The question I get before almost every family session is some version of: “What should we wear?” Good news — you do not need a stylist, matching flannel shirts or a suitcase of props. You need a few simple choices that feel like your family and work with Hawke's Bay light. This guide is the one I send in spirit to every whānau booking a lifestyle session across Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and beyond.
Start with a colour story, not matching outfits
Matching outfits photograph as costumes. Coordinated outfits photograph as a family.
Pick a palette of three to five colours and let everyone choose pieces inside it. Palettes that love our light:
- Cream, oatmeal, soft taupe and sage
- Soft white, denim blue and warm camel
- Dusty rose, stone and olive
- Charcoal, cream and a muted rust (especially beautiful in autumn)
Avoid neon, big cartoon prints and large sports logos — they pull the eye away from faces. Small patterns (fine stripes, subtle texture) are fine if the overall colour still sits in the palette.
Texture over trends
Linen, cotton, knit, soft cord and light wool add depth without shouting. A simple knit on a parent next to a cotton dress on a child looks intentional. Sequins, shiny synthetics and stiff formalwear rarely feel like “us” in a lifestyle gallery — save those for black-tie weddings.
If you love a statement piece, let one person wear it and keep everyone else quieter around it.
Dress for golden hour weather
Most of my Hawke's Bay family sessions happen late in the day. That means:
- Summer — breathable fabrics, sleeves that will not dig in, a light layer for once the breeze comes up
- Autumn / winter — beautiful knits, coats that you are happy to keep on in photographs, beanies only if they feel like you
- Wind on the coast — plan hair that can move; bring a clip or tie for anyone who will feel distracted
I would rather you were warm and present than stylish and shivering. Comfort shows up in the photographs.
Shoes (and when to go barefoot)
- Clean sneakers, simple boots or sandals in a colour that belongs in your palette
- Leave the brand-new stiff shoes at home if they make anyone hobble
- Bare feet in summer grass or on the sand often look timeless — pack a towel for afterwards
- White shoes that are scuffed photograph more honestly than neon ones that are perfect
What kids should wear
Choose clothes they can run, sit and cuddle in without a lecture. A dress that needs constant smoothing will steal the session. Bring a spare top for toddlers — snacks happen. If a comfort toy or blankie is non-negotiable, we can work it in for a few frames and set it aside for others.
Parents and grandparents
Wear something you already feel good in. New outfits sometimes feel stiff on camera. Fitted (not tight) through the shoulder and waist usually photographs more flattering than boxy oversized layers, but if oversized is your style, own it consistently across the set. Grandparents: same palette, same simplicity. The photographs will thank you in twenty years when nobody is dated by a logo.
Studio Mini vs outdoor wardrobe
For a Studio Mini (15 minutes, 10 images, $350, by appointment), keep it especially simple — one strong look per person, clean lines, colours that work against a soft studio backdrop. For a Signature golden-hour session (60 minutes, 50 images, $650) or Extended Family (90 minutes, 70 images, $1,250), you can add a light layer or a second top for older kids if you want variety, but you still do not need a full clothing change marathon.
Payment plans are available on packages (for example around $100 a week). Every session includes a contract so inclusions are clear.
A quick checklist the night before
- Palette agreed (photo of the hanging outfits on your phone helps)
- Clothes clean, lint-rolled and comfy
- Spare toddler top packed
- Hair ties / clips
- Water and a small snack
- Layers for when the sun drops
- Shoes you can actually walk in
Frequently asked questions
What colours should we wear for a family photoshoot in Hawke's Bay?
Choose a palette of three to five colours, such as cream, sage, denim and camel, and let everyone pick pieces within it. Avoid neon and big logos.
Should everyone match?
No. Coordinated looks photograph as a family; identical outfits tend to look like costumes.
Can we go barefoot?
Yes. In summer grass or on the sand it often looks timeless. Pack a towel for afterwards.
What should kids wear?
Comfortable clothes they can run and cuddle in, plus a spare top for toddlers.
Do you have to change outfits during the session?
Not at all. One simple, comfortable look per person is plenty, and a light layer adds variety if you like.
Trust the light more than the outfit
I can work with almost any wardrobe. What I cannot recreate later is the feeling of your people, relaxed, in good light. If the clothes are simple and the snack has happened, we are already most of the way there.
When you are ready, look at family photography, compare services, browse the portfolio for real outfit inspiration from past sessions (without copying them exactly), then contact me. Send a photo of what you are thinking of wearing if you want a quick yes/no — I am happy to glance over it before the day.
