How to Prep for Family Photos (What to Wear & What to Expect)

Simple advice for real families, real moments, and photos that truly feel like you.

Life with young kids doesn’t leave much white space. So when you carve out time for family photos, you want it to feel worth it — and 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. Preparation matters — just not the overwhelming kind.

Here’s how to prepare for your family photo session (including what to wear) so 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 strongest photos are always rooted in your routines, rituals, and rhythm.

Whether that’s a pancake breakfast, reading on the couch, dog walks before nap time, or hide-and-seek with your toddler, we’ll build the session around what you already do.

The activity sets the tone for the session — and even helps guide wardrobe choices. Think about what makes your family tick. I’ll take it from there.

(If you’re curious about the overall approach, you can also read What Is Documentary Family Photography?)

2. What to Wear: Dress Like Yourselves (Just a Bit More Polished)

No need to match outfits. No pressure to look “perfect.” And definitely no need to buy new clothes for everyone.

This isn’t about styling — it’s about storytelling.

A few easy wardrobe guidelines that work well for family photos:

• Avoid logos and loud patterns. They can pull attention away from connection.

• Choose colours that feel natural together. Earth tones, soft neutrals, and 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 a simple wardrobe guide when you book, and I’m always happy to give feedback. You can snap a few mirror photos and send them over — we’ll keep 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 the areas we’ll likely use (living room, playroom, bedroom), but don’t stress about perfection. Lived-in is good. Authentic is better.

A few helpful tips:

• Open the curtains — natural light makes a huge difference

• Clear major clutter from surfaces, but keep meaningful items visible

• Have snacks and wipes nearby (always a good idea)

4. Expect a Bit of Chaos — That’s the Good Stuff

Kids get wild. Babies drool. Yogurt ends up on the floor.

These aren’t interruptions — they’re the moments.

My role as a Toronto family photographer is to find beauty in the realness, not to smooth it out. You don’t need to rehearse anything or manage behaviour for the camera. We’re documenting your family as it is right now.

That’s what makes the 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 real life — your pace, your personalities, your chaos — it becomes more than a set of images. It becomes a memory in itself.

If you’re still deciding when to book, you might also enjoy When Should You Get Family Photos Taken?, which offers a longer-term perspective on planning meaningful sessions over time.

And that’s what this is really about.

Ready to start the conversation - click here to reach.