How to Prep for Family Photos (Including What to Wear)
Simple advice for real families, real moments, and photos that truly feel like you.
Life with young kids doesn’t come with much white space. So when you do carve out the time for family photos, you want to make it count—and feel like you. No stress. No overthinking. Just meaningful moments, beautifully captured.
At Black Vine Photography, I specialize in documentary-style family photography for Toronto families who value authenticity, artistry, and an experience that feels natural from start to finish. That starts with preparation—but not the overwhelming kind.
Here’s how to prepare for your session (including what to wear) so that everything flows easily and you can focus on what matters most: your people.
1. Start With What You Love Doing Together
This isn’t a styled magazine shoot. It’s your family, in real life—and the most powerful photos are always the ones rooted in your routines, rituals, and rhythm.
Whether that’s pancake breakfast, reading on the couch, dog walks before nap time, or hide-and-seek with your toddler—we’ll build the session around your day-to-day. The activity drives the feeling, the flow, and yes, the wardrobe.
Think about what makes your family tick. I’ll take it from there.
2. Dress Like Yourselves—Just a Bit More Polished
No need to match outfits, and no pressure to look “perfect.” You don’t need new shoes for everyone or coordinating belts (seriously). This isn’t about styling—it’s about storytelling.
That said, here are a few easy wins:
Avoid logos and loud patterns. They can be distracting.
Choose colours that feel natural together. Earth tones, soft neutrals, or warm hues photograph beautifully.
Skip anything fussy. If your child hates that cute-but-itchy sweater, it’s not worth it.
Dress for the activity. If we’re playing on the floor or jumping on the bed, no one needs a button-up shirt.
I’ll send over a simple wardrobe guide when you book, and I’m always happy to weigh in on your outfit options. Snap a few photos, send them over—we’ll make it easy.
3. Prep the Space (But Don’t Go Overboard)
If we’re photographing in your home (which I often recommend), there’s no need to deep clean. Tidy up the areas we’ll use—maybe the living room, playroom, or your bedroom—but don’t stress about the dust bunnies. Lived-in is good. Authentic is better.
A few tips:
Open the curtains—natural light is everything.
Clear major clutter from surfaces, but keep meaningful stuff in view.
Have snacks and wipes on hand, just in case. (Always.)
4. Expect a Bit of Chaos—That’s the Good Stuff
Kids get wild. Babies drool. Yogurt always ends up on the floor. These aren’t interruptions—they’re the moments. My job as a Toronto family photographer is to find the beauty in the realness.
So don’t worry about having it all together. You don’t need to rehearse anything or keep the kids on perfect behaviour. We’re here to document your family as it is today. And that, more than anything, is what makes your photos timeless.
Final Word: Keep it Simple, Make it Meaningful
Family photography doesn’t need to feel like a performance. When the session reflects your life—your pace, your personalities, your chaos—it becomes something much more than a set of portraits. It becomes a memory in itself.
And that’s what we’re really here for.
