LONDON / FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY / GETTING READY
Clothes you can move in.
A little colour. Plenty of you.
Deciding what to wear for a family photoshoot in London can take more thought than choosing the location. One child loves a bright jumper, someone wants to wear jeans, and the forecast keeps changing. You can bring those choices together without making everyone dress alike.
I’m Adrian Mazur. For a family session, I want your clothes to leave room for walking, picking up children and being close together. This guide will help you put together outfits that feel considered and still feel like yours.
Still choosing your setting? Read my London family photoshoot guide →
01 / START WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY LOVE
Build the outfits around one favourite piece
Take one item you are already happy to wear: a dress, a textured jumper, a shirt or your child’s favourite jacket. Put it on the bed and build the other outfits beside it. This is easier than trying to make five separate decisions at once.
Look at the group as a whole. Is everyone dressed for roughly the same kind of outing? A relaxed dress, chinos and children’s everyday clothes can sit comfortably together. A formal suit beside beachwear may feel less connected, even when the colours match.
Then do a movement check. Sit down, reach up and bend to your child’s height. Check straps, waistbands and anything you find yourself adjusting. Clothes that need constant attention will be harder to forget about during the photographs.
02 / FIND YOUR COLOURS
You can wear colour in family photographs
A colourful dress or a mustard jumper can bring real warmth to a London portrait. You do not have to turn your whole wardrobe beige to make a photograph work.
If one outfit has a strong pattern, pick up one of its colours elsewhere in the family. Let a few simpler pieces sit around it. The aim is to give the eye somewhere to rest while keeping the clothes you enjoy.
White and black can both work, too. Think about the balance across the group and how the clothes sit against your chosen background. There is no single colour that every family needs to avoid.
Three starting palettes to try at home
Use these as prompts for your own wardrobe. They are suggestions, not a shopping list.
Blue · Stone · Cream
Try a blue shirt, stone trousers and a cream knit. Denim can make this feel easy and familiar.
Olive · Rust · Oat
A useful starting point for layers and greenery. One warm accent can be enough to bring it together.
Navy · Mustard · Soft pink
For families who enjoy a little more colour. Keep the shapes simple and let the colours do the work.
03 / THINK ABOUT THE BACKGROUND
Dress for the London you want in your pictures
Landmarks and riverside walks
Westminster and Tower Bridge bring stone, water and strong architectural lines into the frame. A clear shape or a touch of colour can hold its own against that setting. Comfortable shoes matter here: even a compact route involves walking between viewpoints.
Parks and greener settings
Think about contrast with the surroundings. A pale shirt, warm knit or patterned dress may stand out differently against trees than against a city wall. You can include green in the outfits; simply check that everyone is not wearing the same shade as the background.
Red phone boxes and colourful streets
The location already brings a strong colour. Decide whether you want your clothes to echo it or sit quietly beside it. You can wear red, but there is no need to add a red accessory to every outfit just because a phone box is on the route.
04 / LEAVE ROOM FOR LITTLE PERSONALITIES
Let children try their outfits before the day
A quick practice at home will tell you more than the label’s size. Ask your child to walk, sit and lift their arms. Check for scratchy seams, slipping shoes and layers that feel too tight.
If they want a say, give them two choices you are happy with. A favourite cardigan or familiar pair of trainers may help them feel at ease. For younger children, pack a change that works with the rest of the family’s clothes.
For babies, choose comfortable clothes suited to their age and the temperature. Check that necklines stay clear of the face when they are held. If the session is outdoors, keep warmth and suitable footwear in mind.
05 / PLAN FOR THE DAY YOU HAVE
What to wear through the London seasons
Spring & summer
Choose breathable fabrics and an extra layer for cooler moments. A light jacket can be useful beside the river even on a pleasant day. Consider how hats and sunglasses fit into your plans, and keep children comfortable in the conditions.
Autumn & winter
Plan the outfits with coats on first. Knits, scarves and jackets can add texture, and warm layers let everyone stay involved. Bring dry spares for little ones if the ground is wet. A cold child does not need to remove a coat for the sake of a photograph.
Before you leave: check the forecast for the session time and location, including wind and the temperature. Pack the extra layer where you can reach it.
Small details worth checking
Empty bulky pockets. Phones and keys can change the line of trousers or jackets. Keep them in one small bag when we start taking photographs.
Look at prints together. A large slogan or several competing patterns may become the first thing you notice. Keep them if they matter to you; otherwise, a plainer alternative gives faces more attention.
Choose your own level of dress. Dresses, trousers, skirts and jeans can all belong in a family gallery. Wear something that suits your body, your movement and the way you want to remember yourself.
Keep changes manageable. One main outfit usually keeps a short outdoor session simpler. Bring practical spares for children, and discuss extra outfit changes when planning the session.
Your five-minute outfit check
- Lay everyone’s clothes together in daylight.
- Check that the colours and level of dress feel comfortable together.
- Try sitting, walking and picking up your child.
- Include the coats and shoes you will actually wear.
- Pack a spare layer, children’s essentials and one small bag.
If the clothes feel right and everyone can move, you are ready to turn your attention to the day together.
LET’S PLAN YOUR FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Bring the people you love.
Wear something that feels like you.
Tell me about your family, your dates and the London setting you have in mind. We can plan the pace and the photographs together.
Words and photographs by Adrian Mazur Photography.