What to Wear for Calgary Family Photos: Why I Recommend Style & Select
Updated: 3 days ago
If you've booked a family session with me, you already know the first question that pops up: "What are we all going to wear?"
It's the top question I get asked when a family booking comes in—every single time. Not "where should we meet?" Not "what time is best?" It's always the outfits. You want everyone to look coordinated without being too matchy. You want outfits that photograph beautifully but still feel like you. And you don't want to spend hours opening twenty browser tabs, second-guessing every choice.
The short answer: I recommend Style & Select to every family I photograph. It generates a shoppable style board filtered for your session, and you can see the whole family's outfits side by side before buying anything.
I recently discovered Style & Select myself—and honestly, I wish I'd found it sooner. It solves the outfit problem better than anything I've tried, and I'm genuinely happy to share it with my Calgary clients, especially with the Christmas season coming up and 2027 outdoor family sessions on the calendar.
What Is Style & Select?
Style & Select is an interactive, shoppable styling tool built specifically for photo sessions. It was created by two photographers, Holly and Melissa, who were tired of the back-and-forth emails and outdated PDF style guides that clients never read. They wanted a visual, customizable alternative that actually shows clients what works—and where to buy it.
Instead of a static list of "do's and don'ts," Style & Select gives you a visual style board: a curated selection of photo-worthy clothing from real retailers like Target, H&M, Free People, Gap, and small boutiques, filtered for your family's sizes, your preferred color palette, and the vibe of your session.
You can see everyone's outfits side by side before you buy a single thing. That's the magic.
What to Wear and How It Works (It's Simpler Than You Think)
Here's the process, step by step:
1. Answer the style questionnaire.You'll enter how many people are being photographed, their sizes and ages, the color tone you're drawn to (light and airy, muted, bold, etc.), and your overall vibe. Keep it honest. The goal is outfits that feel like your family, not a costume.
2. Browse your curated results.Style & Select immediately shows clothing options filtered for your session type, season, and palette. Each item has a photo, price, and direct shopping link.
3. Heart what you love.Tap the heart icon on anything that feels right. Those items move into a coordination bar at the top of the screen, so you can see everything together in real time. Heart more than you think you need—you can always narrow down later.
4. Build outfits for the whole family.Start with one person's anchor outfit, then add pieces for everyone else. The board updates instantly. If something clashes, you'll see it immediately—and you can swap it out without starting over. The goal is coordination, not matching.
5. Email yourself the final board.Once you're happy, Style & Select emails you the complete board with photos and shopping links. This is also how the tool saves your selections, so don't skip this step.
Bonus: You can upload photos of clothes you already own to see how they coordinate with the suggested pieces. Perfect if you want to shop your own closet instead of buying everything new.
What to Wear for Calgary Family Photos and Why I Recommend It to My Clients
I've seen what happens when families feel confident in their outfits. They relax. They play with their kids. They actually enjoy the session.
Style & Select makes that easier. Here's why I love it:
It saves time. No more endless scrolling or second-guessing. The options are already filtered for photo-ready pieces.
It coordinates without matching. Your family looks like they belong in the same story—not like they're wearing uniforms.
It's flexible. Buy every piece, use the board as inspiration for your own closet, or mix and match. You're in control.
It reduces stress. The tool does the heavy lifting so you can focus on the excitement of the session.
Whether we're shooting in Fish Creek Park, a golden field outside the city, or a studio in Calgary, the palette you choose should work with the setting. For outdoor sessions in Calgary's fall light, soft creams, sage greens, and warm browns photograph beautifully. For winter or studio sessions, light neutrals pop against neutral backdrops. Style & Select lets you filter by season and setting so the board matches your actual session, not a generic idea of one.
One of my favorite photographers put it perfectly: her clients show up "feeling confident, comfortable, and excited," and that confidence shows in every gallery.
How to Get Started
If you're working with me, I'll send you a styling access code with your booking confirmation. That code unlocks the questionnaire and ties your results to my client portal.
Visit Style & Select: https://styleandselect.com
Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/style_and_select/
A Few Styling Tips to Keep in Mind
Whether you use Style & Select or shop your own closet, these guidelines will help:
Include:
Accessories: Jewelry, hats, cardigans, vests, and hair bows add layers and help coordinate across multiple people.
2–3 colors in the same tone, plus neutrals. Coordinate—don't match.
Mixed patterns and textures: Florals with stripes, plaid with polka dots. Velvet, lace, crochet, and corduroy add visual interest.
Colored pants: If you're going for earth tones, swap blue jeans for olive, burgundy, khaki, or grey chinos.
Outfits with movement: Flowy maxi dresses and skirts create magical images. Stay away from stiff, tight fabrics.
Avoid:
Bright neon colors: They distract and cause color casts on skin.
Athletic tennis shoes: Choose casual sneakers, boots, or neutral sandals instead.
Large logos and loud patterns: They take focus away from faces.
Everyone in jeans: Vary the pants—chinos, dresses, skirts, colored trousers.
Overly matching: Don't put everyone in the same shade. Coordinate instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Style & Select?Style & Select is an interactive styling tool built for photo sessions. You answer a short questionnaire about your family's sizes, preferred colors, and session vibe, and it generates a shoppable style board you can use to coordinate everyone's outfits.
How much does Style & Select cost?If you're working with me, I'll send you a styling access code with your booking confirmation at no extra cost. If your photographer doesn't offer it, you can purchase a 15-day styling pass directly from Style & Select for $15—enough time to build and finalize your family's outfits.
Do I have to buy new clothes for our Calgary family photos?No. You can use the style board as inspiration for pieces you already own, upload photos of your own clothes to see how they coordinate, or borrow a piece from my growing client closet. Many families mix a few new items with what's already in their wardrobe.
How do I coordinate family outfits without everyone matching?Choose 2–3 colors in the same tone plus neutrals, mix textures and patterns (but don't repeat the same pattern twice), and vary the pants—chinos, dresses, skirts, colored trousers. The goal is a cohesive palette, not identical outfits.
When should I start planning outfits for a Calgary family session?For the Christmas season, start at least 4–6 weeks before your session so you have time to shop and finalize looks. For 2027 outdoor family sessions, you can start anytime—Style & Select lets you save your board and revisit it as the date gets closer.
Let's Make This Easy
You have enough to think about before a family session. Your outfits shouldn't be the hard part.
Use Style & Select. Check my client closet. Email me with questions. I'm here to help you show up feeling confident and camera-ready.
With the Christmas season coming up and outdoor family sessions for 2027 already on my calendar, now is the perfect time to get your outfits sorted—without the last-minute panic.
Can't wait to create something beautiful with your family.
Danielle Durand
Danielle Durand Photography
Family photographer based in Calgary, Alberta, serving families across the city and surrounding areas.
[https://www.danielledurandphotography.com https://www.instagram.com/danielledurand_photography/ danielle@danielledurandphotography.com
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