If you’re like me, when you shop for regular clothes you probably hit Target, Old Navy, Gap, Loft…the usuals! I might pop over to Anthropologie or Nordstrom’s for something nicer, and if I’m searching for something specific I hop onto Amazon. BUT, dresses for pictures? Well, those need to be a little special.
I’ve searched high and low for the online shops that are guaranteed to have adorable dresses for pictures, so it can be super easy to decide what to wear for pictures! And of course they’re online shops. Because WHO has time to wander a mall all day? Not this lady. So, let’s start with my number one find! Morning Lavender!
**LINKS UPDATED FOR 2022**
UPDATED FOR 2022: My Client Closet is now available to anyone who has booked a portrait session with me! These are all hand-selected dresses that photograph beautifully, add beautiful movement to your photos, and are super flattering. Browse the Client Closet, available exclusively for SSP’s Portland family photo session clients, right here.
Morning Lavender: Romantic Pastel Dresses for Pictures
Why I Love It: Affordable, picture-perfect dresses come in a range of soft pastel colors that photograph beautifully. It’s easy to find dresses in tulle and chiffon, which give your pictures that soft, romantic, flowy look just through the way they move! And bonus? THEY HAVE MAXI DRESSES IN PETITE SIZES!! I’m 5’4″ so this. is. lifechanging.
My Current Favorites: The Bethany Dress for its flattering wrap silhouette, and the Tilly Dress because I love a flowy dress at a photoshoot! It still has some waist definition to make it flattering in photos, and the floral is soft and muted even though it’s a larger print.
The Bethany Dotted Wrap Dress from Morning Lavender
The Tilly V-Neck Maxi Dress from Morning Lavender
Pinkblush: Dresses for Pictures that are Feminine and Simple
Why I Love It: Pinkblush is THE place to get dresses for pictures! Look past their name–they have a full selection of standard sizes, not just maternity. Right now, they have a ton of variety in their Lace Dresses category, and lace is a BEAUTIFUL choice for photos! They also have a baby/kids section, so if you’re shopping for a family session, you can do one order and just about get your wardrobe taken care of!
My Current Favorites: The Peach Ditsy Floral Smocked Off Shoulder Dress for alllll the Bridgerton in the country vibes! This type of dress looks incredible in a field family photo session. I also love the Mesh Lace Overlay Dress: I have it in blue in the Client Closet, and it’s a favorite among my clients! It’s an easy, comfortable fit, with subtle detailing because of the allover lace embroidery and scallop hem sleeves. I prefer this particular version over others on Amazon because the lining goes all the way to the hem, where other ones cut off at the knees.
The Peach Ditsy Floral Smocked Off Shoulder Dress from PinkBlushMaternity
Mesh Lace Overlay Dress from PinkBlushMaternity
Baltic Born: My Go-to for Dresses for Pictures
Why I Love It: Baltic Born is an easy go-to for dresses for photos for a wide range of clients! Most of their dresses come in several colors, making it easy to find something that suits you. They do a great job of having dresses that are on trend but still timeless and classic.
My Current Favorites: The Alice Dress is the perfect flowy photoshoot dress with its subtle neutral pattern, waist definition, and chiffon sleeves. I also adore the Marseille and have all my fingers crossed hoping someone wears it this season for photos, because it’s just stunning! It’s a little more fancy, but those embroidered tulle sleeves will photograph SO dreamily!
The Alice Dress from Baltic Born, a perfect flowy photoshoot dress
The Marseille Dress from Baltic Born would be perfect for a dreamy fine art garden session
Lulu’s: Colorful & Trendy Dresses for Pictures
Why I Love It: Lulu’s selection is broad, with a hefty dose of fun boho maxis. If my client wants a warm, colorful, free spirited shoot, I’d send them to Lulu’s! There is also a fantastic selection of more formal dresses if you wanted to get one casual dress and one formal dress, and I loved how I was able to find several dresses with sleeves, because those are always SO flattering in photos!
My Current Favorites: For clients wanting more colorful, vivid photos, I like the Much Obliged Golden Yellow Wrap Maxi Dress because it will POP in photos, and also give you great shape with it’s wrap waist while still being loose and flowy.
I hope this was helpful for any of you out there planning what to wear for family photos! I’m happy to share more recommendations if you have any special requests! Just drop them in the comments and the answer might show up in a future blog post!
[…] For mamas, I love this recent post from Portland stylist Grace of Builtgracefully about her 3 favorite brands to shop for family photos. You can also read about my recommendations on where to shop for dresses for family pictures here! […]