YOU BOOKED YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS… NOW WHAT DO I WEAR?!
WELCOME TO YOUR Comprehensive Family Photo STYLING & Location GUIDE.
CURATING YOUR HEIRLOOM MEMORIES.
A family session is more than just a photo—it’s a legacy portrait. My goal is to help you create a look that feels intentional and curated, resulting in images that feel like timeless pieces of art rather than a standard family portrait.The goal of this guide isn’t to give you "homework," but to provide a calm, intentional roadmap for curating your family's wardrobe. When you feel confident, beautiful, and authentic, it radiates through the lens. By following these principles of texture, palette, and coordination, we will create a gallery of timeless heirlooms that feel uniquely like you.
***Style Inspiration: Images below are sourced via Pinterest to illustrate wardrobe concepts and are not the work of Lisa Leo Photography. ***
The Foundation: Setting the Scene
Before picking an outfit, consider where your family feels most at home. The location dictates the "vibe" of your wardrobe.
The Studio: Minimalist & Intentional. If you love a clean, editorial look, the studio offers a "blank canvas." This is best for High-Fashion Editorial moments or classic Black & White portraits. It’s private, climate-controlled, and timeless.
The Beach: Wild & Romantic. For families who love a playful, unscripted vibe. This is about movement—running through the sand at Spanish Banks or exploring the driftwood at Iona.
The Field or Park: Warm & Organic. Think tall golden grass and mossy trees at Stanley Park. This provides a lush, earthy frame that feels grounded and classic—perfect for those Fall/Winter transition vibes.
In-Home: Raw & Nostalgic. Documenting your family in your own sanctuary. These sessions are slow, quiet, and deeply personal.
Define Your Family Aesthetic
Are you leaning toward Chic Editorial, Casual Lifestyle, or Cozy Fall? Your wardrobe should speak the same language as your location to create a cohesive story..
Consider the Season: While a sundress can work at the beach year-round, your comfort is a priority. In the cooler months, leaning into thick wools, suedes, and chunky knits will keep everyone relaxed and looking "cozy-chic." You can choose to match your setting perfectly or intentionally contrast it—like a high-fashion gown in a rugged field—for a more dramatic, editorial look.
The Lead: Start With Mom
When it comes to styling a family, my best advice is to start with Mom. Choose your outfit first and build everyone else’s look around it. When you feel confident, beautiful, and authentic, it sets the tone for the entire session. Your comfort and energy radiate through the lens; once your look is curated, the rest of the family’s wardrobe will naturally fall into place.
For the Men: The Supporting Foundation
While Mom leads the style, the men provide the supporting foundation for the aesthetic. I suggest leaning more dressy than casual to ensure the images feel like an intentional heirloom.
The Details: Avoid wrinkled tees and scuffed sneakers. While I can edit, retouching wrinkles or logos on 60+ images is a timely process that results in additional charges.
The Fit: I recommend tucked-in shirts with a belt for a clean silhouette—we can always untuck for a relaxed feel later.
The Prep: Ensure shirts and tees are crisp and freshly pressed with no pilling. Layering with a shacket or a leather jacket is a great way to add personal style while keeping the look sophisticated.
Styling the Kids: The Art of the "Flip"
Don’t match your kids to your outfit. If everyone wears the same color, they will blend into you when you hold them.
The Technique: If Dad is in a white button-up and beige pants, put your son in a beige sweater and denim. This "flips" the colors so everyone stands out.
Mixing Patterns: It is okay to mix! A daughter in a soft floral can be paired with a son in a subtle earthy plaid or a textured knit.
Pro Tip: Apply a little chapstick or sheer gloss to the kids’ lips before we start to prevent them from looking dry in close-ups.
The Palette & Pattern Strategy
For a timeless look that keeps the focus on your faces and connection, I always recommend starting with a foundation of Neutrals (Black, White, Ivory, Tan, and Cognac).
Earthy Tones: If you want to lean into color, choose muted, organic hues like Sage, Moss, Rust, Mustard, or Navy.
Prints & Patterns: Don’t be afraid to mix them! If you have 5+ people in a session, incorporating prints is the best way to ensure the photo doesn't feel "flat." A daughter in a soft, muted floral can be beautifully paired with a dad in a subtle, earthy plaid. * The Balance: While I love prints, I don’t suggest everyone wearing one. Keep patterns small-scale and ensure they stay within the same color family to avoid a look that is too "busy."
Creating Depth with Texture
If mixing patterns feels intimidating, mix textures instead. This is the secret to a rich, tactile gallery. To add depth without distraction, prioritize natural fabrics that photograph beautifully:
The Essentials: Think chunky knits, crisp linen, smooth silk, organic gauze, or delicate lace.
The Layers: Incorporating denim, leather, and wool adds a high-end, editorial quality to the frame.
The "Never" List
To protect the heirloom quality of your images and avoid unnatural skin reflections (color casting), please avoid:
Logos & Bold Graphics: These date your photos instantly.
Athletic Fabrics: Avoid "dry-fit" or shiny synthetic materials.
Neon & Fluorescent Colors: These reflect harsh light back onto your jawline and face.
