Spring in North Carolina is one of the most beautiful times of the year to book a family photo session. Between the soft golden light, blooming wildflowers, and mild weather, it’s the perfect season for capturing timeless, natural family portraits. But once the session is on the calendar, the next big question tends to be: What should we wear?
As a professional family photographer in Raleigh and Durham, I know how overwhelming it can feel to choose the right outfits for your photo session. Whether you’re planning a custom signature session, a weekday mini session, or something special like a wildflower photography session, what you wear can make a huge difference in the final look and feel of your images.
The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. I provide all my clients with personalized styling help and access to my curated client closet, filled with outfits and accessories that are not only flattering, but also photograph beautifully in soft spring light. Still, there are a few tried-and-true tips I love to share when helping families prepare for their spring family photography session.
When choosing outfits for your portraits, I recommend leaning into the soft, airy tones of the season. Spring is all about fresh color and natural beauty, so soft pastels, earthy neutrals, and light, calming shades always work beautifully. Think of tones like blush, cream, sage green, light blue, beige, and muted peach. These colors complement the springtime scenery—especially during wildflower sessions or wisteria mini sessions—and they help keep the focus on your connection and expressions, not the clothes.
One of the most common mistakes I see in family portrait styling is overly bold patterns or logos. While they might work for everyday outfits, they tend to distract in photos—especially when we’re capturing natural photography outdoors. Choosing solids or subtle textures allows your images to stay timeless and lets the emotion and energy of your family come through more clearly.
Another important element in authentic family portraits is coordination. But coordination doesn’t mean matching. I always encourage families to create a color palette with a mix of shades that work well together. Instead of everyone in white shirts and jeans, think of mixing creams, muted greens, soft browns, and dusty blues. This type of styling allows each family member to bring their personality while still looking cohesive in the images. It also pairs beautifully with my most popular spring locations like flower fields, parks, rose gardens, and open natural spaces.
Adding texture is another great way to elevate your photos. Materials like cotton, linen, tulle, or soft knits bring dimension to your portraits and catch the light in beautiful ways—especially during golden hour. Whether you’re dressing your toddler in a soft romper or wearing a flowing maxi dress yourself, the way fabrics move and interact with light can make a huge impact in the overall feel of your gallery.
When you book a session with me, whether it’s a full custom portrait session or a quick weekday mini, you’re not left to figure it all out on your own. I work with each client individually to help them plan their wardrobe with confidence. My client closet includes a handpicked collection of pieces for children and adults that are perfect for spring photography, and I’m always happy to help you mix your own items with closet options to get the perfect combination.
If you’ve been dreaming about family photography in Durham or Raleigh, and you’re wondering how to make your images feel both polished and natural, styling is a great place to start. The goal of any session is to capture your family’s real connection—through laughter, movement, and meaningful moments—and the right wardrobe simply supports that. We’re not aiming for perfection, but rather for presence. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, that confidence shines through in every photo.
Your spring session should be joyful, relaxed, and full of heart—and I’m here to make that process as easy and fun as possible. From maternity photography and senior portraits to children’s milestone sessions and lifestyle newborn photography, I’ll help you find the perfect look to match the vision for your shoot.
So whether we’re twirling through a field of red poppies, walking hand-in-hand under blooming wisteria, or exploring a sun-soaked beach in Hilton Head, your wardrobe will be one more piece of the magic we create together.
Ready to plan your spring photo session?
