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Finding and choosing the right outfits to wear can be daunting. Here are a bunch of tips to help make it easier!
Don’t match. Coordinate.
Try to coordinate, not match, when deciding what to wear for photos. One idea is to start with yourself or the youngest and pull colors from those outfits to dress and layer everyone else. Layering can make a huge difference in tying in all the colors.
Don’t forget about the accessories.
If you’re not the type of family who likes being barefoot, be sure to keep your footwear in mind. Nothing will throw your look off more than a ratty old pair of shoes. Feel free to add belts on dresses and hats (or head peices) are awesome even if you just wear it for a bit. Jewelry is great, keep it to a minimum but don’t forget it. Oh, and don’t forget the doggy.
Highlight your best asset.
Wear something that highlights your best asset (yeah you know what that is…) this will give you a boost of confidence throughout the shoot that will definitely show in your final images, and lets face it… show the good stuff!
Choose your color palette first.
Pick a palette of 3-4 colors. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
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Choose colors from your home.
Many of my family photo sessions take place in the comfort of the home. Dress to coordinate with your home. Is your home light, bright and airy or moody and dark? What colors do you decorate with? Think of putting your image on the wall so that it matches your decor.
Look for complementary colors.
Since most of our sessions are on the beach or field we want the colours to compliment those locations. We love the outdoors and it’s important to chose clothing that is simple so that it’s not taking away from our environment and beautiful surroundings, although wanting to stand out from the background at the same time.
Keep it simple and comfy.
For at-home newborn sessions or family photos, which are typically taken on the big bed, I always recommend wearing cotton t-shirts, linen pants, no shoes and loose and comfortable clothing. Staying neutral in a bedroom setting keeps the photos simple and soft with the focus on the connection and emotion between people. And don’t forget about the bedspread! If it’s really bright, has a distracting pattern, or maybe it’s a little drab, take it off and stick with light colored sheets instead.”
Skip the logos.
Keep it simple and clean. I like the focus to be on the emotion and connection of the family. Subdued colors, solids, and muted prints work well for that. Skip logos and words as they draw the eye. Babies and toddlers look adorable shirtless and in just a diaper or less.
Choose neutral clothing.
When families have no idea what colors to wear for photos, I suggest wearing any combination of cream, gray, and tan. It is pretty hard to mess that up and looks good in almost every setting, especially dried-grass fields or the beach. The soft neutrals always bring the focus back to the people in the photos. This timeless look is easy to pull together, and (bonus!) dads love looking comfortable and not all dressed up.”
Opt for monochromatic.
I know this contradicts what I said above about complimenting the location BUT sometimes it works to dress monochromatic to match your location. Sounds crazy, right? But here’s a few reasons why this can make for interesting portraits. I can help you plan when this is right and sometimes is great for a second change of clothing. This works great for maternity sessions and what I will show you below… is my family photo… yes I have 4 kids.
Use muted colors.
I’ve found that muted tones look beautiful together in a family picture. When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won’t pull attention away from the main subjects, and only put one person in a pattern. When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give photos some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, and knits. I find if the girl wears the pattern and everyone compliments it works great.
Be bold.
AND YES THERE IS A TIME TO BE BOLD TOO…. If this is you then I love to make my clients pop in the frame with bold colors. These photos are filled with joy and happiness so adding cheerful colors to the mix can complement the mood so well! Pick only one or two happy colors and use some neutral details (white or grey) to tame them a bit. They get bonus points if at least one family member is wearing some sort of geometric pattern. I’m a huge fan of stripes but polka dots are also a great choice in my book!”
Use your go-to outfit.
I’m all about being who you truly are. That does not mean going out and purchasing four new outfits. Look in your closets and pull out the outfit that is your very favorite. Everyone has a go-to outfit that they choose when going out with friends, the outfit that fits perfectly and makes you feel fabulous.
Add a pop of color.
Don’t be afraid of a little color! You don’t have to go overboard, but picking up bold colors from a more subtle outfit for a pop of color can look amazing. For example, if dad is wearing a plaid shirt, draw one color from it and have one child wear a pop of that color.”
Fit your style to your location.
Always keep your session location in mind when choosing your outfit. If your session is happening at a resort, dress up a bit with a pair of cute heels and a fancier dress than you’d normally wear to match the vibe. If you’ve selected a more natural environment, choose something a bit more casual such as a maxi dress and opt for casual footwear like flat sandals or boots.”
Dress up.
Don’t be afraid to dress up in formal clothes, especially for an engagement session. It’s not only fun, but it’s something different.
Pick a statement piece.
Choose one statement outfit with a few colors in it and use that to work off of for the rest of the family’s outfits. In this photo, mom chose her beautiful dress first, which had lovely colors to choose from when coming up with outfits for the rest of her family. Coordinate and not be too matchy-matchy. I love that there are two prints in this photo yet the patterns look completely different. When I posed this family, I put the son next to dad to balance out the patterns in the image.
Keep comfort first.
If you are comfortable your movement and playful behavior will be much more natural. A mom in a short skirt and high heels is less likely to play wildly with her kids or get messy so I always tell my clients to think about being comfortable first. What you want to remember in 10 or 20 years is how happy you were together as a family. Pick the clothes that will let you run freely and be blissfully carefree! If you love to wear jeans, don’t look further. They are comfortable AND photogenic, now you only need to find cute tops!
Opt for timeless over trendy.
I gravitate towards rich, earthy colors complementing the natural elements around us. Most of the clothing I purchase for my family is from Zara, Gap Kids, H&M,. When choosing complementary colors, consider the colors in your location, too. For example, if you know there is going to be a lot of green foliage around you consider red for your subject’s clothing. Compliment the background but stand out.
Let hair move.
I love when hair is natural and moving, however bring simple clips or bows (not too big or distracting from the face)if it is windy or if the hair is moving in the face. If we end up in the sea, let it down, and lets get mucky!
Check out my Pinterest links
I have created a ton of Pinterest style boards to give you examples of what to wear for photos that also help to complement your style. If you like soft palettes, earth tones, soft tones I have examples of what compliments these. If you like pops of bold colors, I have examples to fit that style.
For more ideas on your family photos click here…