What to Wear for a Natural Family Photoshoot in London

One of the most common questions I get asked before a shoot is: “What should we wear?” And I completely understand why. You're investing in beautiful family photos to hang on your walls, and of course, you want to feel good in them. But if the idea of picking out the perfect outfit or coordinating colours feels a bit stressful or not "you"—don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Let me walk you through my approach, and hopefully take the pressure off.

🎯 My Philosophy: Be You

I’m a natural family photographer based in London, and I specialise in relaxed, real-life photography—outdoors or in your home. My style isn’t about stiff poses or curated wardrobes. It’s about capturing connection, emotion, and the moments that make your family your family.

Most of the families I photograph show up in casual clothes—what they actually wear day-to-day—and honestly, that’s what I prefer. I don’t send out catalogues of style guides or colour-coordinating checklists. There’s no pressure to be anyone other than yourselves.

If your child loves wearing a floaty flowery dress, that’s perfect. If they’re more into shorts and a hoodie, great. The goal is to feel comfortable, and for your photos to reflect real life—not a curated version.

👕 A Few Practical Tips

That said, there are a few things worth keeping in mind:

• Avoid bold logos, cartoon characters, and big brand names—they tend to draw attention away from your faces and the emotion of the image.

  
  

• Think about how you look together—you don’t need to match, but try to avoid visual clashes. You want your outfits to feel like they all live in the same universe.

  
  

• Be true to your style—If heels are your thing, wear them! (Though for the record, no one’s ever turned to the Forest in heels… yet. In the home environment, and it’s your thing, why not?

  
  

👜 What About Bags, Buggies, and Backup Gear?

Outdoor Shoots often feel like a little mini-adventure, especially with small kids involved. We’ll wander around a park, a patch of woodland, or through your local neighbourhood, which means you’ll probably have a bag or buggy with you. Totally normal.

The only thing is, when it comes time for photos, most parents (especially mums) don’t want the bag in the shot. So we often end up hiding it behind a tree, or—I’ll carry it. If you can manage to travel light, it’s more freeing. But I’ve been there with small kids—there were days when I also needed a donkey to haul all the extras.

📱 Phones, Sunglasses & Pocket Bulges

One small but surprisingly common thing: phones in pockets. They make strange rectangular bulges that can distract from otherwise lovely photos. I’m always happy to keep phones (and sunglasses!) in my rucksack while we’re shooting.