Fashion 101: What to Wear for Your Family Session
Choosing the right clothing for a family photo session can greatly impact the final result of your photos. Here are some tips on what to wear for a family photo session:
Coordinate, but don't match: Instead of dressing everyone in identical outfits, opt for coordinating colors and styles. Choose a color palette that complements each other, such as earth tones, pastels, or cool tones. This creates a visually pleasing and harmonious look without being too uniform.
Avoid loud patterns and logos: Busy patterns and clothing with large logos or text can be distracting in photos. Stick to solid colors or subtle patterns to keep the focus on your family's faces. Also, think about what we wore in the 80’s and 90’s… how many of those patterns just didn’t age well?
Consider the location and season: Think about where the photo session will take place and the season. If it's a beach shoot in the summer, light and airy clothing may work best. For a fall session in a park, earthy tones and layers can be a good choice.
Dress comfortably: Make sure everyone is comfortable in their outfits, especially children. Uncomfortable clothing can lead to fidgeting and unhappy expressions in photos. If you’ve got a little one in a dress, maybe a pair of tumble shorts under a dress can help them feel more at ease with running and playing (and you don’t have to worry about undies getting flashed in your photos)!
Pay attention to accessories: Simple accessories like scarves, hats, or jewelry can add personality to your outfits. Layering can add depth to your photos! Using cardigans, vests, or jackets can add visual interest to your family's outfits. This is especially useful for fall or winter sessions. Just be sure not to overdo it; less is often more.
Think about the background: Consider the backdrop of your photos when choosing clothing colors. You want your family to stand out, so choose colors that contrast with the background. If you’re having photos in a forest, dark green might not be your best color choice. Photos at the beach? The light tans might blend in.
Fit matters: Ensure that everyone's clothing fits well and is properly tailored if necessary. Ill-fitting clothing can be distracting and unflattering in photos.
Be yourself: Ultimately, your family photos should reflect your family's personality and style. Don't be afraid to let each family member's individuality shine through in their clothing choices.
Test outfits beforehand: Before the actual photo session, have a dress rehearsal to make sure everyone's outfits work well together and look good in natural light. This is a stretch… with school and activities, who has the time or bandwidth to try to do this? If you do, it is a great last step though.
Remember that the goal is to capture your family's unique connection and personality, so choose clothing that helps convey that while also creating a visually pleasing composition. We are always happy to help you with questions or ideas when it comes to photo styling!