What to wear for your family photos
You’ve been contemplating getting family photos done for a while now and decided not to put it off any longer! Your little ones (or not so little ones) are growing so fast and you don’t want to regret not capturing these special memories!
Fall is the most popular time to get that family photo session that you’ve been wanting! Not only is the weather cooler and more cooperative, but there are gorgeous fall leaves to accompany it!
Want to what to wear for your family photos? Well here is what I would suggest!
You can also check out my family portrait portfolio here.
Step-By-Step Guide To Choosing Your Outfits
Here is a quick step-by-step guide to our top tips and best advice as you choose your outfits!
1. CHOOSE THE LOCATION.
Before you even consider what outfits you want to wear, talk to your photographer about location options and what you most prefer. Will you have a casual beach session or will you be dressed up downtown? Your location actually matters a lot as you choose your outfits. Consider the vibe you are going for first as you select your outfits and then work with your photographer to choose a suitable location.
2. START WITH MOM’S OUTFIT.
It can be hard to know where to begin but think of it as building blocks. Start with one outfit and then you can build upon that. My recommendation is to start with mom (or daughter), since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints. And let’s be honest, we are pickier about how we look, and moms are typically pulling the outfits together anyways.
My best advice is for you to wear a dress in your favorite color. Not only dress flattering, but you will feel good in it. If you hate dresses, think about a skirt/top combo, but choose something that is slightly dressier than your everyday look. Opt for high-quality fabrics (not t-shirt material) because they hang better.
3. CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE.
After you’ve chosen mom’s outfit, think about 2-3 coordinating colors, some neutral and one of which pops and brings life to the outfits. I’ve created a Pinterest board with fall family photo outfit ideas! Go check it out!
Also, the color palette you choose will affect your appearance and the overall look of your photo. Warmer colors like peach, cream, brown, will give your photos a soft glowing look, while bold and vivid colors will produce a brighter and sharper appearance.
4. THINK MUTED COLORS.
Avoid overly saturated and bold colors, as they distract in the photo. Look for MUTED versions of the same color. For example, if you have a bright hot pink shirt, try a muted dusty rose instead.
5. COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH.
Gone are the days when everyone wears matching white polos and khakis for family photos on the beach. Choose colors that complement each other but are not overly matchy-matchy. For example, avoid wearing the same color top as your spouse or putting your girls in the same matching dresses.
After mom’s outfit is chosen, begin to find 2-3 coordinating colors that complement.
6. ADD VARIETY WITH SUBTLE PATTERNS.
They say that variety is the spice of life right? To add depth and interest to your photos, create dimension by having primarily solids with a few coordinating subtle patterns and textures. Patterns are great in small doses and add a lot of your photo. Avoid bold, large prints that can distract from the photo though. You want your family photos to be about you and not merely your outfits.
Layers are another way to add variety with cardigans, shawls, scarves, etc.
Overall Tips
Here are some overall tips you can use for your fall family portrait session
COMFORT
Most importantly, you want to feel comfortable in what you wear. You don’t want an outfit that keeps shifting out of place or falling down. Choose clothing that allows you to play with your kids, move freely, and feels good on you. For guys, this means that shirts that look well untucked are usually better since you will be playing and moving around with your kids and you don’t want to have to keep tucking in your shirt.
ACCESSORIZE
Don’t forget earrings, bracelets, hats, or other accessories that help complete your outfit! Ladies, please avoid necklaces as they have a hard time staying in place and can get tangled up in those cuddle and tickle moments with your kids.
TEXTURE
The texture is a striking feature and adds great dimension to your photos and helps them stand out. Examples of texture include chambray, faux fur, chunky knits, lace, tweed, wool, etc.
MAKEUP
Apply your makeup in natural light so that you know how it will look for outdoor photos. Apply just a little bit more than you usually would and make sure to blend the foundation well with your neck. Stay away from nude lipsticks as they wash you out, but do make sure to wear lip gloss (chapstick for everyone in the family so they don’t have the dry lip look). If you’re comfortable with it, help your eyes pop with natural-length fake eyelashes.
What to Avoid When Planning Your Portrait Session
Here are some things to avoid when planning your portrait session
- OVERSIZED CLOTHING
- THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS
- FORMALWEAR
- MEN’S SHORTS
- BRIGHT WHITE
- BOLD AND DARK COLORS
- NEON COLORS
- LOGOS
- STRAPLESS/SLEEVELESS TOPS
- UNDERSHIRTS
- ATHLETIC SHOES
- LOW-CUT AND OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS
- BABY OUTFITS WITH DIAPERS PEEKING OUT