What should I wear for my Family Photo Session?

Here are some helpful tips:

• Coordinate your outfits. This doesn’t mean everyone has to match with khaki pants and a white shirt!  You want to complement each other’s outfits by choosing colors that work well together.

• When choosing a pattern, try picking one that is smaller so as to not distract from the subject(s).

• Avoid large logo’s, emblems and graphics like “GAP” and “Old Navy” because again, these will typically distract attention away from the subject.  (This also goes for shirts with large phrases/words/jokes that may become a distraction.)

• Wear something you are comfortable in and that shows your own unique sense of style. We want to capture you as you are!

• Dress for the occasion and/or season. Wear clothes that you won’t be too hot/cold in depending on the weather.

• If the weather permits layer your clothing. Wear a cute tank top with a scarf and jean jacket. By adding/subtracting certain elements you will have a totally different look.

• Feel free to personalize your images, if you want to bring “props” that will represent you or your family, feel free. Bring your guitar if you play music, your skateboard or basketball if those are your interests, or if your child has a toy that they won’t part with 90% of the day you can bring that too. 

• Make sure you have given yourself enough time to think about all of the details of your session.  Plan ahead so that #1 you can truly think about your photos and everything you want out of the session, #2 you aren’t rushing and stressing out right before your session, and #3 if you have decided to go for a new look for your session or someone gets a bad haircut, you still have time to fix things if you need to.

• If time allows it, bring another set of outfits.  Again, you will get a lot more variety in your shots so why not capitalize on the opportunity and get the most bang for your buck!

• If you are in a large group maybe just choose one or maybe two specific colors as a theme and make sure that everyone in the group knows what the theme is in advance: Example if you chose navy blue and white: you may wear both colors or possibly just a top of one of the colors, and maybe someone else will wear navy pants, someone else will wear a white sweater, someone else will wear a plaid pattern that is navy and white. This will ensure an overall unity of the group but it won’t be too “matchy”.

 

If I were building outfits for my family this is how I would do it:

 

Keeping the location and weather in mind start with one person typically the main subject or whoever is coordinating the outfits. If I planned on wearing something with print I would choose one color (or maybe a few) from within that print and have my other subjects wear those colors. Choose colors that look nice on your subject though, so if they don’t look great in red and you are wearing a red polka-dot skirt, try choosing another color that compliments red nicely (ie. navy, black, white, etc). Try pulling different colors/prints together and see how they look. 

 

Don’t stress too much about it! Most of all just have fun, you will look great and have some wonderful photos to help create memories of this time in your life.

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Here are some examples of families who did a great job coordinating. Let their images inspire you to choose some great outfits that coordinate and illustrate your families own personal style: