolate bribe…
10. Can we send you outfits before our session? Always! Happy to go over your options with you and discuss what works best.

I’ll leave you with this thought though…just be yourself.  This is your family shoot, your maternity session, your newborn photos.  You want to look back and see yourself and your family as you are and not trying to fit a mould of what someone else thinks looks good.  If you are comfortable in it and it represents you, then wear it!

If you want my help with what to wear for your family photoshoot, please send me your options or a message to discuss and I will be happy to help.