Planning Goals:

Dress for Forever

These photos will be with you for years to come. Classic, timeless pieces ensure your images look just as beautiful down the road as they do today.

Authentically You

The best photos happen when you feel like yourself. Your outfits should reflect who you actually are, not a version of you that looks good on a mood board.

Be Present

A little outfit planning goes a long way. When you’re not second-guessing what you’re wearing, you can focus on what matters which is each other.

The Basics:

Be Coordinated

Be Comfortable

Be Crisp

You don’t need to match, you need to complement. Think shared color palette, not identical outfits. If one of you goes bold, the other pulls it back. The goal is looking like you belong together.

  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Wear what feels like you
  • Wear clothing you can move in

Wear what feels like you. If you’re not comfortable and especially if your kids aren’t comfortable, the camera will know. Skip anything too tight, too stiff, or too new and don’t forget about shoes. If you can’t walk, you can’t relax, not to mention the best spaces for photography are hardly ever solid ground.

  • Steer clear of neon colors
  • Steer clear of brand logos
  • Steer clear of too many shiny fabrics

Keep it clean and distraction-free. No neons, and no big logos. Let your faces be the focal point, not your t-shirt. When the palette stays simple, the photos stay timeless. This applies to stripes on kiddo’s shoes too!

Best Practices:

Start Early

Your session will be here before you know it. Planning early gives you time to build looks for both of you.

You First

You’re here doing the research, so start with your outfit. Get your look dialed in, then help your partner build around it.

The Process:

Step 1: Color Palette

Think about one or two pops of color and the rest should be neutral. Think of it like seasoning: a little goes a long way. The brighter the color, the less you need of it. A bold dress or statement shirt can carry the whole palette if everything else stays dialed back.

Pro Tip: Got a dress, shirt, or pair of pants you love and feel amazing in? That’s your first color! Build your palette out from there.

Some Successful Examples:

Fall

Rich burgundy, warm tans, and creamy neutrals mirror the autumn leaves perfectly. Mom’s hat and flowy dress anchor the palette while the kids’ floral and plaid add personality without pulling focus. When your outfits feel like they belong in the season, the whole photo comes together.

Spring

Soft blues, creams, and warm tans feel right at home in spring’s green backdrop. Mom’s subtle floral print adds a touch of detail while everyone else stays in the same tonal family. The palette is light and airy without washing anyone out.

Summer

Light, breezy, and perfectly summer. Soft tans, creams, and muted blues keep things relaxed while the little pop of coral on the youngest adds a playful touch. Floral prints on mom and the sunflower details on the older daughter complement the garden setting without overwhelming.

Winter

Deep navy, mustard, and burgundy bring warmth to a cozy winter setting. The jewel tones feel festive without going full holiday card, and the layered knits and textures add depth. A great example of using bolder color while still keeping everything coordinated.

Spring

Navy, soft blue, rust, and tan create a grounded palette that still feels fresh for spring. Everyone’s in their own outfit, but the shared tonal range ties it all together. A great example of coordination over matching especially with a bigger family.

Fall

Warm creams, dusty pinks, and rich browns feel like they were made for fall’s golden hour. With a larger family, keeping everyone in the same warm tonal range creates unity while still letting each person’s outfit feel distinct. Mom and sisters floral dresses adds a soft touch of pattern without competing

Winter

When in doubt, neutrals never miss! The warm browns, creams, and the deep olive pop beautifully against a snowy winter scene. No one piece competes for attention, and the buffalo plaid on one kiddo adds just the right amount of visual interest. Simple, warm, and timeless.

A Note on Season

Think about the season you’re shooting in, your surroundings are part of the palette. Spring blooms love soft, romantic tones. Summer golden hour pairs beautifully with warm neutrals and earth tones. Fall is made for rich, cozy colors and jewel tones like deep emerald, burgundy, or sapphire. And winter’s clean backdrop lets bold or warm accent pieces really pop. When in doubt, neutrals always work in any season, and any setting.

A Note on Season

Think about the season you’re shooting in, your surroundings are part of the palette. Spring blooms love soft, romantic tones. Summer golden hour pairs beautifully with warm neutrals and earth tones. Fall is made for rich, cozy colors and jewel tones like deep emerald, burgundy, or sapphire. And winter’s clean backdrop lets bold or warm accent pieces really pop. When in doubt, neutrals always work in any season, and any setting.

A Note on Season

Think about the season you’re shooting in, your surroundings are part of the palette. Spring blooms love soft, romantic tones. Summer golden hour pairs beautifully with warm neutrals and earth tones. Fall is made for rich, cozy colors and jewel tones like deep emerald, burgundy, or sapphire. And winter’s clean backdrop lets bold or warm accent pieces really pop. When in doubt, neutrals always work in any season, and any setting.

Step 2: The Process

Now that you have your colors… how do we select clothing items?

Start with one great piece and build everything else around it. If one of you is wearing a bold color or statement pattern, the other can balance it out with neutral tones. You don’t have to plan everyone’s outfit from scratch. Find your anchor piece and let everything else fall into place. It’s the easiest way to look coordinated without overthinking it.

Pattern & Texture

Don’t be afraid of pattern or texture as they’re your outfit’s secret weapon. A plaid flannel, a knit sweater, a lace detail, these give your photos depth and dimension that solid colors alone can’t. Just keep the bold prints to one of you ~ one pop is all you need.

Keep the Flow

Loose and flowy shirts, dresses, or skirts naturally compliment the Twig and Olive photography style. Movement makes a photo feel alive, and flowy fabrics give us that effortlessly.

Accessorize

You don’t need a lot, just pieces that feel like yours. A layered necklace, a favorite hat, chunky earrings, a shawl over bare shoulders. They’re the details that make your photos feel like you! Try to stick with one or two accessories.

Pro Tip: Steer away from thin bracelets as they can photograph as hairbands

Hair & Makeup

Do your hair and makeup however you feel your best! If you wear makeup, don’t be afraid to go a touch darker than normal, the camera loves it.

Let’s Recap

Creating a successful outfit can be simple, wear what feels like you, coordinate with your partner, and keep the palette clean. Plan ahead, trust your instincts, and let us handle the rest. You’ve got this!

The Basics Recap:

Be Coordinated

  • Compliment each other over matching each other
  • Use a shared color palette

Be Comfortable

  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Wear what feels like you
  • Wear clothing you can move in

Be Crisp

  • Steer clear of neon colors
  • Steer clear of brand logos
  • Steer clear of too many shiny fabrics

Reminders:

Helpful Hints

Start Early

Your session will be here before you know it. Planning early gives you time to build looks for both of you.

You First

You’re here doing the research, so start with your outfit. Get your look dialed in, then help your partner build around it.

Color Palette

Think about one, maybe two pops of color, the rest should be neutral. The brighter the color, the less you need of it. Think about how your palette works with the season – when in doubt, neutrals work well with any season or scenery.

Pattern & Texture

Don’t be afraid of pattern or texture. Adding texture or a pattern can elevate any outfit and add visual interest

Flowy Clothing

Loose and flowy shirts, dresses, or skirts naturally compliment the Twig and Olive photography style.

Looking for Inspiration?

Check out our Pinterest page for more tips & tricks, outfit ideas, and see our favorite brands!