Asheville Family Photographer | Tips for What to Wear to Your Photography Session

Pregnant woman and man dancing at Craggy Pinnacle near Asheville, NC.

As an Asheville family photographer, one of the most common questions I receive from families is, “Do you have a guide or any tips on what we should wear to our photo session?” Of course I do! And honestly, I would LOVE to help! Scroll down to see the best tips on what to wear to not only make you look great, but also feel comfortable! 

– Style Tips: For Her 

Say Yes to the Dress 

Dresses and skirts look most stunning because they really flatter every female body, especially on camera — which is probably why the red carpet is always full of so many dresses and not very many pantsuits! I recommend avoiding pants and shorts for your session, and saying yes to a dress or two instead.
Long, full-length, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. Especially when juxtaposed with nature like at the park, in the forest, or on top of a mountain! Consider softer fabrics like chiffon or tulle which allow for beautiful movement in the images. 
When considering the length of your dresses or skirts, it’s also a good idea to factor in whether or not there will be little ones in your photos. If you have smaller children, I’ll likely have you sitting or crouching on the ground to interact up-close with them. Cute, shorter cocktail-length dresses photograph beautifully, but if you have little ones in your photos, a floor-length dress or skirt, or perhaps a cute midi-skirt, will make moving around with your kids much easier, and look perfect on camera, too!
If you’re an expecting mother, I always recommend floor-length gowns or maxi dresses. These dresses create the best silhouettes to flatter your figure and really highlight your bump. A lot of my expecting mothers love to incorporate flower crowns or headpieces as well.

Choosing Colors 

When choosing colors for your outfits, I recommend selecting softer, lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink, muted greens, and muted blues when mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, and leather browns. That softer color palette fits beautifully into almost all natural outdoor environments, and especially compliments the nature here in Asheville!

Flattering Your Features 

In my experience, every woman, regardless of her shape has an area of her body that she’s self-conscious about, so recognizing what area that is in advance is key. Choosing flattering silhouettes and colors that complement your natural features is the best way to ensure you’ll love the way you look in your photos! Remember too, that form fitting clothing looks better on camera than loose clothing. A loose-fitting shirt typically makes a person look wider than their body actually is in a still photograph.
Three-quarter length sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on all arms, so be on the lookout for an option with a longer length sleeve. You could also bring a cute jacket, blazer or cardigan along, too. Skinny straps or strapless dresses have the opposite effect on arms on camera, so I recommend avoiding those whenever possible if your goal is a set of slimmer-looking arms.
Heels elongate women’s legs, making them look fabulous. Closed-toe heels in particular look great on camera because they carry out the line of your leg all the way down to your toe. If your toes are showing in a peep-toe heel, you might want to schedule a pedicure before your session so you don’t regret letting your feet show. These little tricks make all the difference! 
Quick Tip: Bring a pair of easy-to-kick-off flats to wear when moving from place to place in between photos. Your feet will thank you later! 

Make a Statement 

Pairing an accessory or two with your outfit can really help bring some extra dimension to your images, and be a nice tie-in when you’re coordinating with a group. Big statement necklaces bring a lot of pop to the photos, while the smaller, delicate ones are not as noticeable on camera. 
Belts, bracelets and earrings bring great visual interest, so choose one or two that don’t compete for attention. Fresh florals in a crown can be a really romantic touch for you or your girls as well. 

Go Pro: Hair & Makeup 

Professional hair and makeup looks amazing on camera and removes the stress of getting ready on your own! This is a good time to treat yourself! Professional hair and makeup will give you an extra boost of confidence in front of the camera, and it always photographs like a dream. Need a recommendation for a hair stylist and make up artist? Just ask! 
Quick Tip: Confidence. It’s always the best accessory.

Skip the Spray Tan 

Although it might seem counter-intuitive, I recommend that you do not get a spray tan before your session, even a few days prior, because it tends to photograph orange even when it’s applied subtly and by a professional. Your actual skin tone will photograph the most beautifully and naturally!

