Proven suggestions and tips to allow your shoot to be the “GOAT”!
Don’t match. Coordinate.
You need to coordinate, not match, when deciding what to wear for photos. For family groups, start with the youngest and pull colors from their outfit to dress and layer everyone else. Layering can make a huge difference in tying in all the colors.
Highlight your best asset.
Wearing something that highlights your best asset during your session will give you a boost of confidence throughout the shoot that will show in your final images.
Choose your color palette first.
When deciding what to wear for photos, pick a palette of 3-4 colors. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, and pastels. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
Use the color wheel.
Using the color wheel assists in deciding what clothes will look good in the chosen photography location. There are many ways to use the color wheel when deciding what to wear for photos. One way is to use complementary colors. For example, in the color wheel, yellow and purple are directly opposite from one another so they are considered complementary. Those two colors (both in the location and attire) will be beautiful!
Shop at the same store.
Make coordinating family photo outfits easy by shopping at the same store or choosing the same brand. It’s especially helpful when there are multiple children to dress.
Don’t forget about the shoes.
If you’re not the type 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. Shoes are a part of the outfit and should match the style of clothing. If everyone is wearing dressy/boho vibe clothes, they should not be wearing Nike tennis shoes or Old Navy flip flops.
Choose colors from your home.
Many family photo sessions take place in the comfort of the home. Families should dress to coordinate with their home.
Skip the logos and characters.
Skip logos. Words, and characters as they draw the eye away from the subject. Babies and toddlers look adorable shirtless and in just a diaper.
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 which are readily available in the fall. The result is a monochromatic look that I love. 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.”
Use muted colors.
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.”
Be bold.
Adding cheerful colors to the mix can complement the mood. Pick only one or two happy colors and use some neutral details (white or grey) to tame them a bit.
Use your go-to outfit.
Be who you truly are. Consider using 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 them feel fabulous.
Fit your style to your location.
Always keep your session location in mind when choosing your outfit. If your session is happening in a city setting, dress up a bit with a pair of cute heels and a fancier dress than you’d normally wear to match the bustling vibe of the city. 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 than the everyday and professional photographs can definitely be considered a special occasion.
Keep comfort first.
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 isn’t how talented you were at styling your kids but 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!
Minimize patterns.
Keep patterns to a minimum. Consider playing with textures instead. The clothing should coordinate, not take over.”
Accessorize!
Accessories give your photographs that needed punch. They lend pops of color, personality, and interest. Everybody wears them well and they work for all ages.