What to Wear for Your Auckland Family Photoshoot
Choosing what to wear for your family photoshoot can feel a little overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Taking some time to thoughtfully plan your outfits can make a huge difference to the final images and help everyone feel comfortable and confident during your session. As an Auckland family photographer, my style is light, soft and natural, with gentle shadowing and beautiful natural light. I love using earthy and neutral tones that complement your skin tones and allow the connection between your family to be the focus of your photographs.
Start With One Outfit!
Rather than trying to choose everyone's clothing at once, start with one outfit that you love. This might be a beautiful dress for Mum, a favourite outfit for your little one, or even a pair of jeans and a knit that Dad feels comfortable in. Once you have your starting point, build the rest of the family's outfits around it using two or three complementary colours. Take a look at the images below to get an idea of how colour can pair together. Your outfits don't need to match perfectly—in fact, coordinating rather than matching usually creates a much more natural and timeless look.
Autumn & Winter Family Photoshoot Outfits
Auckland's cooler months are perfect for embracing richer, earthy tones and beautiful layers. Colours wise, think tan and camel, olive green, rust, mustard, denim and brown. These colours work beautifully with Auckland's natural landscapes, particularly during an outdoor family photography session.
For a cosy look, pair jeans with chunky knits, layer neutral jackets or coats, and add beautiful textures such as wool beanies or scarves.
Spring & Summer Family Photoshoot Outfits
For spring and summer family photography in Auckland, I love light, fresh and relaxed colour palettes. For colours, think cream, blush, soft beige, white, pale blue and soft pastels. Flowy dresses photograph beautifully and add lovely movement to outdoor photographs, particularly when we're walking through long grass or along the beach.
For boys and men, linen shirts, relaxed button-downs, chinos and neutral shorts are great options. Natural fabrics and relaxed silhouettes complement the soft, natural style of my photography.
Don't Be Afraid of Neutrals
Neutral colours are one of my favourite choices for family photographs. Cream, beige, tan, soft brown and muted earthy tones work beautifully with natural light and allow your family's personalities and connections to shine. They also create photographs that feel timeless rather than overly influenced by a particular fashion trend. That being said, if you love colour and thats part of your families personality, then please absolutely include it!
Comfort Is Key
The most important thing to remember when choosing what to wear for your Auckland family photoshoot is to make sure everyone is comfortable.
We'll often be walking, playing and moving around rather than simply standing in one place. Depending on your location, we might be walking through grass, exploring a park or walking along the sand at the beach. Please choose comfortable shoes that you're happy walking in. Beautiful shoes are wonderful, but there's nothing worse than uncomfortable footwear when we're trying to capture relaxed, natural family moments! For little ones especially, choose clothing that allows them to move, run and play freely. And - if you’re wanting to be on the safe side, feel free to bring a change of clothes to leave in the car - especially if you have an adventurous toddler!
What About Matching?
You don't need everyone to wear the same colour or outfit! Instead, aim for coordinating family outfits. Choosing a shared colour palette will create harmony while still allowing everyone's individual personality to come through. For example, Mum might wear a soft cream dress, Dad could wear tan chinos and a linen shirt, while the children wear soft beige, blush or earthy tones. The result feels connected without looking overly coordinated.
Consider Your Location
Your clothing can also complement the location of your family photography session. For an Auckland beach photoshoot, soft neutrals, linen, flowing dresses and natural textures work beautifully against sand, grasses and the ocean. For a park setting, earthy tones such as olive, rust, tan and cream can blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape. When we plan your session, I'll help you choose a location that suits your family and the style of photographs you're hoping to create.
What to Avoid!
Bold colours, logos and lettering (these are very distracting in photographs). Patterns and textures are okay, but keep them simple! Avoid dark navy, grey or black - these colours dominate photos and wash out skin tones - opt for dark brown or light demin instead when possible.
Need Help Choosing Your Outfits?
If you're still unsure, please don't worry! Feel free to send me photographs of your outfit options a few days before your session. You can send them via Instagram, text or email, and I'm always happy to help you decide what will work best together. Most importantly, choose clothing that feels like you.
Your family photos should capture the real connection between you—not just what you were wearing that day. Years from now, I want you to look back at your photographs and remember the cuddles, the laughter, the little personalities and exactly how your family felt in that season of life.
Ready to Book Me as Your Family Photographer?
If you're looking for a natural family photographer in Auckland, I specialise in relaxed outdoor and lifestyle family photography, creating light, timeless images that capture genuine connection and the beautiful chaos of family life. Whether you're planning a family photoshoot in East Auckland, a beach session or an in-home family photography session, I'd love to help you create photographs you'll treasure for years to come.
