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6 Reasons Why You Don’t Need a Style Guide for Your Family Photos (And What to Wear Instead) | Squirrel Hill Family Photographer

“What should we wear!?”

This is one of the most common questions families ask when preparing for a photo session with me.

Most photographers send out a “what to wear” or style guide for family photo sessions and will hold your hand throughout the process and help you curate coordinating outfits for your entire family. They may even show you Pinterest boards and recommend stores to shop from.

This, however, is not my style. Why? Because I want you to feel like yourselves! I want your family photos to represent who you are, not a version of you that looks “picture-perfect” for a photo shoot. There’s no need to stress over matching outfits or the latest trends—just dress like you normally do!

I need to point out that this goes for a photo session with me! If you are hiring a different photographer to capture your family in a field at sunset, then you may want to dress up a little more if that is the look you are going for. However, my family sessions take place in the cozy comfort of a family’s home so I want you to keep it casual, comfortable, and easy, so the photos feel real and authentic vs. “Pinterest-Perfect”.

Of course, if you need some guidance, I am here to help! I will highly recommend looking in your own closets because I do not want or expect you to spend more money, time, and energy stressing about buying everyone new clothes. My guidelines will be a little vague and I explain more if you keep reading…

A man sitting on an orange couch holds a baby in green clothing on his lap. A globe and a blanket with "Carnegie Mellon University" are visible in the background.


In this post, I shared photos from an adorable family that invited me into their life and their Squirrel Hill home for a second time! I met them when their first son was just a few months old. They hired me to photograph their family again because they had another baby! Their 2nd son looks almost exactly like his big brother when he was the same age!

Mom told me that her older son picked her shirt for the photo session and I LOVE that so much and it really relates to this entire blog post!

Woman holding a baby in a living room while a small child reaches up to her. The room has wooden floors and modern furniture.


Here are 6 Reasons why I will not send you a style guide:


1. Comfort is Key:

When you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, it shows. If you’re fidgeting with tight clothes or worrying about your shoes, it’s hard to relax and enjoy the moment. I want you to forget about what you’re wearing and focus on the fun of being with your family. Wearing something that you’re used to wearing every day helps you feel natural, which leads to better, more genuine photos.

And as a Mom to three boys who had a touch of sensory issues (like their Mom), the last thing you want is for your baby or kids to be uncomfortable with what they are wearing.

A baby in a green outfit lies on the lap of a person on an orange couch. The baby and person are relaxing on a patterned carpet.



2. Authenticity in Clothing Choices:

The clothes you already own reflect who you are. They tell your story. You don’t need to go out and buy something new for the shoot because the goal is to capture your family’s true personality. Whether it’s a favorite t-shirt, worn-in jeans, or being barefoot, those are the things that make you feel like you. When you wear what you love, the photos will show your real connection to each other.

An adult sits on a red couch holding a baby, while a small child stands nearby. There is a globe, photos on the wall, and magazines on a table in the background.


3. Encourage Kids to Pick Their Own Outfits:

Letting kids choose their own clothes for the photo session is a great way to keep things fun and stress-free. Kids have a way of expressing themselves through their outfits, and often, their choices can be surprisingly charming and full of personality. Plus, it keeps the process fun and gives them a sense of ownership in the experience. You’ll probably end up with some cute, quirky outfits that tell a story, and that’s exactly what we want!

Child doing a headstand on a red couch while an adult sits with crossed legs, surrounded by pillows. A globe and a children's book are on a nearby table.


4. Casual Over Formal:

I’m not saying to wear your pajamas (but it’s more than ok if you do!), but I believe casual is the way to go. Formal outfits can feel stiff and uncomfortable, and they don’t always capture the true vibe of a family. A casual approach means no pressure—just wear something you’d wear the other 364 days of the year! Whether it’s a cozy sweater or your favorite jeans, casual outfits help everyone feel more relaxed and able to enjoy the moment.

A man sits on a chair, a woman holds a baby, and a child stands on a round table in a room with photos and toys.


5. The Importance of Natural Connection:

The magic of family photos is all about capturing the bond between family members. Clothes don’t need to be perfect for that to happen. What matters is the connection, the laughter, and the little moments you share. When you’re focused on each other instead of worrying about your clothes, that’s when the best photos happen. Your personalities will shine through in your natural expressions, and that’s what I want to capture.

A woman is feeding a baby with a bottle while sitting on a couch. The baby is lying on a pillow, looking up.


6. Trusting Your Photographer (and the Process):

I’m here to guide you through the session, and I promise, we’ll get great photos no matter what you’re wearing. Trust that I know how to make you look your best, no matter the outfit. The goal isn’t to make you look like a magazine spread; it’s to capture your family’s real moments in a way that feels true to who you are. The less you worry about your clothes, the more you can enjoy the time with your family—and that’s when the best pictures happen.

