So you’re having family photos done this summer or fall and just have no clue what to wear? Have no fear! I’ve got you covered with the best affordable dress options to have you looking and feeling amazing for your family’s summer photo shoot. I always recommend that moms pick out their wardrobe first, as we are usually the ones who have the hardest time finding something we LOVE and that will look great! If you pick your outfit out first then everyone else is easily built up around you. Outfits for your husband and kids can be coordinated around your perfect maxi dress!

Why a long flowy maxi dress you ask?

Well, there are several reasons why I always recommend a dress for moms and women in general! Even engagement shoots!

1. They look dressed up and casual all at the same time! You can easily wear a beautiful maxi dress while the rest of your fam bam are in jeans and cute tops. They are so very versatile for formal and casual photos.
2. They are flattering to most every body type! A great wrap dress looks amazing, gives you a well defined waist, and flows out in just the right spot to help all the mamas hide or diminish what they may want hidden.
3. Long dresses are great for those sitting down shots! No worries about flashing anything that shouldn’t be flashed! Shorter dresses are a bit more difficult to wear when you have toddlers and kids that you will be chasing around or sitting on your lap. Trust me, the longer the better!
4. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!! When we have the perfect sunshine and a great long maxi dress we can play with it! The perfect maxi dress will give movement and flow to an image adding that wow factor!
5. If you feel great, your images will be all that much better! You carry yourself differently when you are in a gorgeous dress than you do when you’re in jeans and a tee shirt!

What colors or pattens work best for summer scenes?

I tend to lean towards softer colors for summer. I loves whites, creams, sage green, pale blues, soft yellows, and pinks. Those colors look great with the spring and summer backdrops of greens and blues. You can pick up a patterned dress for yourself or for the kids, but keep the patterns small and pull out the colors from it to pull a whole look together.

So what dresses are just right and won’t break the bank?!

I’ve pulled together quite a few dresses from some of my go to dress shops for you to shop from, or get inspiration from.

All of these dresses have a defined waist, and a flowy bottom with extra material for movement, which makes them perfect! Just picture you playing with the bottom of your dress walking through a field of wildflowers, or your toddler holding onto the bottom of your dress. So pretty!

These are from www.viccicollection.com

These are from www.shoppinkblush.com a great spot for both maternity and everyday dresses!

And from one of my go to dress shops, www.lulus.com

Ashley is a family and engagement photographer located in Sussex County New Jersey and serving the New York New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. Specializing in natural, candid and fun photos for families across New Jersey and the try state area.

New Jersey Lifestyle Photographers.