Family · 4 min read
What to Wear for Family Photos in Toronto & Richmond Hill
Choosing clothes for a family session can feel like the hardest part of getting ready. Start with comfort and a few colours you love, then build from there. Your outfits should help you feel like yourselves.
Choose a small colour palette
Start with two or three colours that work together. Cream, oatmeal and soft brown create a warm, gentle combination. Muted blue, ivory and denim can feel relaxed and familiar. You do not need everyone to wear exactly the same shade.
Choose one outfit first—often the person who finds shopping hardest—and use it as a starting point for the others. Lay everything together on a bed and take a phone photo. It is easier to notice a colour that feels out of place when you see the whole group.
Think about texture and movement
A knitted cardigan, a linen shirt or a softly flowing skirt can add interest without a busy pattern. Large logos and bold lettering can pull attention away from faces. If you love a print, try using it on one person and keeping the other outfits simpler.
Sit down, bend your knees and pick up your child while wearing your outfit. Family portraits involve movement and closeness, so clothes that let you move comfortably make a real difference.
Prepare for children to be children
Let children try on their clothes before session day. Scratchy fabrics, tight shoes and unfamiliar accessories can become distractions. Give them a choice between two outfits you already like so they can feel involved.
Pack a spare outfit, wipes and a familiar comfort item. Keep the conversation about the session light: you are spending time together, with a photographer there to capture it. Nobody needs to practise a perfect smile.
Match your outfits to the setting
Tell Sahar whether you are imagining a studio, an outdoor setting or an in-home session. Consider the background as well as the season. Layers are useful outdoors, while simple clothing often works beautifully against a quiet studio backdrop.
Before buying anything new, look through what you already own. If you are unsure, send a photo of your outfit ideas with your enquiry. We can discuss the look you want before your session in Richmond Hill, Aurora or elsewhere in the GTA.
Build a wardrobe for the photographs you want to keep
Before deciding between light and dark outfits, think about where your photographs will live. A cream outfit against a gentle studio background can suit a quiet album or a bright room. Deeper colours can work beautifully too, especially when you want a little more contrast. Plain white is often an easy starting point because it coordinates with many other colours and settings. Check how it looks in the chosen light and backdrop; it is a useful option, not a rule. There is no requirement to dress in beige. The aim is a small group of colours that support one another and leave faces easy to notice.
For a family of four, you might combine an ivory shirt, a muted blue dress, denim and an oatmeal cardigan. Repeat a colour in a small detail rather than giving everyone the same outfit. Check socks, shoes and underlayers as well; these are easy to overlook until everyone is sitting together.
A real example from the Memo portfolio
In the outdoor birthday photographs in the Memo portfolio, the family wears soft cream and white while the garden provides the brighter colour. Pink and yellow tulips, green grass and warm sunlight make the setting lively without competing with the clothes. This is a useful example of coordinating with a location rather than trying to match every flower.
You can use the same approach for your own Toronto or Richmond Hill family photos: choose a calm foundation and let the surroundings contribute colour. Your session does not need the same garden, clothes or birthday details. The principle is simply to decide what should catch the eye first.
Plan for the season and the journey
An outdoor session in the GTA can involve walking from parking to the chosen spot. Wear practical shoes for the journey and bring any portrait shoes separately if necessary. In cooler weather, choose layers that you are happy to see in the photographs. A child who feels cold is unlikely to enjoy waiting while adults adjust clothing.
For an Aurora or Richmond Hill studio session, ask about the confirmed setting before choosing your final palette. Rental studios, outdoor locations and in-home settings can look very different. The booking details should guide your wardrobe; a studio address or particular room should never be assumed from a portfolio photograph.
What to send before your session
A quick phone photograph of the complete outfits is often more useful than a long shopping list. Include shoes and any jacket that will stay on. Tell Sahar who will attend, the children’s ages and whether anyone prefers to avoid a particular colour or style. Mention meaningful accessories you hope to include, so they can be considered in the overall look.
On the day, keep a small bag with spare clothes and everyday essentials. You do not need to arrive with identical outfits or perfectly behaved children. Thoughtful preparation gives us more room for real interactions, gentle guidance and the expressions that make these photographs yours.
Have a question about your own session? Send Sahar an enquiry and we’ll discuss the details together.