An adult and child playing together indoors; one image shows the adult lifting the child, while the other shows them sitting in a chair, the child on the adult's lap.
A person sits in a chair holding a baby while a child stands on a round table. The room has photos on the wall and various items around.
Child jumping near a globe while another person sits on a chair holding a baby in a living room.
A woman holds a baby in her arms. The baby is wearing a green outfit and looks at the camera while the woman appears to be kissing or whispering to the baby.
A woman in a pink blouse changes a baby on a changing table with diapers and supplies nearby. The baby is wearing a green outfit and sucking on their fingers.
A family of four sitting on a gray couch; a woman and a man each hold a young child. The woman wears glasses and an orange top, and the man has curly hair and a dark T-shirt.
A baby wearing a green outfit is cradled by a person, while two other people look on, one in a pink top and the other in red.
A smiling family of four sits on a couch. The mother holds a baby, and the father holds a young boy.
A family of four sits on a couch. The mother holds a baby, while the father and older child sit close together. The room has natural lighting.
A family of four sits on a couch. The mother holds a baby, and the father sits beside them with an older child on his lap. The parents are smiling.
A family of four sits together on a couch. The mother holds an infant and a young child, while the father sits beside them, smiling.
A family of four sits on a couch. A woman holds an infant in her arms, while a man and toddler sit close beside them. The toddler appears to be laughing.
A couple sits on a sofa, smiling at two infants lying between them. One infant is wearing a green outfit, and the other has a red and white outfit. A stuffed animal is on the sofa.
A family sitting on a couch, a man holding a baby in green clothing, a young boy sitting beside them, and a woman smiling at the scene.
A young boy in a red shirt sits on a couch, holding a crying baby wearing green pajamas. In the second image, the boy hugs the baby while sitting on the couch.
A baby in a green outfit lies on a person's lap, while a child in a red and white shirt gently touches the baby's head.
A young child in a red shirt plays with a baby lying on a gray couch. The baby is wearing a green onesie.
A cheerful family sitting on a couch; a man, a woman, and two young children. One child sits on the woman's lap while the other is held by the man. A stuffed toy is on the couch.
A woman sitting on a couch holds a baby and a young child in her arms. The baby is dressed in a green onesie, and the child wears a red jacket. They all seem relaxed and comfortable.
A woman sits on a couch holding a baby and a laughing young boy on her lap.
A person sitting on a couch, holding a baby in their lap and another child resting on their chest.
A child laughs while sitting with an adult on a couch holding a remote. Nearby, the child is building a colorful toy structure on a table.
A family of three plays on a gray couch. The child is lying down and laughing, as an adult tickles them and another holds a toy.
Three-panel image: Child and man sit by a window, child flips over on a couch next to a woman, child hangs upside down next to a man on the couch.
A man, woman, and child sit on a gray couch in a living room. The child is holding a toy with a string. A small trampoline and book are on the floor.
A woman in glasses and a pink top holds a smiling baby in green pajamas. She sits on a beige couch with a brown pillow and holds a baby bottle.
A woman with glasses and a baby in a green onesie sit on a chair with a patterned cushion.
Baby in a green outfit sits against a patterned pillow on a gray chair, with a small smile and neutral expression in two photos.
A baby in a green outfit sits on a patterned pillow, smiling.
A baby wearing a green onesie sits on a patterned cushion, looking at the camera.
Baby in a green outfit lying on a floral pillow on a sofa.
A baby wearing a green onesie lies on a red couch, looking upward.
A young boy plays with a toy truck near a baby lying on a red sofa. A plaid Carnegie Mellon University blanket is in the background.
Two children are on an orange couch. The older child is sitting, wearing a red and white shirt, and playfully tapping the foot of the baby lying down in a green onesie.
A toddler in a red and white shirt plays with a toy camera near a baby lying on a red sofa. A blanket with "Carnegie Mellon University" is draped over the sofa.
A baby in a green onesie is lying on a red couch, looking up with an open mouth.
A baby in a green onesie lies on a red couch, looking at the camera with a playful expression.
A baby in a green outfit and a young child in a red and white shirt are lying on a red couch, both smiling.
Baby smiling while lying on a red couch, wearing a green outfit.
Two toddlers lie on a red couch, one in a red and gray outfit, the other in teal, both looking at the camera.


After we spent some time inside, we headed outside and their backyard is Frick Park! (Pittsburgh’s largest historic regional park) How lucky to live in such an amazing location!

A family of four, including a child on a bike, walks along a tree-lined path in autumn.
A family walks through a wooded path covered in fallen leaves on a sunny day. A woman carries a baby, a man walks ahead, and a child rides a tricycle.
A person in a denim shirt holds a baby wrapped in a blanket outdoors, with autumn foliage in the background.
A baby with wide eyes is held in a woman's arms. They are outdoors, and the woman is wearing a denim jacket.
A family of four in a grassy park; the father holds a child and bicycle upside down, while the mother holds a baby. The older child stands nearby with autumn trees in the background.
A smiling family stands together in a sunny park. A man holds a child with a bike, and a woman holds a baby. Leaves are scattered on the grass.
A family of four sits on a log in a wooded area during fall. The parents hold a baby and a child, all smiling and dressed warmly.
A family of four sits on a tree trunk in a forest. The parents smile with two young children, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
A woman helps a boy ride a bike through a forest path, while another woman walks holding a baby in the background.
A family walks along a sunlit path. An adult carries a baby, while another adult walks with a child. The child rides a bike on the right. Trees and parked cars are in the background.

I LOVED hanging out with this family again and I could seriously hang out with them often! Go have a peek at their first session with me!


If you’re ready to book a session, know that there’s no need to stress over outfits. Just be yourselves and let’s make some amazing memories together.


If you’re looking for a baby or family photographer in Squirrel Hill or the surrounding areas in Pittsburgh,  please get in touch to inquire about a session! I’d love to get you on my schedule!


Here are some other blog posts that you might want to check out! 


Are you on Instagram? I’d love to connect with you there!

All images by Mary Beth Miller Photography 

Mary Beth Miller Photography specializes in family and newborn photography in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and many of the surrounding areas. Mary Beth has over fourteen years of experience photographing families, newborns and babies in Pittsburgh including the South Side, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, the North Shore and Northside.   Her style is very relaxed and natural and your family session will feel like a stress-free Sunday afternoon with your family! 

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724.371.6575
marybeth@marybethmillerphotography.com

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Twp., and also serving Boardman, Poland, and Canfield, Ohio.

Mary Beth Miller Photography

Award for

Established in 2009
Family & Newborn Photographer serving the greater Pittsburgh area; Wexford, Mars, Cranberry Township