There’s a moment before every family photoshoot where the question quietly creeps in… “What on earth are we going to wear?”


And as a Kent based family photographer, I get it. You want to feel like yourselves, but also a little bit elevated. Effortless, but still pulled together. Coordinated, but not like you’ve stepped out of a catalogue from 2007.


Here’s the good news — you don’t need to overthink it!


When it comes to outdoor family photos in Kent, the magic isn’t in perfectly curated outfits. It’s in how everything feels. The movement, the textures, the way your clothing interacts with the light, the wind, and the connection between you.


So instead of rules, think of this as a gentle guide. A nudge toward something earthy, timeless, and completely, unapologetically you. Here is what to wear for your family photos in Kent.

What to Wear for Your Family Photos in Kent


  • Start With a Feeling, Not an Outfit
  • Lean Into Earthy, Natural Tones
  • Texture Is Your Secret Ingredient
  • Coordinate, Don’t Match
  • Dress for Movement and Comfort
  • Barefoot, Boots, or Something In Between
  • Layers Add Depth (and Practicality)
  • Let the Children Be Themselves
  • You First, Always



Start With a Feeling, Not an Outfit


Before you even open your wardrobe, pause for a moment. How do you want your photos to feel? Soft and intimate? Playful and windswept? Calm and grounded? A little wild and free?


Your answer to that question will guide everything else.


Because what you wear isn’t just about how it looks, as it shapes the entire mood of your images. Flowy fabrics create movement. Chunky knits bring warmth. Bare feet on the beach instantly soften everything.


When you start with feeling, the choices on what to wear for your family photos become so much easier (and far more meaningful).



Lean Into Earthy, Natural Tones


Whitstable’s coastline is already doing a lot of the heavy lifting for you, with its soft blues, weathered wood, sandy neutrals, shifting skies.


So instead of competing with it, we work in harmony. Think warm, earthy tones like cream, oat, soft brown, sage green, rust, muted mustard, dusty rose. Colours that feel grounded and organic, rather than bright or overpowering.


This doesn’t mean everything has to be beige (promise). It just means choosing tones that sit gently within the landscape rather than shouting over it.


The results feel timeless rather than trend-led.

Texture Is Your Secret Ingredient


If colour sets the tone, texture brings everything to life. Linen that catches the breeze. Knits that add softness and depth. Cotton that feels light and breathable. Layers that create gentle movement.


Knowing what to wear for your family photos is so important, as these subtle details make a huge difference on camera, especially in an outdoor setting like Whitstable where the elements naturally interact with what you’re wearing.


Flat, synthetic fabrics can sometimes feel… well, a bit flat. Whereas natural textures add that quiet richness that makes an image feel alive! 


It’s the difference between a photo that looks nice, and one that feels something.



Coordinate, Don’t Match


Let’s leave the identical white shirts and jeans firmly in the past, shall we?


Instead, think of your family photoshoot outfits as a palette. Different tones, similar softness. Pieces that complement each other without being identical.


For example, you might wear a flowing cream dress, your partner in a soft linen shirt and neutral trousers, and your little one in a muted sage or warm brown. Nothing matches exactly, but everything belongs together.


This creates a more relaxed, natural feel (and avoids that slightly forced “we all got dressed from the same hanger” look).

Dress for Movement and Comfort


Whitstable has a way of inviting movement. You’ll walk along the beach, maybe climb over driftwood, crouch down to scoop up a little one, or spin them around as they laugh.


So if you want to know what to wear for your family photos, wear something that lets you move!


Flowy dresses, relaxed fits, soft layers…these all photograph beautifully because they respond to the environment. The wind catches them, the light filters through them, and suddenly everything feels a little more alive.


And comfort? Non-negotiable. If you feel restricted, self-conscious, or like you need to adjust your outfit every five minutes, it will pull you out of the moment. And the moment is where the magic lives.



Barefoot, Boots, or Something In Between


Footwear is one of those little details that can subtly shape the overall feel of your images.


Barefoot is always a favourite for beach sessions, as there’s something so grounding and free about it. It instantly softens the look and adds that relaxed, earthy feel.


But if barefoot isn’t your thing, think simple and understated. Neutral sandals, worn-in boots, or soft trainers that don’t distract from the overall palette.


This probably goes without saying, but neon trainers might steal the show… and not in the way we want! So if you want to know what to wear for your family photos, avoid this!


Layers Add Depth (and Practicality)


Whitstable weather likes to keep us on our toes. A cosy cardigan, an oversized jumper, or a light jacket not only keeps you warm but adds a beautiful dimension to your images. 


Layers create variation and give us more to play with during the outdoor family photoshoot in Kent.


You might start wrapped up and cosy, then gradually peel layers away as you relax into the shoot. It also gives your hands something natural to do, such as holding a cardigan, tucking into pockets, wrapping around your children. 


Those small gestures often become some of the most natural, emotive moments.



Let the Children Be Themselves


Children don’t do “stiff and styled”, and honestly, we don’t want them to.


So if you want to know what to wear for your family photos, choose outfits that they can move, play, and explore in. Soft fabrics, nothing too tight or itchy, and ideally something they feel good in.


If they have a favourite jumper they refuse to take off? Let’s work with it. If they want to run barefoot and slightly wild? Even better!


Their personality is far more important than a perfectly curated outfit. And those little quirks? They’re the things you’ll appreciate most later on.


You First, Always


As mothers, it’s so easy to focus on everyone else first. But here’s your gentle reminder that you are a huge part of these memories.


Start with your outfit. Choose something that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and a little bit beautiful (in a quiet, understated way). Then build the rest of the family around that.


When you feel good, everything else falls into place. And more importantly, you’ll actually enjoy the experience, instead of worrying about how you look!

Let’s Chat About Your Family Photos in Kent


Now you know what to wear for your family photos in Kent. At the end of the day, what you wear is just one piece of the puzzle. The real magic comes from connection, from presence, from those tiny, fleeting moments that happen when you’re simply being together.


But when your clothing reflects your energy, it helps bring the whole story together in the most beautiful way!


Get in touch with me for your outdoor family photography in Kent.