One of the most frequently asked questions I get is “what should we wear for our family photos?” I love this question because it’s something so key in creating beautiful, timeless photos for the families I work with. I’ve learned a lot over the years of helping my families style their photoshoots and I want to share 7 tips from what I’ve learned with you!
1. GO FOR CLASSICS
Your family pictures will be enjoyed for many years to come. Hopefully they will be passed down to your children and grand children someday. Crazy to think about it that way, right? To avoid having your family portrait look outdated when next season’s fashion and color trends change, lean toward more classic styles.
2. Start with mom
If not mom, start with one outfit. The first step in creating a cohesive look for the family is to begin with one outfit and work around it and moms- this should be you!
Pick an outfit that makes you feel amazing! I prefer dresses myself. Let’s celebrate the fact that you will be in these pictures. You will get to love on and play with your family and create amazing memories. As a mom, I know that this opportunity is rare - I am usually the one snapping away pictures. I am rarely in them, and this is your time to shine. When you feel amazing, it really does show in pictures.
Go shopping! Find something that you love. Something that makes you feel amazing! And enjoy!
3. CONSIDER YOUR HOME DECOR
This is something I didn’t think through until we printed our maternity photos for our son’s nursery and they happened to be in the same color palette as his room! I was so excited and decided to not leave it up to luck for the next time we had family photos taken for other rooms in the house.
Think through the feel throughout your home and what colors would go well where you’re planning on hanging them.
4. DON’T CHOP YOUR PICTURE IN HALF
This is one of the reasons dresses are my favorite for photos. They tend to be flattering on any body type and create a soft look of femininity. Also, wearing a dress helps to add variation to the overall image and avoid a strong horizontal line in your image. Imagine if everyone in your family wore a light colored top and dark pants. If I took a picture of your family standing up, there would be a visual line at your waist separating the top half of the portrait (light colored shirts) and bottom half of the photograph (dark pants). By having different colors on tops and bottoms as well as using a variety of styles (skirts, dresses, pants and shirts) you can avoid this dreaded horizontal line and create a much more interesting family portrait.
5. COMPLEMENT, DON’T MATCH
The days of all white shirts and khaki pants are over. We want colors that generally complement each other: so for instance, soft colors (light blue, gray, olive) or warm colors (brown, blush, 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.
6. 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 layers, vests, or sweaters. In the summer, dress in light clothing and breathable fabric.
7. SNAP A CELL PHONE PIC OF IT ALL TOGETHER
Lastly, when you think you have your outfits selected and ready to go, lay them all out together and take a quick cell phone picture of it. When you look at the picture, do you love it? Do you see anything that needs to change? It’s funny how a picture can often show us little issues. Maybe there is too much of one color. Or one little splash of blush that needs to be tied into other outfits. This allows you to make small tweaks or changes before your big day!
Some of my favorite blends of neutral and fall colors. This family coordinated so well without matching!
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.
Here are some of my favorite colors that photograph well and look great for fall family photos.
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
Remember these photos may be memories you show your children as they get older. To avoid looking too outdated, stick with classic colors, styles, and themes.
I hope this was helpful for you as you plan your fall family photo session! Please reach out with any other questions you may have!
Gratefully, Whitney