Where I Shop for Family Photo Outfits in the Catskills and Hudson Valley

The question I hear most often after someone books family photos is some version of, “What the hell are we going to wear?”

Fair question. Getting everyone dressed for a regular Tuesday is enough work. Now you have to find clothes that look good together, fit the kids this week, and won't make anyone miserable during your session.

My advice is to shop in person if you can, start with mom, and give yourself permission to mix stores. You do not need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for family photos. You may already have half of what you need in your closets.

Start with mom

Moms are usually the ones arranging the session, answering my emails, and figuring out what everyone else will wear. Then they grab whatever is left for themselves. I would like to reverse that order.

Find something you feel good in first. Try it on, sit down in it, walk around, and make sure you can pick up your kid without spending the whole time adjusting your clothes. Once you have your outfit, we can pull colors and textures from it for everyone else. That is a lot easier than trying to find a dress that works with four outfits you've already bought.

And if you're thinking, “But the kids are the point of the photos,” you are in the photos too. I want you to like how you look in them.

Marshalls and T.J. Maxx

These are often my first stops for family photo clothes. You can find dresses, sweaters, kids' clothes, shoes, and a few styles you might never have thought to search for online. The prices are usually friendly enough that you can try something a little different without making the outfit your big fall purchase.

The catch is that you have to be willing to look. Sizes and stock vary from one visit to the next, so I wouldn't leave this trip until the night before your session. Bring your starting outfit with you, or at least a photo of it in daylight, and see what works alongside it.

Old Navy and Gap

Old Navy and Gap are reliable when you want classic pieces that won't call too much attention to themselves. Think denim, simple sweaters, solid shirts, and clothes your kids might actually wear again. They're especially useful when you have one person left to dress and need a straightforward piece to finish the group.

You will probably see the family matching collections while you're shopping. Skip those for your photo session. I don't recommend putting everyone in the same print or the same outfit. Give each person their own clothes and aim for colors that look good together. A little variety makes the photos feel more like your family.

Nuuly

If you want to wear something that feels a little more special, take a look at Nuuly. It's a clothing rental subscription, so you can try a dress, jumpsuit, or other piece you might not want to buy just for one occasion. You choose several items for the month, which also gives you options if the first thing you try doesn't feel right. Check the current terms and give yourself enough time to try everything on before your session.

I particularly like this option for moms who want something with movement or a bit of personality and would rather spend their money elsewhere after the photos are done.

Before you buy anything

Take a photo of the outfits laid out together. You don't need them to be identical. Look for a mix of colors and textures, and check whether one giant logo or bright print is grabbing all the attention. Then have everyone try their clothes on. An outfit that looks great on a hanger is no help if your kid refuses to wear it or you can't comfortably move in it.

Family sessions in the Catskills and Hudson Valley might take us through a field, around your backyard, down a trail, or across your living room floor. Dress for the place and the season as well as the photo. Shoes that let everyone move comfortably are a better choice than shoes you have to carry halfway through the session.

If you're booked with me, send me photos of what you're considering. I am happy to help you sort through the options, and I promise I won't tell you to buy matching beige outfits for the whole family.