Updated October 13, 2026
To choose outfits for a family or couples photoshoot, pick one base outfit that you can’t wait to wear, then build everyone else’s look around its colors, one outfit at a time. I’m Katie Donnelly, a Paris family photographer, and this is the method I share with my clients.
What You’ll Find in This Blog:
Step 1: Choose a Base Outfit
Building “looks” (outfits) for your photo session is SO much easier than it seems. I promise!
The trick is to choose a base outfit. Ideally this is one that you can’t wait to wear and feel amazing in. Maybe it’s a stunning red dress you haven’t yet had the occasion to wear, or perhaps your son has a darling outfit that you’ve just picked up. Other great options are your daughters favorite dress, your husbands flannel shirt he loves, or for a more styled approach think about renting a gorgeous dress from Rent the Runway, C’est ma Robe or heading over to Anthropologie.
Step 2: Build the Other Outfits Around It
So you’ve picked your base outfit, something that pops, what’s next? Well, we build around it! Take colors in the base outfit and incorporate them into the rest. Build one outfit at a time if there are multiple people.
Outfit Example for a Couple
Example, for a couple, let’s start with a red cocktail dress. A great outfit to go with the style is a blue suit with a black or red bow tie. Red and blue are complimentary colors and look great together. To add accessories (which I encourage!!) try a great watch or a statement necklace.
Outfit Example for a Family of Four
For a family of four, let’s say the base outfit is your daughter’a favorite white dress and cute beige leather sandals. From there we have tons of options. Hubs could wear seafoam (light blue) colored jeans with a clean fitted white tee. Imagine you in a gorgeous pink and white bohemian inspired maxi dress with a leather belt and your son in blue jeans and a checkered white and grey button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Toss in some sperrys for your son and husband and wedges for you and we’re golden! Optional accessories: lots of bracelets, a black floppy oversized sun hat, suspenders for your son, a little pink flower crown for your daughter… Remember, have fun with it!
Styling Tip: Make Sure Everything Fits Now
Styling tip: kids grow like crazy so you’re always buying bigger sizes so they can wear them for longer.. When looking for outfits for your session make sure it fits perfectly NOW. Nothing is more distracting than seeing your son’s underwear because his jeans won’t stay up!
There are some things photoshop can’t help you with and that is fitted clothing so be sure to keep that in mind while shopping!
More Help Choosing Outfits
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This is just ONE of the many great tips in the comprehensive what to wear guide we send to all of our clients once they book. In the meantime, read what to wear for a Paris photoshoot: the ultimate guide, how to incorporate French fashion into your photoshoot and how to layer like a Parisian, and shop my favorite pieces on ShopMy.
Outfits sorted. Ready to book?
Our English-speaking team photographs families and couples in Paris at sunrise. Sessions start at €150, and our complete what to wear guide is yours as soon as you book.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
Questions About What to Wear for Family Photos
Choose one base outfit, something that pops and that the person loves wearing. Then take colors from it and work them into everyone else’s outfits, one outfit at a time.
Coordinate rather than match. Build around the colors of one base outfit so everyone looks like they belong together without wearing the same thing.
Red and blue look great together. For example, a red cocktail dress with a blue suit and a black or red bow tie.
Yes, they are encouraged: a great watch, a statement necklace, bracelets, a sun hat, suspenders for your son or a flower crown for your daughter.
Clothes that fit perfectly now, not a size up. Photoshop cannot fix clothing that does not fit.
“Zoë put us at ease right away during our family photoshoot in the Jardin de Luxembourg and had some great ideas for different settings and poses.”
Clementine D., family photoshoot
5-star Google review
About the author
Katie Donnelly, Paris Photographer
Katie Donnelly is an American photographer who opened her Paris studio in 2013 and was voted Best Portrait Photographer in Paris in 2017. She and her English-speaking team photograph families, couples and solo travelers at sunrise, so visitors go home with relaxed, real portraits instead of rushed selfies. Meet Katie and the team.
Ready to Book Your Paris Photoshoot?
Remember, have fun with it! We will take care of the rest.
- When: Mornings, just after sunrise, when the city is quiet
- Who: Families, couples, engagements and proposals, and solo travelers, with an English-speaking team
- Your photos: Viewed the same day at our studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Session fee: From €150. Inquire for our full price list.
Tell us your dates and we will help you plan the rest.
Or first see how a Paris photoshoot with us works.
