The most common question before a family session is what to wear, and the most common mistake is trying to match. Here is what actually works in front of a camera, learned over a decade of photographing South Asian families in New Jersey and New York.

The one rule: one colour family, not one colour

Pick a palette of two or three related colours and let everyone choose within it. A mother in a deep teal sari, a father in an ivory kurta, children in mustard and rust. The photograph reads as a family without looking like a uniform. Identical outfits flatten everyone into one shape; a palette gives each person room to look like themselves.

Jewel tones photograph beautifully outdoors

Emerald, maroon, royal blue, mustard and plum sit wonderfully against green parks and autumn leaves, and they hold their depth in open shade. Pastels work too, especially in spring blossom, but very pale pinks and mint can wash out in bright light. Pure white is risky outdoors in summer sun; ivory and cream are safer and still look crisp.

Fabric matters more than you'd think

Silk, raw silk, chanderi and georgette catch light and move. Heavy brocade is gorgeous for a ceremony portrait but stiff for a walking, playing session. For children, cotton and soft blends win: a child who is comfortable gives you real expressions, a child in a scratchy sherwani gives you ten minutes.

Mixing traditional and western

It works, and for many families it's honest. Keep the palette shared and the formality similar. A lehenga next to a tailored blazer is fine; a lehenga next to a hoodie is not. Grandparents are usually happiest in traditional dress, and photographs of them in it become the ones the family keeps.

Jewellery, dupattas and details

Jewellery reads at portrait distance, not at full length, so wear what you love and we'll make sure to photograph it close. Dupattas are useful: they add movement, frame the face, and can be draped differently across a session for variety without changing outfits. Bring a small pin for a pallu or dupatta on a windy day at the waterfront.

What to avoid

  • Logos, slogans and large prints. They pull the eye away from faces.
  • Neon and fluorescent colours, which reflect onto skin.
  • Brand-new shoes for toddlers. Blisters end sessions early.
  • Matching the location too closely. Green outfits in a green park disappear.

Second outfits

Most of our family and senior sessions allow a second outfit. The best use is contrast: traditional for the first half, relaxed for the second, or the other way around. Change in the car or a nearby café; we plan the location order so the switch is easy.

Every family who books with us gets a one-page style guide tailored to their session and location. If you're still unsure, send us a photo of the outfits on WhatsApp and we'll tell you honestly what will work.