Family Photos | what to wear to make the most of your session and not blend in!

You’ve all seen the site Awkward Family Photos, right? Funny, but you wouldn’t want to end up there. What you wear is key for a successful session. Clothing complements who you are as a family, speaks to the environment in which the session is taking place, and coordinates with the home where the final images will be displayed. Your style should be as unique as your family, so have fun! Here are some suggestions for a creative, comfortable session.

Color is Key

Choose a palette of three to four colors and mix it up! You want a cohesive feel without being overly matchy-matchy. Picture a page in a clothing catalog where everyone coordinates, but nobody stands out more than the rest. Almost everyone looks good in blue. And if you don’t normally dress everyone in your family in matching outfits, then there’s no need to do it for your portraits!

Watch out for wash out

Please don’t wear white or black, as they don’t photograph well outdoors. White on the bottom will definitely make you look larger than you are, and white on the top will wash you out and make you look pale. Black sucks up all of the light and ends up looking flat and dull. If we are doing a beach session, watch out for beige — you don’t want to blend in with the sand!

Dress for the season

Think about your surroundings and dress accordingly — if it’s spring, wear brights or pastels. If it’s fall, deep, rich colors that look good against the autumn landscape work wonderfully. And layers are fabulous! Scarves and other accessories can really add depth and dimension to your pictures.

Check the fun factor!

Arrange your outfits, including accessories, ahead of time, and check for stains and wrinkles. And remember, shoes should be clean and stylish too! I’m a big fan of bare feet, but if you must wear shoes, please do not wear white socks! Little kids should be in shoes that they can easily walk, run, and play in. No one wants to be worried about white heirloom lace! And if we’re shooting at the beach, I’m likely to suggest getting wet, so plan accordingly!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me prior to your session. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and feel like yourself. I create these portraits with the hope that they will become a part of your legacy — so show those future generations your fabulous style!