4. Dress Your Kids Like Actual Children

This one is important.

Please don't put your toddler in an outfit so uncomfortable that they're already plotting their escape before they get out of the car.

I've seen beautiful little outfits paired with shoes that don't fit, itchy sweaters, stiff collars, and dresses that prevent children from doing anything remotely childlike.

And then everyone wonders why little Johnny is losing his mind fifteen minutes into the session.

Johnny is not the problem.

Johnny has been wearing an itchy wool sweater for forty-five minutes and has had enough of everyone's nonsense.

Choose clothing your children can move in.

Let them run, twirl, hug, sit, and be themselves.

Some of my favorite photographs happen when children forget they're being photographed.

Comfortable kids are generally happier kids.

And happier kids mean parents who are slightly less likely to threaten to cancel Christmas.

Everybody wins.

5. Moms, You're Allowed to Look Beautiful Too

Can we talk about something I've noticed after years of photographing families?

Mom usually plans everything.

She books the photographer, coordinates the outfits, gets the kids dressed, packs the snacks, reminds everyone about the session, and somehow manages to locate the one missing shoe five minutes before leaving.

Then she shows up wearing something she grabbed at the last second because she spent all her time worrying about everyone else.

Ladies.

Pick your outfit first.

Seriously.

Find something that makes you feel beautiful and comfortable, and coordinate everyone else's clothing around it.

Wear the dress.

Get your hair done if you want.

Put on the earrings you've been saving.

And please, get in the photographs.

Your children aren't going to look back twenty years from now and critique whether your dress was flattering.

They're going to be happy you're in the picture.

Trust me on this one.

6. Your Husband Does Not Need to Dress Like He's Attending a Wedding

I know.

Getting some men to participate in family photos is already like negotiating an international peace treaty.

Let's not make things worse by putting them in clothing they would never voluntarily wear.

A nice sweater, a simple button-down shirt, chinos, or a well-fitting pair of jeans can look fantastic.

No tuxedo required.

No elaborate accessories.

And definitely no need to make him wear the exact same outfit as your four-year-old.

Unless he's really into that.

In which case, I have questions.

7. Think About Where We're Taking Your Photos

One of the reasons I love photographing families throughout South Jersey and Philadelphia is the variety of locations we have available.

But your outfits should make sense for the setting.

A park or open field: Soft textures, flowing dresses, earth tones, denim, and jewel tones work beautifully against natural greenery and golden light.

Historic Haddonfield or Collingswood: Classic, slightly polished outfits complement the architecture and charming streets.

Center City Philadelphia: You can have a little more fun with your wardrobe. Structured coats, boots, rich colors, and modern styling can look incredible against the city's architecture.

The Jersey Shore: Relaxed fabrics, airy dresses, softer colors, and bare feet can work beautifully. Just remember that beach sessions often involve wind, sand, and the occasional child who decides the ocean is more interesting than the camera.

Actually, that last part applies to almost every location.

8. Stop Worrying About Perfection

Here's something I wish more families understood.

The best photographs aren't necessarily the ones where everyone is staring directly at the camera with perfectly coordinated outfits and identical smiles.

Sometimes it's your toddler laughing hysterically.

Sometimes it's your daughter reaching for your hand.

Sometimes it's your husband making a ridiculous face because that's the only way your three-year-old will smile.

Those are the moments I love.

And no amount of perfectly coordinated clothing can replace them.

I've been doing this long enough to know that families are messy, funny, unpredictable, and wonderfully imperfect.

That's what makes them worth photographing.

So, What Should You Actually Wear?

Here's my advice.

Choose clothing you feel comfortable and confident wearing. Coordinate colors instead of matching everyone. Avoid giant logos and anything that distracts from your faces. Dress appropriately for the location and weather.

And perhaps most importantly, don't turn family photos into a hostage situation over a pair of khaki pants.

Nobody needs that kind of stress.

Your children don't need to behave like tiny Victorian aristocrats.

Your husband doesn't need to suddenly become a fashion model.

And you certainly don't need to spend three weeks obsessing over whether everyone's shoes are the exact same shade of brown.

Just show up ready to have a little fun.

I'll take care of the photographs.

And if someone cries?

Well, I've photographed enough children over the years that I can assure you it won't be the first time.

Sometimes it's even the dad.

Just kidding.

Mostly.