The question I hear almost as often as "where should we go" is "what on earth do we wear?" It comes up in almost every booking conversation, usually with a slightly panicked energy attached to it. It stresses people out more than it needs to. Here's my honest take on it.
The most important thing is that you're comfortable
If someone is tugging at a neckline or telling a three-year-old to stop pulling at their collar all afternoon, it shows up in the photos. Comfort matters more than perfect outfits.
That's the whole principle, really. Everything else flows from it.
Coordinate rather than match
Identical outfits — everyone in white shirts, or everyone in navy — tend to look a bit stiff. I learned this the hard way photographing my own kids. For years the photos felt off and I couldn't work out why. The moments were real, the kids were adorable, but the images just didn't have that polished quality I was chasing.
It wasn't the camera. It wasn't the light. It was the dinosaur shirt paired with the bright red striped shorts. The pink polka dot top with the floral leggings. My kids have very strong opinions about dressing themselves — and the outfits they chose were working against every photo I tried to take. Once I started coordinating their colours, everything changed. Same kids. Same camera. Same light. Completely different photos.
What works better is choosing a loose colour palette and letting people dress within it in their own way. One person in a floral, one in a plain linen shirt, a kid in a soft stripe — all in dusty pinks and warm whites — looks natural and considered at the same time.
If you're not sure where to start, pick the outfit you feel best in and build everyone else around it. This also means no one person has to carry the weight of the whole look. When the palette is loose and everyone has a bit of room to be themselves, it tends to come together naturally.
Colours that work well
Warm, muted tones photograph well with the kind of light I shoot in. Dusty rose, sage green, warm white, soft cream, camel, terracotta. These sit quietly in the frame rather than competing with it.
Bright neons and very stark white are harder to work with. Off-white or cream is kinder than pure white. Black is fine but can feel heavy outdoors — balance it with something lighter if you go that way.
It's also worth thinking about where we're shooting. If we're out in the bush at Trevallyn or in the paddocks around Hadspen, earthy and natural tones tend to sit beautifully in that environment. If we're at the beach near Low Head, lighter fabrics and softer colours work well — something that moves nicely in a breeze. For sessions in Launceston's parks and gardens, you have a bit more flexibility, but the muted palette still tends to hold up best.
Layers and texture
Adding a bit of texture makes a real difference in photos. A linen shirt, a knitted jumper, a soft jacket — these give the image something interesting to look at. Flat, single-fabric outfits can feel a bit one-dimensional.
Layers are also practical. Sessions in northern Tasmania can be cool even on clear days, particularly as the sun drops toward golden hour. Having a jacket or cardigan you can throw on between shots makes everything more comfortable, and layered looks tend to photograph well anyway.
Skip the logos
Graphic tees and branded clothing date quickly and pull focus away from faces. Plain fabrics and simple patterns age much better, and they tend to look good in photos for longer.
Think about where we're going
If we're walking through the bush at Trevallyn or across a paddock at Hadspen, you want shoes you can actually walk in. Heels are miserable on uneven ground and when you're uncomfortable it shows. Think comfortable and practical — you'll thank yourself for it.
Hair, makeup and accessories
For makeup, natural tends to work better than heavy. You want to look like yourself, just a little more considered. The light I shoot in is forgiving, so you don't need to do anything dramatic — but a bit of effort will show in the photos.
For hair, loose and natural usually photographs better than anything very structured or formal. That said, wear what makes you feel good. Confidence comes through in photos more than a perfect blowout does.
Accessories are worth thinking about. A meaningful piece of jewellery, a hat that fits the vibe, a scarf with some texture — these things can add a lot. Just avoid anything very shiny or reflective that might catch the light in a distracting way.
For kids: familiar and comfortable every time
Avoid anything new, itchy or restrictive. Clothes they wear all the time, that they can run and roll around in, will always serve you better than something special that's only come out once.
Bring a spare set of clothes too. Mud and ice cream are drawn to nice outfits like a magnet, and nothing derails a session faster than a meltdown over a ruined shirt.
When in doubt, ask
I'm always happy to look at what you're thinking of wearing if you want a second opinion — just send me a photo before your session. As a family photographer based in Launceston, I've worked with all kinds of families across northern Tasmania and I've seen every outfit combination imaginable. You're in good hands. And honestly? Don't overthink it.
— Milly