What to Wear for Your Portland Lifestyle Session
One of the biggest questions families ask before their session is what to wear for Portland lifestyle photos, and honestly, I get it. Choosing outfits for multiple people can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially when you want everyone to look coordinated without feeling overly “matched” or stiff. The good news? Portland Lifestyle sessions tend to look best when things feel relaxed, comfortable, and true to your family. Think elevated casual, soft colors, cozy textures, and outfits you can actually move and snuggle in. Below are some of my favorite tips to help you choose outfits that photograph beautifully while still feeling like you.
1.general tips
A lot of the tips that I talk about in this post also make sense for what to wear for in-home lifestyle sessions as well, but here’s a basic summary. You’ll want to pick at least 2-3 colors as your color combo for outfits, and I would also recommend at least one pattern. Avoid super bright neon colors right by your face because they can color cast and give your skin a weird glow. You could either start with mom’s outfit and build out from there, or start with a patterned outfit and build your color scheme around that. Small and tight stripes and small plaid are a no-no as they photograph wavy and weird and we want to avoid weird at all costs. I recommend clothing that is comfortable so you’re able to move freely and no one is distracted by something not feeling quite right. If you want to include more than one pattern, altering the size of your patterns is key! Think small florals with bigger chunky stripes, etc. To create visual interest, I recommend having someone be the “surprise”—basically just a pop of a different color or texture. The surprise could be an article of clothing, but it could also be an accessory.
A great example of a neutral color palette with good contrast of the navy blue and darker gray colors.
2.Color Combos
If you’ve ever searched Pinterest for ideas for color combos, you know there are a TON of options and it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. To narrow it down I recommend thinking of two things: 1. The colors you like to see in your home 2. How colorful/neutral your home is already decorated.
If you like a lot of calming blues, maybe pick a color scheme with cool colors like blues, greens, and tans. If you like mostly neutral with pops of color, think a white dress with a light pattern and a pop of yellow for baby sister. These photos are hopefully going up on your wall, so let’s make them part of your decor!
The best way to not either blend too much with your decor or make things look too busy is by using neutrals and softer/lighter colors. I love pops of color, but for in-home I’d recommend keeping the bright colors to one outfit.
If you’re looking for more specific recommendations, here are my top 5 favorite color combos. These color combos would be great to wear for in-home lifestyle sessions by making the colors a little lighter and more pastel, or by mixing in more neutrals. There are so many ways to play around with these color combos!
Mom’s dress is the pop of color, everything else is more pastel/neutral.
3.Elevated Casual
How fancy or casual you go is ultimately up to you and your preferences, but I recommend an elevated casual—clothes typical of what you usually wear when you’re at home, just a little bit nicer. I still recommend dresses for mom (especially for newborn sessions!), but since we’re at home they can be a little more casual.
Examples of elevated casual:
Mom-more casual dress or a light blouse-y top with jeans
Dad-either a henley or a button up shirt with shorts or khaki pants (if a long sleeve button up is looking a little too formal you can always roll up the shirt sleeves a couple times to create a more casual look)
Boys-henleys or short sleeve button ups and shorts for summer, sweaters/nicer long sleeve shirt with jeans or khaki jeans
Girls-more casual twirly dresses, or a cute shirt with extra details like ruffles with shorts or pants
Baby-simple baby romper or a white onesie with different colored swaddles
A perfect example of elevated casual! Nice shirts, different textured linens, and simpler dresses look casual enough for home but elevated enough for pictures.
4.No shoes
Since we’re at home for your lifestyle session, shoes would definitely look out of place! My preference is for everyone to go barefoot, but socks are absolutely fine too. I often like to use what’s around your house as well-either the front or backyard-for a small portion of our session. When it comes to outdoor spaces I leave it up to you if you want/need shoes.
Seeing this sweet family in their backyard garden was one of the best parts of this session!
At the end of the day, what to wear for your lifestyle session matters a lot less than how your family feels together during the session. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s creating images that feel warm, connected, and real to this season of life. Simple, comfortable outfits in soft, coordinated tones help keep the focus where it belongs: on your people, your connection, and all the little in-between moments that make your family yours.