Children.

Discuss the photo sitting the day before. Toddlers can choose their favourite clothes to wear or toy to pose with. Reluctant children could come up with their ugliest face - I will happily photograph it. This tends to relax the child for further pictures. Older children can have a say in how they want to be portrayed, and can help plan the shoot. Usually, a portrait session is not the best time to try on new, formal clothing, unless the child really loves it.

Families and Adults

A pleasing visual harmony can be achieved by wearing similar colours or styles of clothes. All blue, white shirts and jeans, surfing gear, various colours of the same type of t-shirt, and so-on. As a family, you need to decide how you will present yourselves. You could have different styles in one colour - a little black dress beside black jeans and a turtleneck, beside black leather. Be creative, but stay within your comfort zone, or the pictures will not look good.

Clothes

Plain colours are best; patterns tend to distract the viewer. Whether dark or light colours are best will depend on the background in your house or garden. Above all, be comfortable.