How to Dress for Your Family Portrait Session with Boston Based Photography Studio, Alternate Angles
Jul 15, 2025 | By: Alternate Angles
Planning your studio portrait session with professional photographer Laura Pineda of Alternate Angles is an exciting step toward capturing timeless memories of your family. One of the most important elements of preparing for your session is choosing what to wear. The right clothing can make your photos shine and ensure they stand the test of time. Whether you are coming in for newborn photos, baby milestones, or a full family portrait, here are some essential tips on how to dress for your studio session.
Start Simple and Coordinate
When deciding what to wear, start with one outfit as your foundation. A great tip is to begin with Mom's outfit since she is often the most particular about how she looks in portraits. Laura’s personal favorite choice for moms is a long flowing dress. This style not only adds elegance and movement to the image but also helps to lengthen the body and create beautiful lines on camera. Choose a solid color dress that flatters your skin tone and keep the look simple yet classic.
Once Mom's outfit is chosen, build the rest of the family’s outfits around it. Coordinating outfits is key. That means choosing complementary colors and tones rather than matching outfits exactly. This allows each family member’s personality to shine through while keeping the group looking cohesive.
Choose Solid Colors That Compliment Your Backdrop
At Alternate Angles, the most popular studio backdrop options are solid black, white, or coffee brown. When choosing outfits, solid colors work best with these backgrounds. Solid tops in neutral tones like white, cream, tan, or black work beautifully. These tones keep the focus on your faces and expressions rather than the clothing. Avoid bright colors, busy patterns, and logos which can distract from the overall look of your portrait.
Think about what backdrop you plan to use. For example, if you choose the coffee brown background, rich neutrals like ivory, warm beige, and earthy tones will look beautiful. If you go with the black or white backdrop, stick with tones that contrast just enough to give the image depth while still being clean and timeless.
Timeless Looks That Will Age Well
The goal of a studio portrait session is to create artwork that you will love for decades to come. Simple styling will always be in fashion. A pair of well-fitted jeans and a solid white, cream, or black top will never go out of style. These clean, classic looks allow the connection between you and your loved ones to be the highlight of every image.
Avoid Logos and Trends
Logos, graphics, or heavily branded clothing can quickly date your portraits. For studio photography, minimalism works best. When in doubt, choose simple pieces in solid tones. This approach allows your family’s natural beauty and connection to be the focal point of the image, not the outfits.
Plan Ahead and Keep Comfort in Mind
Choose clothing that fits well and makes everyone feel comfortable. Babies and children especially should be dressed in soft, non-restrictive fabrics. Make sure outfits are clean, pressed, and ready to go the day before your session to reduce stress.
If you are searching for a family photographer in the Boston area who specializes in newborn, baby, and family portraits, Laura Pineda of Alternate Angles brings a calm, professional touch and years of experience to every session. Thoughtful clothing choices paired with Laura’s expertise ensure you will walk away with beautiful, timeless images you will treasure forever.
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