A spare shirt, your child’s green sneakers, and the hair clip you reach for every morning. When you’re choosing what to pack for family photos, start with the things your family already uses.
For a session in Bolivar or elsewhere in the 417, I’d put the extras in one bag you can carry. Here’s what I’d give room to, plus a few ways to keep it all within reach.
What to pack for family photos: the quick checklist
Use this list as a starting point. Pick the items that fit the ages of your kids, your location, and the clothes you plan to wear.
- A spare outfit for each young child, including socks and underwear
- Any planned outfit changes and a layer for the weather
- Shoes your family can walk in
- Water and familiar snacks
- Wipes, tissues, and your usual child-care items
- A brush or comb, hair ties or clips, and a lint roller
- A comfort item your child would like to bring
- A small bag for used clothes and wrappers
Keep water, snacks, and wipes near the top. Fold the spare clothes together so a whole change comes out in one go. The tiny socks get to travel with their outfit.
Pack a complete spare outfit
For a younger child, pack a full change that fits right now. Include the bits you might reach for after a spill: the shirt, bottoms, underwear, and socks. A soft romper or cotton set works for a baby. For an older child, a spare top may be all you want to bring.
Choose clothes your child likes wearing. Rust overalls with a cream tee, a lilac dress with a cardigan, or jeans with a favorite knit could all come along. Those are outfit ideas, so borrow the pieces that feel like your family.
Put any planned dressier change on a hanger if it creases when folded. Keep spare clothes separate from the outfit you want to wear next. That makes the right bundle easier to find.
For an outdoor session, check the National Weather Service forecast for the Springfield area before choosing your extra layer. A cardigan, coat, or dry pair of socks can go with the clothes you’ve already picked.
Give walking shoes their own spot
Bring shoes that fit and stay on while your child walks. Familiar sneakers can be part of the photos, too. I like seeing the green canvas pair someone already reaches for.
If you plan to change into another pair for photos, keep those together in a small shoe bag. Put the walking pair where you can reach them between locations. Check for the socks or tights that belong with each outfit before you close the bag.
Make a small pouch for touch-ups
Pack the brush or comb that suits your family’s hair, plus the ties, pins, or clips you use. A tortoise clip might be all you need for your own hair. Your child may want a small bow or a familiar elastic.
Add tissues and a lint roller if you use one. The lint roller earns its tiny bit of bag space when you’re wearing a dark knit.
If you’re bringing jewelry for an outfit change, keep it in a small case inside the pouch. A watch, a pendant, mixed metals, or your usual rings can stay part of your look. Pack the pieces you want to wear.
Keep water, snacks, and care items within reach
Choose a snack your child already eats and likes. Think about how it travels, whether it needs to stay cool, and how you’ll serve it during a break. Use the containers and care routine that work for your family.
Give wipes, tissues, diapers, and other usual care items a place you can find without unpacking the bag. Keep drinks closed and separate from the clothes. Pack something for yourself, too, if you’d like a snack.
For an outdoor session, add a small bag for wrappers and used wipes. Leave No Trace’s guidance on carrying out waste applies to the little things we bring along as well.
Choose a bag you can carry between photos
A canvas tote, backpack, or your usual family bag can do the job. Use the one that holds your extras and feels good to carry. A small pouch inside keeps the hair supplies together, while a separate bag holds shoes or used clothes.
A favorite toy or comfort item can have a place near the top. If your child would like a photo with it, tell us. The well-loved things are welcome in the plan.
Set the packed bag beside the shoes and any clothes on hangers. Leave yourself a note for anything still in the fridge. For help with the rest of the day, our family photo getting-ready guide covers the night-before plan and heading out.
Family photo packing questions
Does every person need an extra outfit?
Pack for your family and the session you booked. Young children may use a complete spare change. Adults and teens can bring planned changes, an extra layer, or a spare shirt if they want one. Confirm changing plans with us before packing several looks.
Can my child bring a toy into the photos?
Yes, tell us what they’d like to bring. A favorite toy can join some photos and stay nearby for others. Give it a spot in the bag where your child can find it.
Should I buy a new bag or supplies?
Start with what you own and use. Your everyday bag, familiar shoes, and usual hair supplies are a useful place to begin. Add only the extras your family needs.
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