The single most-asked question I get before a family session, by a wide margin, is "what should we wear?"


It's a real question with real consequences. The wrong outfit choices can take a beautiful session and turn it into something you don't end up printing. The right ones can take an ordinary session and make it look like a magazine spread.


I'm Angelina, a family and pet photographer in Kent, WA. I shoot all over the Puget Sound, in the kind of soft, often-overcast light that defines this region. Pacific Northwest light has its own rules, and what works for a family photo session in Arizona doesn't work the same way here. Here's what I've learned over many years of shooting in our weather.


Start with a palette, not an outfit


The best thing you can do is pick a color palette for the whole family and let everyone build their own outfit from within it. Not matching... coordinated!


Matching outfits (same shirt, same pants, same color across five people) date a photo instantly and make families look like they're wearing a team uniform. A coordinated palette, three or four colors that work well together, distributed across the family, looks intentional, modern, and timeless.


Pick a palette by:


1. Choose two or three core colors that work together. Earth tones, muted neutrals, and one accent color is a reliable formula. Cream, sage, and rust. Navy, cream, and dusty pink. Charcoal, oatmeal, and burgundy.

2. Vary the textures. A linen shirt, a chunky sweater, a flowy dress, and a pair of dark jeans in similar tones look more interesting than five smooth cotton T-shirts.

3. Distribute the colors. Don't put two people in the brightest piece. Spread the palette so each person stands out without competing.


Lay the outfits next to each other on a bed before the session. If they look like they belong in the same family, but not the same uniform, you're there.


Colors that work in PNW light


Pacific Northwest light is cooler than light in sunnier parts of the country. We have a lot of soft, overcast days where the sky acts like a giant softbox. That kind of light is incredibly flattering for skin and faces, but it's not great with high-contrast or hot colors.


Colors that consistently work here:


- Earth tones: rust, terracotta, mustard, ochre, olive, warm brown.

- Muted neutrals: cream, oatmeal, taupe, dusty pink, soft gray.

- Cool tones (when intentional): navy, slate, dusty blue, sage, eucalyptus.

- Jewel tones for accents: burgundy, emerald, deep forest, plum, mustard.


Jewel tones are especially good in PNW light because they give your photos a richness against gray skies that lighter colors can't. A burgundy sweater on one person against a pewter sky and green forest is one of the most reliable looks I shoot.


Colors and items to avoid


These are the ones that consistently cause problems. Not because they're ugly, but because they don't play well with our light or my camera.


Pure white: Pure white blows out under our bright overcast skies. The light pours through the clouds and reflects off the white fabric in a way that takes detail out of the shirt and casts a harsh upward light onto faces. Cream, ivory, or off-white work much better and read as "white" in the final photo.


Bright neon colors: Neon pink, electric blue, fluorescent yellow — these reflect back onto skin and shift the color of faces. They also overpower the rest of the frame and pull every viewer's eye to the brightest spot in the photo, which is rarely where you want it.


Loud patterns and big logos: Big patterns date a photo. The graphic tee with the band logo from 2024 is going to look exactly that dated in five years. Plaid, large florals, and bold stripes can work in small doses (one person in a subtle plaid shirt is fine), but multiple people in big patterns become a visual mess.

The same goes for logos, brand names, and graphic tees. They're distracting in a portrait and they age poorly.


Bright white sneakers and brand-new shoes: Brand-new white sneakers will be the brightest thing in your photo. They draw the eye to feet, away from faces. Wear shoes that are a tone or two darker than your top, or boots in a neutral color, and the photo will balance better.


What to wear for outdoor sessions specifically


Outdoor family sessions in the Pacific Northwest mean wet grass, muddy paths, unexpected drizzle, and temperature swings. What can we do to plan accordingly?