Style Favorites & Silhouettes
If you aren’t sure where to start, these curated combinations are tried-and-true favorites for a timeless gallery:
The Classics: Relaxed denim paired with a crisp white tee, a white button-up, or a neutral sweater. This look is effortless, iconic, and perfect for the beach or an in-home session.
The Modern Editorial: Think sleek and sophisticated. For women, a silk slip dress or a structured knit midi dress. For men, a monochrome look—like a black turtleneck or a dark, well-fitted polo with tailored trousers. It feels high-end, clean, and incredibly polished.
The Romantic: Flowy sundresses, linen trousers, and soft button-downs. These pieces create movement in your photos, especially in the wind at the beach or a field. Two-piece sets (like a long skirt and crop top) are also a beautiful way to show off a silhouette.
The Layered Look: This is the key to that "Lifestyle" feel. Incorporate cardigans, linen button-downs, open shackets, or a classic leather jacket. Layering adds depth and allows us to change your look mid-session simply by removing a piece.
Footwear & Final Touches
Your styling should feel like a more polished version of yourselves. You don't necessarily need an entirely new wardrobe for your session; often, the best looks come from reworking pieces already in your closet. Try different combinations and see what feels most authentic to you. If you’re still feeling stuck, I work with highly recommended virtual stylists who can help curate your family's look from start to finish.
Practical Footwear: Please choose footwear appropriate for our location. Save the heels for a Studio or City Chic shoot. If we are in a field or at the beach, comfort is key to capturing those candid, playful moments.
Protecting Little Feet: It is vital that the kids are comfortable so they can enjoy the session without complaining that their feet hurt. In certain environments, safety outweighs aesthetic. If we are shooting in fields with dry, tall grass, please avoid open-toed shoes for the children to prevent cuts or splinters. We want them running and playing, not worried about where they step!
The "Lived-In" Look: I always recommend going barefoot at the beach. It creates a relaxed, timeless vibe that is well worth the cold sand. For other locations, be authentic—if your family lives in Blundstones or cowboy boots, wear them!
Minimal Accessories: Keep jewelry and extras simple. This is about your family connection, not a product campaign for a brand. Accessories should compliment your look, not distract from it.
Pinterest: Inspiration vs. Reality: I love seeing what inspires you! Sharing your Pinterest saves is a great way for me to understand the "vibe" and energy you want for your photos, but please remember that Pinterest is for inspiration, not a shot list. The images we admire online usually happen in a split second of unscripted magic—a real laugh, a tight hug, or a chaotic run through a field. Trying to force a specific "recreation" can lead to stress and stiff expressions, so instead, let’s use those images to set the tone and flow of our session. By staying present and following your family’s natural lead, we allow for authentic magic to happen; the raw, "undone" moments of your family being themselves will always be far more precious than a copy of someone else’s photo.
The Extended Family: Documenting Your Legacy
When styling for a multigenerational session, the goal is to look like you belong together without looking like a uniform. Coordination is vital for large groups to ensure the final gallery feels cohesive, intentional, and balanced.
The Palette Strategy: Choose a base color family (like Earthy Neutrals or Cool Tones) and have each nuclear family unit branch out within that palette. Different shades of the same color—like a mix of champagne, ivory, tan, and cognac—will look significantly more high-end than 15 people in the exact same white shirt.
Mixing Prints in Large Groups: With a large group, you have more "visual real estate," which means you can—and should—incorporate various prints. Mixing subtle plaids, soft florals, and textures like knits or linen prevents the group from looking like a "flat" block of solid color.
The "Anchor" Families: To keep the group balanced, have one or two people in "statement" textures or subtle patterns, while others wear solid neutrals. This draws the eye around the frame and keeps the composition interesting.
Coordinate by Household: A great trick is to have each individual family unit coordinate their own look first, then check them against the larger group's palette. This ensures that the smaller "family of four" shots look just as curated as the "grandparents with all the grandkids" shots.
Pro Tip: For extended families, I recommend avoiding "micro-patterns" (tiny, tight checks or stripes). These can sometimes create a distorted "wave" effect on camera known as moiré. Stick to larger, softer knits and organic patterns for the best result.
Beauty: Hair & Makeup
Whether you are doing your own glam or hiring a pro, the goal is to enhance your natural features.
Hair: Focus on a smooth finish. Taming flyaways is the best way to ensure your hair looks intentional and polished, especially in the outdoor Vancouver wind.
Makeup: Camera sensors tend to "flatten" features, so don't be afraid to wear more blush and bronzer than you usually would. A very "natural" look in person can sometimes translate to looking washed out on screen.
Embrace the Now: Whether you are expecting or in the thick of motherhood, your body and features change. I want you to do your makeup in a way that makes you feel confident and embrace these changes rather than hiding them.
For the Men: A fresh haircut goes a long way. Whether he prefers a clean shave or a couple of days of growth, ensure it’s groomed and feels like "him" at his best.
If you aren't comfortable doing your own hair and makeup, I have a trusted team of specialists I work with often. Let me know if you’d like to secure a booking with them for your session!
STILL FEELING LOST?
Don't worry—I’m here to help you cross the finish line. I work closely with a few incredible stylists and have some highly recommended professionals who specialize in both in-person and virtual styling for your family. They can help you curate every detail from head to toe, ensuring your vision comes to life effortlessly.
Let me know if you’d like their help, and I will happily pass along their contact information!
