1. Start With the Anchor Piece

(Also known as “Dress Mom First”)

The easiest way to build a beautiful, coordinated family look is to start with one intentional piece. Most families choose:

• Mom’s outfit
• a meaningful piece for the youngest child
• a color or texture that feels special to your family

I call this the anchor piece because it sets the tone for color, texture, and mood.
Once we choose that anchor, everything else becomes simple we pull colors from it, we echo its textures, and we let the rest of the family flow around that choice.

This keeps everyone looking harmonious without feeling matchy or overthought.

2. Choose a Palette That Breathes

(Soft, natural tones blend beautifully)

Colors inspired by nature tend to photograph the most beautifully and feel calm in every season. Some client favorites:

• creams, oatmeal, ivory
• dusty blue, sage, eucalyptus
• warm taupe, wheat, sand
• muted rose, clay, terracotta
• soft grays, mushroom, stone

Think of these shades as “breathable neutrals” tones that flatter skin, blend seamlessly into landscapes, and keep the emotion front and center.

You don’t need to avoid color; just choose versions that feel soft rather than bright or neon. Bright whites can also look cooler on camera, so off-whites blend more naturally if your palette leans warm.

3. Let Texture & Layers Do the Heavy Lifting

(The secret to elevated but effortless)

Texture quietly elevates photos. It brings depth without being loud. Think:

• linens
• soft cotton
• knits
• ribbed sweaters
• washed denim
• subtle prints or tiny florals

These photograph beautifully and feel comfortable to wear.

Patterns are welcome just let them be soft and choose them intentionally for one or two people rather than everyone. It keeps the focus on connection, not clothing.

4. Prioritize Movement

(“If it moves, it photographs”)

Pieces that move with you create the most emotive images.

• dresses that sway
• skirts that catch a breeze
• relaxed silhouettes
• soft fabrics that bend and breathe

Think “comfortable, elevated, easy.”
Nothing stiff, tight, or restrictive — you want to be able to lift your babies, walk in the sand, kneel down, or snuggle on a blanket without thinking about your clothes.

5. Coordinate, Don’t Match

(Think: same story, different characters)

Matching outfits tend to feel forced.
Coordinating outfits tell a story.

Try choosing 2–4 shared tones and then letting each person interpret that palette in their own way:

• Mom in sage
• Partner in oatmeal
• Baby in soft blue
• Older child in warm wheat

Everyone visually belongs together, but no one looks identical.

This is effortless, modern, and incredibly flattering in photos.

6. Dress with the Location in Mind

(Your backdrop is part of the palette)

Different locations invite different kinds of textures and tones.

Beach or Coastal
• breathable linens
• soft neutrals and sea-inspired colors
• bare feet or simple sandals

Fields, Parks, Inland Spaces
• earthy tones
• texture-forward pieces
• cozy layers in cooler months

Indoor Lifestyle Sessions
• cozy knits
• light neutrals
• bare feet
• layered textures (cardigan, blanket, soft wraps)

Let the landscape help guide your choices.
This makes the gallery feel cohesive start to finish.

7. Keep It Simple

(“When in doubt, simplify”)

The most emotional images come from subtle, timeless choices.

If you’re stuck between two options, choose the one that feels:

• softer
• more comfortable
• less busy
• more you

And if your child insists on wearing their neon sneakers or favorite lovey that’s okay. Comfort always comes first, and nothing good ever comes from a wardrobe battle.

8. Confidence Is the Best Styling Tool

(You should feel like you, not a character)

Wear pieces that let you move, breathe, play, cuddle, and be fully present.
You don’t need anything fancy to be beautiful you just need to feel comfortable and confident.

If an outfit makes you tug, adjust, or feel unsure, the camera will pick that up.
But when you feel good?
You soften. You connect. You’re present.
And that is what makes the images magic.

Final Thought

These sessions are not about perfect outfits.
They’re about the season your family is in your laughter, your gentle moments, your connection.

Your wardrobe should support that, not overshadow it.
Choose pieces that feel calm, connected, and true to your story, and I’ll help guide the rest.