Every person has an individual taste in clothing, and that is what makes you, you! Yet when working with a group, it is essential to coordinate color tones and styles, from head to toe, for a more pleasing visual effect. This is true for any type of family sitting (formal, informal, or on-location).

When preparing for your family portrait, we suggest you place the clothing articles together side-by-side to get an idea of how they will appear in your portrait. If you notice one clothing article stands out in contrast with the others, you will also see it in your finished picture.

It is important to choose clothing that fits well and doesn’t distract from the subjects. Clothing should be clean and wrinkle free, as untidy clothing will show clearly in a photograph. Try to avoid sleeveless tops, tweeds, shiny material, and busy prints when possible.

Also think about your home decor colors where you will be displaying the portrait to continue the cohesive look.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the focus of any professional portrait should be the face—not the clothing or colors. That said, the right color tones can enhance your portrait by adding warmth and depth to the overall image.

For indoor portraits (High-Key background):
We recommend light tones such as whites, creams, or pastels. These work beautifully with bright studio settings and create a soft, timeless look.

For outdoor portraits (natural light):
Natural light pairs best with earth tones like greens, tans, beige, and browns, as well as other medium-depth colors. To avoid a washed-out look, we suggest steering clear of whites and very light pastels in outdoor settings.

If you’re unsure how to coordinate outfits, our portrait consultant is happy to help—just give us a call!

Yes. Please let us know if you wish to have separate groups photographed during your consultation. This will allow us to tailor the photo session to your needs and set time aside for the creation of each group portrait.

For the best results, we recommend that everyone in the portrait is dressed “head-to-toe” in the style you’ve chosen. Coordinating complete outfits gives our photographer greater flexibility when arranging the group and capturing a variety of poses.

The way your group is composed will depend on several factors, including the number of people, differences in height, and the colors being worn. Coordinated outfits help create a balanced, visually pleasing composition that ensures every person looks their best.

Need outfit guidance? Our portrait consultant is available to assist you with styling tips and suggestions

There’s truly no single “best” time—every stage of your baby’s first year is filled with unique moments worth capturing. From the earliest days to the first steps, each session highlights a different part of your child’s growth and personality.

Here’s a look at some popular milestones we love to photograph:

• Newborn to 3 months: These early sessions are perfect for capturing the quiet, tender moments of infancy—tiny features, swaddled snuggles, and the special bond between baby and parents.
• Around 3 months: Babies start to show their first smiles and become more alert, offering sweet, expressive portraits.
• At 6 months: Most babies are sitting up and showing more personality, making this a wonderful time for natural, engaging photos.
• Around 8 months: Some babies begin standing with support or even taking early steps. Their curiosity and expressions are a joy to photograph.
• 9 to 12 months: As babies become more mobile and adventurous, we capture their growing independence and playful spirit.

Many families choose to schedule multiple sessions throughout the first year to preserve these precious milestones. We’re here to help you tell your baby’s story—one beautiful portrait at a time.

Children respond best when they are well-rested. It is generally best to schedule a baby or small child’s appointment after their feeding and nap times.

Yes. We welcome props that are meaningful to your child. Our portrait consultant will be happy to discuss all prop options with you.

Yes. A beautiful portrait of you and your child will not only be meaningful to you today, but your child will cherish it in the years ahead. Refer to the session table above for pricing details.

Proper fit is key—clothing that fits well helps keep the focus on your child’s natural charm. Outfits that are too large can be distracting and take attention away from the portrait’s overall impact.

Our photographers carefully consider the colors your child is wearing and choose backdrops that enhance the look and feel of each portrait.

For indoor sessions, our studio is fully equipped with a variety of high-quality backgrounds. We’ve found that:

• White and pastel clothing works best with light-colored backgrounds.
• Medium to dark tones photograph beautifully against darker backdrops.

For outdoor sessions, earth tones such as green, brown, blue, maroon, and tan tend to blend well with natural settings and create warm, timeless images.

For home or on-location sessions, you’ll have more flexibility, and we’ll work with your environment to find the most flattering setup.

During your complimentary portrait consultation, we’ll go over color suggestions, show you background samples, and help you choose wardrobe options that will bring out the best in your child’s portraits.

Yes. When photographing your children in a group portrait, it is wise to coordinate the color of the children’s clothing. See our Family FAQ for more information on color coordinating.

Yes. Mark Lawrence Photographers has a staff of excellent photo artists to clean up the final portrait. Extensive retouching can be done at an additional cost.

Most times of the year, we generally can schedule an appointment for a consultation within a week. During the summer and fall months, it tends to be a week or two.