Chaz Cruz Photographers
What to
wear to
your session
A guide to getting dressed without overthinking it. What photographs beautifully, what to skip, and how to pull your family together without anyone looking too coordinated.
The big picture
Look related,
not coordinated.
Studio portraits are clean and unforgiving in the best way. There's no landscape to distract from what you're wearing, no golden hour to warm everything up. It's just you, the light, and the backdrop, which means what you wear matters more than it would outside.
Think of your outfits less like a uniform and more like a playlist. Each piece has its own vibe, but they all feel like they came from the same person's taste.
The goal isn't matching. It's belonging together.
Color palette
Tones that translate.
A few color families that consistently produce beautiful results in the studio, and a few that tend to pull focus away from the people wearing them.
What works beautifully
- Warm neutralsCream, ivory, oat, warm white
- Earthy tonesRust, terracotta, burnt orange, ochre, camel
- Deep, grounded tonesForest green, deep olive, chocolate, near-black
- True blackAlways works. Pairs beautifully with cream
- Muted tonesDusty rose, sage, warm grey, taupe
- Warm brownsTan, camel, cognac, tobacco
What to leave at home
- Bright, saturated colorsHot pink, cobalt, fire engine red, neon
- Pure, cool whiteCan blow out under studio light. Choose warm white or cream instead
- Busy patternsFlorals, bold stripes, graphic prints, logos
- Matching outfitsSame color on everyone reads as a uniform, not a family
Warm neutrals
Deep tones + white
Earthy layers
Fabric & texture
Texture is your best friend.
The studio is minimal by design, so texture is what gives your images life and dimension. These fabrics move well, photograph beautifully, and feel like you, not a costume.
Linen
Wrinkled is completely fine and actually photographs beautifully. The natural texture catches light in a way that feels real and effortless.
Chunky knits
Oversized sweaters, ribbed knits, thick cardigans. Great for movement and layering. Especially good for colder months.
Heavy cotton
Soft cotton with weight to it. Drapes well, doesn't cling, and looks relaxed without looking sloppy.
Denim
Especially worn, not stiff. Works as a grounding element for the group and pairs well with almost anything.
Flowing fabrics
Anything that moves. Drapy, fluid fabrics create beautiful shapes in motion and translate well in both color and black and white.
Velvet & corduroy
The subtle texture and depth of these fabrics photograph beautifully and add richness without being loud. Perfect for grounding an outfit.
For the little ones
Kids don't need
to match you.
Kids are the wild card, and that's part of what makes them so fun to photograph. They don't need to match exactly. They just need to feel like they belong in the same world.
- 01Simple is almost always better. A solid color onesie, soft trousers, a cozy knit. Let their personality do the talking, not their outfit.
- 02Comfort matters more than cuteness. A kid who is physically comfortable is a kid who will actually move and play and give you those real expressions. Avoid stiff shoes, scratchy fabrics, or anything they'll want to take off.
- 03If you're in warm neutrals, dress them in a complementary tone. If you're in black, ivory or camel will feel cohesive without being matchy.
- 04Barefoot is always welcome and often looks great, especially with little ones.
Putting it together
A formula that
almost always works.
Here's a simple way to approach getting your family dressed without coordinating everyone to death.
- 01
Start with one statement piece
A rust linen set, a camel oversized coat, a deep green knit. This is your anchor. Everything else builds around it.
- 02
Build the rest of the group around it
Complementary neutrals, tonal layers, one or two similar depth tones. You want harmony, not uniformity.
- 03
Make sure not everyone is in the same color family
Some contrast makes the group dynamic and interesting. One person in black, one in cream, one in a warm middle tone is a more compelling image than three people in cream.
- 04
Let texture do the rest
Once you have the palette, let fabric variety create the dimension. A chunky knit next to a linen blouse next to a soft cotton tee is already interesting.
An example
- MomCream linen pants, ivory blouse
- DadDark olive trousers, white tee
- ToddlerWarm oat knit romper, barefoot
The tones belong together without a single matchy moment. That's the goal.
A note on shoes
One thing to think about.
If you plan to use the white cyclorama, you'll need clean, indoor-only shoes. Outdoor shoes aren't allowed on the cyc to keep it pristine for everyone.
Barefoot
Almost always looks great in the studio, especially with kids. Our most popular option.
Clean sneakers
Simple, minimal, indoor-only pairs. White, black, or neutral tones. Nothing that's been on the street.
Simple boots or sandals
Minimal, not too decorative. Keep the focus on you, not the footwear.
Outdoor shoes
Not allowed on the cyclorama. If your only clean shoes double as your everyday pair, grab a second option.
Statement shoes
Anything that pulls more attention than the faces in the frame.
Bring a backup pair
Especially if you're unsure whether your shoes count as clean indoor shoes. Better to have options.
One last thing.
Don't overthink it. I've seen beautiful images come from families who just wore what felt like them. The clothes matter, but they matter less than showing up relaxed, present, and ready to be together.
If you're ever unsure about an outfit, send me a photo before the session. I'm happy to give you a quick gut check. 🤍
Send me a photo for approval