How to Style Your Family Session (so it feels like you) | Chicago Film Photographer

One of the biggest hesitations I see from expecting moms trying to book a session is not feeling sure how to style your family session so it still feels like you. 

In the era of being flooded by Pinterest inspo, and a million GRWM on Tiktok… it’s really easy to feel lost in the sauce when it comes to your own family portraits.

Especially when you’re expecting and just want to feel like your cutest-pregnant-self.

As a Chicago film & portrait photographer, this is a part of the process that I pride myself on.

We work together before your session to figure out what your style is & how to represent it in your photos. 

So when our session rolls around, you’re getting ready while blasting your favorite music, feeling happy & excited to be documented. 

The session below is from Julia & Julian!

I wanted to feature them, because she really trusted me with collaborating on styling this session, and I loved how it turned out. (And she said she felt AMAZING when we were taking photos. Win win!) 

Julia and Julian invited me into their home while they waited for their second baby.

Their toddler  ran around playing with trains, climbing on the couch, and sneaking cuddles with mom. The whole session was exactly the relaxed and cozy vibe what Julia had envisioned.

And honestly, that’s always the goal. I want your photos to feel like real life, just a little elevated.

Which is why I teach you how to style your family photos so that you’re feeling incredible. 

Julia leaned into pieces that felt true to her.

A soft striped sweater with brown lounge pants showed off her growing belly. It kept it cozy, but not looking like Adam Sandlar (IYKYK). 

Later she changed into an all black outfit that was another simple but elevated look. Julian stayed in relaxed neutrals to compliment her. And their little one matched the vibe with comfy little fits that felt playful, but still pulled together.

Nothing felt overly-styled or “made up”… but it was intentional.

So where do you start when thinking about how to style your family session? 

When moms reach out for maternity sessions, they’re usually around 30+ weeks pregnant. And I know that stage can feel a little strange. Your body is changing quickly and sometimes it doesn’t feel like your normal self.

That’s why we start with inspiration.

I have clients create a mood board where they save only styles they personally love. Not what they think they should wear. Just things that feel right to them. Then we go through it together and start noticing patterns.

Maybe you keep saving cozy outfits. Maybe you’re drawn to sleek black pieces. Or, maybe it’s oversized knits and relaxed denim.

From there, we build looks that feel natural to you. That way you’ll feel your most confident during photos. 

A few things that usually work really well:

• Soft, comfortable fabrics that move easily
• Neutral tones that photograph really well
• Layers like cardigans, sweaters, or button ups
• Simple accessories like sentimental jewelry 
• Pieces that already exist in your closet

When you as a mom feel good in what you’re wearing, the photos just flow.

And if you’re wanting to do a little shopping before your session, I recommend Anthropologie, Etsy or even Aerie for some elevated staple pieces! 

Choosing the right location also helps! 

The second element in designing a portrait session that is authentic, is being thoughtful about your location.

But before we even talk about where to shoot, I ask one simple thing:

how do you want these photos to feel?

Julia wanted cozy, slow, and intimate. So their house made perfect sense. The neutral living room, soft window light, and quiet moments on the couch… all told part of their story.

There were little scenes everywhere.

Reading books together, playing trains on the floor, getting ready in the bathroom, and those sweet quiet moments when her little one curled up next to her bump. 

I like to imagine Julia looking back on these photos in 10 years with so much fondness and nostalgia. I know all the little details will transport her right back.

Okay so just to recap: 

If there’s one takeaway from this, it’s that knowing how to style your family session is less about following a set of rules and more about leaning into what already feels like you.

This is something I help all of my clients do, so you don’t have to go through the experience unguided. 

For Julia: she focused on comfort, elevated casual  fashion, and a space that meant something to their family. 

The result was a gallery of photos that felt relaxed, stylish, and full of love as they waited for baby number two.

If you’re interested in working together to create your dream family photo session, reach out on my website here. I’d love to have you in front of my camera!