  • Shoes that survive wet grass: Boots, closed-toe leather flats, sneakers in a darker color. Skip the heels and the dress shoes, even on a "dry" day in the PNW, the grass holds moisture from the night before.
  • Layers that come off and back on: A 60-degree morning at Lake Meridian can drop ten degrees in five minutes when a cloud rolls in. A cardigan, denim jacket, or chunky sweater that's part of the outfit gives you flexibility without changing the look.
  • Tights or leggings under dresses for kids: PNW grass is cold and wet. Kids who are warm photograph happy.
  • Avoid anything that needs constant adjusting: Strapless dresses, low-rise jeans on toddlers, anything that rides up. You'll be self-conscious in every frame.


What to wear for studio sessions


Studio sessions don't have weather to plan for, but the rules about color still apply. Pure white still blows out under studio lights more than people expect, and neon colors still cast onto skin.


The studio gives you a little more freedom with darker colors that might disappear into shadow outdoors. Black, dark forest green, deep navy, they all photograph well in studio light. If you've been told "no black" by another photographer, that's an outdoor rule, not a studio one.


Dressing kids without losing your mind


Kids are kids. They will spill, they will refuse to put on what you picked out, they will insist on wearing the same dress they've worn three days running. A few real-world strategies:


  • Pack the outfit and let them change at the location. Dressing at home invites a meltdown an hour before the shoot.
  • Pick comfortable fabrics. Itchy sweaters look great until your four-year-old starts pulling at the neckline in every photo.
  • Bring a backup top per kid. One spilled juice box can ruin a session if you don't have a replacement.
  • Let them have one item they chose. A pair of light-up shoes, a beloved hair clip, a specific necklace. Pick your battles.
  • Skip the costume-y or theme-y stuff. Photos with kids in matching reindeer onesies look like a holiday card and not much else. They don't age well into "framed in the living room" territory.


Dressing for photos with the dog


If your dog is in the photos, color-coordinating with the dog is a fun touch, but not necessary. The dog's coat is what it is. What matters more:


  • Don't wear something the dog will ruin. Light tan pants and a dog with muddy paws are not friends.
  • Avoid super-dark clothing if your dog is dark-colored. Black-on-black blends together and you lose the dog in the photo.
  • Bring a roll-on lint brush. It saves the day!


Dressing for the season


PNW weather has clear seasonal palettes that work especially well at certain times of year.


Spring (March through May): Dusty pinks, sage, cream, soft blue, lavender. Light layers, a cardigan, ankle boots. Cherry blossoms photograph beautifully against soft pinks and creams.


Summer (June through August): Linen everything. Whites turn to creams, pastels stay subtle, jewel tones for accents. Lightweight fabrics that breathe.


Fall (September through November):Tthe easiest season for PNW family photos. Rust, mustard, deep green, burgundy, brown. Sweaters, scarves, boots. The light is golden, the leaves are turning, and the wardrobe writes itself.


Winter (December to February): Rich neutrals — charcoal, cream, deep green, burgundy. Wool, cashmere, structured coats. Avoid bulky puffer jackets if possible; they hide body shape and turn everyone into a marshmallow.


A note on jewelry, makeup, and details


For most family sessions, less is more. Stud earrings rather than large hoops, a delicate necklace rather than a statement piece. The photo is about the people, not the accessories.


For makeup: a slightly heavier hand than everyday makeup tends to photograph well, especially with the soft PNW light that can wash out very natural makeup. Add a touch more blush, slightly defined brows, and a lip color. You'll look like yourself, just a little more present.


When in doubt, send me your options


If you've got the session booked and you're not sure between two options, send me photos of what you're considering. I'm happy to give honest feedback before the day. I'd rather spend ten minutes texting about a sweater than have you stuck with photos you don't love.


Booking a session


If you're planning a PNW family session and you've made it to the bottom of this post, you're already doing the homework. I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message and we'll figure out the right time, light, and location for your family.


For more on what to expect from a Dappled Plum session, see the Family Session FAQ.


Thanks and see you soon!