Planning a Mother’s Day or family photoshoot is exciting, but one of the biggest questions moms ask is:
“What should I wear?”
The good news is that you do not need a completely new wardrobe or anything overly formal to look beautiful in your portraits. The most important thing is choosing outfits that make you feel comfortable, confident, and like yourself.
At my Cowies Hill studio in Durban, I always guide my clients with styling before their session so that everything photographs beautifully together without looking too “matchy-matchy”.
Start With Mom’s Outfit First
The easiest way to plan outfits for the whole family is to choose mom’s outfit first and build everyone else around it.
When mom feels confident and comfortable, it changes the entire energy of the session.
For Mother’s Day portraits and family photos, soft neutral tones usually photograph best: Creams, beiges, white, soft browns, sage green, dusty pink, light blues, soft earthy tones create a timeless look that won’t feel dated years from now.
That being said, I do love a nice bold color, mustard, ruby red and burgundy are also good solid options if you have a more outgoing personality.
Avoid Matching Exactly
One of the biggest misconceptions is that everyone needs to wear the exact same colour.
Instead of identical outfits, aim for colours that complement each other.
For example:
- Mom in a cream dress
- Dad in a light beige shirt
- Children in soft neutrals or muted earthy tones
This creates a soft, elegant look while still keeping everyone coordinated.
Find out more about my family photoshoots in my studio in Durban here:
Flowy Dresses Photograph Beautifully
For moms, dresses often photograph beautifully because they add softness and movement to images.
Midi and maxi dresses work especially well for:
- Mother’s Day portraits
- Family sessions
- Newborn sessions, though the portraits are usually upper body only.
Flowy fabrics also tend to be more flattering and comfortable during movement and cuddles with little ones.
If you are booking a maternity session with me, I also have a curated client wardrobe with selected dresses available for studio use in my comfortable Cowies Hill Studio, nestled into the side of Pinetown.
What About the Kids?
Children photograph best when they are comfortable, so make sure that clothes fit comfortably and are not itchy or too tight.
Try to avoid:
- Large logos
- Cartoon characters
- Bright neon colors
- Busy patterns or florals
Simple outfits in soft colours keep the focus on your family connection rather than the clothing.
Barefoot little ones also photograph beautifully in studio sessions, so need to buy expensive shoes for a shoot. Just make sure those footsies are clean! Should you wish to have shoes for the session, please ensure that they are clean, to keep my backdrops nice, plus they will look better in photos.
A little photographer tip: just before your session, give little faces, hands, and nails a quick check and clean. Tiny details like snack messes or marker stains often show up more in photos than expected.
Dads Matter Too
Dads usually prefer simple styling, and that is perfectly fine.
A plain neutral shirt or linen-style button-up with chinos or neat jeans photographs wonderfully and keeps the overall look timeless. I know that dad’s have their own ideas, but please don’t wear shorts to your photoshoot, especially when we are going to be dressing mom up so nicely! Also pay attention to bright colored sneakers etc that may spoil the timeless look.
The goal is for everyone to look coordinated without looking overly formal or stiff.
Think About Your Home Décor Too
One thing many moms do not think about is where these portraits may eventually hang.
Neutral, timeless tones tend to suit most homes and wall art beautifully. Years from now, your photographs will still feel classic and elegant.
Most Importantly, Wear Something That Feels Like You
The best photos happen when you feel relaxed and comfortable.
You do not need to look like a model or wear something extravagant to create beautiful memories with your children.
Your children are not going to remember whether your dress was trendy. They are going to remember that you were there with them.
One day, these photographs become part of your family’s story.
Looking for a Mother’s Day or Family Photographer in Durban?
My studio is based in Cowies Hill, Pinetown, and I specialise in warm, timeless maternity, newborn, and family portraits with a relaxed and welcoming experience.
If you are planning a Mother’s Day, maternity, or family photoshoot and feel unsure about what to wear, don’t worry. I guide all my clients with styling advice before their session so that everything photographs beautifully together.
My studio is based in Cowies Hill, Pinetown, and I photograph families from across Durban and surrounding areas.