A guide to help you coordinate outfits for your Mother’s Day session
I have a few past Mother’s Day + spring family sessions to the left who did a great job with colors + coordinating
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Tip #1
My absolute #1 tip is to pick an outfit/dress that you LOVE and feel comfortable in. It’s okay to start with a vision for your session in terms of color or style, but I absolutely suggest starting with yourself first.
From there, it’s much easier to coordinate the rest of your family. Kids look cute regardless of what they’re wearing!
Tip #2:
Mix different size prints. Unless you go the route of mommy + me matching dresses, I’d suggest ONE or TWO of you max wearing a print. If you’re in a small dainty toile print, put your daughter a striped dress with a cardigan to break it up or son in striped pants with a plain shirt.
For my own session I often put both my daughter + I in entirely different prints but in a coordinating color scheme.
Tip #3:
Do not put all of you in the same color top. Unless you’re ALL wearing white, or shades of cream/white, I would not suggest putting yourselves in the same color top.
Tip #4:
Because these are spring sessions with very neutral backdrops at the Tripp House, I’d suggest light to medium colors. No black! I personally LOVE color and I think either neutrals, pastel colors OR bright colors will absolutely work for any of these set-ups.
Tip #5:
Make sure all clothes are steamed or ironed and shoes are clean. If you don’t already use them magic erasers are amazing for shoe soles!
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Favorite Kid Stores
J Crew (girls dresses + skirts, boys button downs or half-zips, boys seersucker)
Zara (toddler girls dresses, toddler boy cardigans, pants + button downs)
Old Navy (online only. girls dresses + cardigans, boys neutral button downs, the toddler girl section is always super cute, anything for babies)
Boden (girls dresses + cardigans)
Tea Collection (girls dresses + cardigans)
Riley + Cru (for my neutral loving families)
Janie + Jack
Over The Moon (local boutique)
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Favorite Womens Stores
The only time of year I really don’t feel much guilt when spending money on my own clothing is when I buy a dress for photos. I want to LOVE what I’m wearing so I love our photos as a result. And because I bought something I love, I always wear it multiple times after.
Mothers of India (flows dresses)
Zara (dresses or tailored pants)
Gap (dresses)
Baltic Born (dresses)
J Crew - especially the Montage Mountain location
Anthropologie
Piper&Scoot
Easy Clothes
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The Dads
If you’re including your significant other in photos I have a basic formula I follow 99% of the time with my husband. It’s not super fun by any means but well tailored outfits and colors that coordinate with the rest of us is usually what I’m going for.
Tan pants, white button down
*add a cardigan or half zip
Tan pants, gingham or plaid button down
*add a cardigan or half zip if you want to break up the print
Tan pants, white button down, chambray button down left open/unbuttoned
Dark denim or navy pants, white button down
*add a light colored cardigan or half zip
Dark denim or navy pants, gingham or plaid button down
*add a cardigan or half zip if you want to break up the print
I tend to stick with any version of these for every single photo session we’ve ever had! My husband isn’t picky with clothes but really never wears these outfits again 😂 so I don’t put a whole ton of thought into what he’s wearing, as long as it coordinates with us.
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ADDITIONAL HELP
If you find a dress you love, or outfits you love for your kids and need help coordinating just ask me! I personally love to put together my own families outfits every summer for our family photos.
