One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “what should we wear?” especially when it comes to winter sessions in New Zealand.

The good news is, winter is actually one of the easiest seasons to dress for… and one of the most beautiful to photograph. There’s something about the softer light, cosy textures and layered outfits that feels timeless and effortless.

As the temperature drops, the focus naturally shifts to keeping everyone warm and comfortable and when you feel good, it always shows in your photos.

Here are a few simple tips to help guide you:

Start with mum

I always recommend starting with your outfit first.

Choose something you feel comfortable and confident in, then build everyone else’s outfits around that. It takes the pressure off trying to coordinate everything at once, and helps the overall look come together more naturally.

Think soft, neutral tones

Soft, earthy tones photograph beautifully in winter.

Think creams, warm whites, soft browns, muted greens and colours that sit gently alongside each other rather than competing for attention. These tones keep the focus where it should be: on your connection.

Layer it up

Layering is your best friend in winter.

Knits, cardigans, scarves, little jackets, even beanies, they not only keep everyone warm, but also add texture and depth to your images. Layers also give you flexibility throughout your winter photoshoot if the temperature changes.

Aim for complementing, not matching

Outfits don’t need to match perfectly.

In fact, a mix of tones and textures often looks more natural and timeless. Think of your outfits as complementing each other rather than being identical, it creates a more relaxed and organic feel in your photos.

If choosing outfits for your family photos still feels a little overwhelming, I’m always happy to help you pull outfits together. You can send me what you’re thinking, and I’ll guide you from there. If you’d like a bit more direction, I can also share my full style guide to make things even easier.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s simply to feel like yourselves maybe just a slightly more put-together version.

Amy x