– Fashion Tips: For Him 

The Best Fit

Long, fitted pants and closed-toed shoes are the most sophisticated and masculine looks for men. They draw attention away from his legs and feet and place it where you want it: on his handsome face. So, for your session, it’s best to leave the shorts, sandals and jeans at home, too, as well as any pants that are loose or baggy. Fitted dress pants or fitted colored pants work best on camera. Solid shades of gray or navy are a strong compliment to most women’s outfits, whereas pinstripes or plaid patterns tend to distract the eye. I also recommend staying away from graphics and logos. 

Layered Looks 

Next time you walk by a store like J. Crew, you’ll notice the male mannequins and models are always wearing several layers at once. Layers on men look great on camera. Adding another layer will bring extra dimension and visual interest to your photos. Blazers, vests and coats up the level of any look. If the temperature permits, he could even consider adding a v-neck sweater with a pop of color from a long-sleeved collared shirt and tie underneath. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative with layers!

Mix It Up 


Many guys love to mix a suit coat, blazer or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some extra visual interest, and breaks up the color tones. I’m a big fan of this fresh take on a timeless classic.

It’s All in the Details 

Brown leather dress shoes compliment almost every look, whether he’s wearing a full suit or a blazer and colored pants. Ties, bow ties, pocket squares, colored socks, belts, tie clips, suspenders, vests and watches are sharp compliments to any outfit for men and boys alike. If you bring two outfits to the session, you can start with a traditional necktie and belt, then switch to suspenders and a bow tie for your second look. If two looks are too stressful, no problem! One will do the trick! You can still mix and match accessories to compliment both of her dresses without doing a full change during the session. So, either way, it’s a win!

– Bring It All Together with the Littles

Because they won’t be little forever.

Coordinating the Crew 

It’s cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don’t actually match. In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about matching, and instead think about what fits together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through!

How to Mix Colors

The goal for coordinating a family is to visually break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing the same color on top and bottom. The more we can mix that up, the better. I encourage you to think about planning each outfit with “dominant colors” and “accent colors” in mind. A dominant color is the color that you see the most in an outfit, while an accent has a smaller piece of visual real estate. When you’re planning each family member’s outfit, if you can aim for each person to have a different dominant color, and then tie in and vary the accent colors, it’s going to look great all together. 
For example, if you’re wearing a blush dress, soft blue earrings and nude heels (blush being your dominant color), then he could wear a navy coat with a white button-down and gray pants, paired with brown leather shoes and maybe even a blush pocket square (making navy his dominant color). Your daughter could wear a soft blue top with a creamy white tulle skirt (making a soft blue her dominant color) while your son wears light beige pants with navy suspenders and a cream button down (making cream his dominant color). Now each person has their own dominant color while still incorporating a few touches of the others that will pull all the looks together. This will break up the color visually and highlight each personality. Most of my moms choose their dress first, and then build the rest of the family’s outfits based around that.
Remember, I recommend selecting those softer, lighter tones and avoiding those ultra-bright, bold colors. The camera loves shades of soft pink, muted greens, and muted blues when mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, and leather browns. Feel free to vary the shades of the colors, too. That softer color palette fits beautifully into a natural environment, and can easily be paired in so many different ways!

Mixing Up the Pieces

If you have multiple children, don’t feel like you need to put them all in the same type of outfit. For example, one of your daughters could wear a dress and flats, while the other wears a skirt and boots. One of your sons could wear a bow tie, while the other one wears suspenders. Mixing up the wardrobe pieces will bring a great visual interest to the photos and show their personalities, too!

Your Home Plays a Role

I also recommend considering where your portraits will be displayed in your home. For larger prints and canvases that may be a focal point in your family room, or be seen from many places, consider your wall colors and the overall style in your home as you plan your wardrobe choices. Remember, color coordination and cohesiveness provides a polished look.

For additional tips on how to prepare your family for their photo session click over to How To Prepare Your Family For A Photo Shoot, and for family photo session location ideas in Asheville, click over to Best Family Photography Session Locations Near Asheville for spots like Biltmore Estate and The NC Arboretum.

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