More than any other question, clients always ask what they should wear to their family session. Coordinating your outfits can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!
A fellow photographer Kate Lemmon covers tons of ideas to help you with styling and I wanted to summarize and share some of her tips in this post.
(this shoot is from one of my recent sessions at Half Moon Bay and what I love about their outfit is that the solid colors are offset by a little pop of pattern (daughter’s dress) and lots of texture (mom’s & baby's sweater). The shades of blue tied this all together but wouldn't be perfect without that touch of pink. This set looks casual and effortless but still chic!
GENERAL CLOTHING TIPS
WANT A FAIL-PROOF FORMULA?
Put most of the family in different neutral shades (i.e. ivory, gray, beige) and then add a few pops of coordinating color.
START WITH ONE PERSON.
It’s way easier to visualize the whole puzzle once you know what one piece looks like! Try starting with mom or daughter, since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints.
COMPLEMENT, DON’T MATCH!
The day of all white shirts and khaki pants are long past! We want colors that generally complement each other: so for instance, soft colors (light blue, gray, blush) or warm colors (brown, orange, burgundy). If you want colorful images, then you should choose a more vivid color scheme for your outfits!
Generally, solids work best.
Pops of pattern can definitely look great, but if you’re looking for a fail-proof family combination, go with solids. To keep things from looking boring, include textures (think chunky knits, tulle, lace, etc). Avoid tiny prints, especially small plaid and small stripes.
STICK TO ONE OUTFIT.
Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be! All you need for an awesome family session is one outfit for everyone. Changing outfits will take time away from your shoot and can put your kids in a grumpy mood.
CONSIDER YOUR HOME DECOR.
If you’re planning to hang your images in your living room that’s decorated in all white, you probably don’t want your clothing to be dark. If you’re hanging them in a colorful nursery, then wear vivid outfits.
PLAN FOR THE WEATHER.
Nothing is worse than being miserably uncomfortable in a perfect outfit. If you’re planning an outdoor session in November, think about coats, gloves, and hats. In the summer, dress in layers that you can easily take off if you get too hot.
DON’T FORGET SHOES!
These are often the forgotten last element, but they can really make or break your outfits! If you can’t find shoes you love, consider going barefoot (just bring walking shoes to get from point A to point B).
TRY ON YOUR CLOTHES WELL IN ADVANCE!
Check your outfits from all possible angles in the mirror, not just the one you like best. Try sitting, squatting, leaning forward, etc. The kids’ clothes should work well in motion so that we can play during your session (think flying, tickling, and hanging upside down).
LET THE KIDS HAVE INPUT.
If your daughter hates wearing dresses, don’t force her to wear one for picture day. If your son thinks that bowtie is uncomfortable, ditch it. Happy kids make for happy photos!
OVERALL TIPS
SAY YES TO:
COMFORT
Above all, if you feel good, you will look good! Choose clothing that gives you freedom of movement, keeps you warm/cool, and won’t require a lot of maintenance throughout your session.
TEXTURE
Add some visual interest to your images with unique fabrics. Some examples: lace, cable knits, chambray, tweed, herringbone, chambray, faux fur, wool.
PATTERNS
Don’t be scared of patterns and prints! They can work great in moderation. Try one statement piece (for instance, a colorful floral dress for mom) and one subtle pattern (maybe polka dots for baby girl), and then keep the rest of the family more simple. Large prints and patterns work best – I recommend avoiding small plaid/stripes.
LAYERS AND ACCESSORIES
These are the quickest way to take your outfits from average to amazing! Think scarves, blazers, cardigans, belts, jewelry, fun socks, and hats.
FITTED CLOTHING
We don’t want your clothing to be too baggy or too tight. Properly fitted clothing looks put together and will show your shape. For women, your upper half and lower half should be balanced: so for instance, blousy shirt + skinny pants, or tight shirt + flowing skirt.
CLASSIC CHOICES
Try to steer away from current trends, since they’ll date your photos 10 years from now.
SAY NO TO:
FORMAL CLOTHES
Let your clothing match your surroundings. A tuxedo or formal dress will look out of place in the woods.
BRIGHT WHITE
If you love white, try off-white or ivory instead.
DARK COLORS
Black and dark navy/brown/gray should all be avoided, since they tend to darken the overall feel of your photos and keep them from feeling bright & airy.
NEON COLORS
These create skin tone/color cast issues.
VERY SATURATED COLORS
I.e. bright red, bright yellow, etc. Instead, try more muted versions of the same color: so for instance, replace bright red with dark red; replace bright yellow with mustard, etc.
LOGOS & TEXT
Words will draw attention away from your faces.
TRANSITION LENSES
If you wear glasses every day, please wear them in your shoot! However, lens glare and shaded lenses will keep your eyes from being seen. You can have anti-reflective coating added to your lenses or wear just the frames.
HOLIDAY COLORS
Even if you’re planning to use these images for your holiday cards, steer away from holiday-colored clothing and let your card design incorporate those instead. That way you’ll be able to enjoy your images year-round!
CHEAT SHEET
MOM
SAY YES TO:
maxi & midi dresses
fitted tops tucked into long skirts
A-line dresses/coats
skinny jeans
tunic-length shirts, either fitted or flowy
cardigan/blazer over fitted shirt
scarves
ankle boots
riding boots
SAY NO TO:
very dark colors like black and dark navy
strapless/sleeveless tops and dresses (unless you love your arms)
heels (hard to play in – if you decide to wear them, stick to chunky heels or ankle boots)
dresses above knee-length (hard to play with the kids and keep it pulled down)
short shirts + low-cut jeans (same thing)
stripes and plaid
low-cut shirts
baggy clothes (fitted is generally more flattering)
very chunky knits (they can make you look larger than you are)
cheap/flimsy fabrics
necklaces (hard to keep in place – earrings are a safer bet)
DAD
SAY YES TO:
shirts designed to be worn un-tucked (it’s really hard to keep shirts tucked in when you’re playing with your kids)
blazers
chino pants/shorts
button-downs with sleeves rolled up to elbows
sweaters layered over collared shirts, especially if they’re textured (think chunky knits)
slim-fit jeans
leather shoes/boots, boat shoes, Converse & Vans
cardigans
SAY NO TO:
short-sleeved polos (instead try short-sleeved button-downs)
small prints like plaid and stripes – solids are a better choice
formal button-down shirts – keep it more casual with untucked button-downs & relaxed fabrics
baggy shorts/pants
athletic shoes
cargo shorts
white t-shirts and shirts
undershirts that show
phones/wallets in pockets
GIRLS
SAY YES TO:
everything listed for mom, plus these optional accessories: headbands, hats, bows, rain boots, tights
SAY NO TO:
visible diaper/underwear (try shorts or bloomers under dresses), neon, athletic shoes or character shoes
BOYS
SAY YES TO:
everything listed for dad, plus these optional accessories: suspenders, bowtie, caps, high-top sneakers/Vans
SAY NO TO:
tank tops, neon, shirts that have to stay tucked in (look for shirts designed to be worn untucked), visible diaper, athletic shoes or character shoes (Disney, etc.),
Source: http://www.katelphotography.com/what-to-wear-family-photos/
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