What to wear for family Photoshoots!
Hey Everyone!
As a photographer, one of the most common questions I get asked during the planning stages with my clients is "What should we wear?" Advice on what to wear on your photo shoot has most definitely changed over the years but in reality, anything goes nowadays! It's much easier to plan ahead of time with inspirational apps like Pinterest, or even Instagram! ...Easier said than done though, right? Take it from a professional "2nd guesser" that I completely understand the stress that goes with planning an outfit.. Let alone 5+ different outfits for the entire family! A daunting task to say the least..Well rest assured because we are going to learn something today!
#1 Choose your palette first
Pick a palette of 3-4 colors. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
#2 COORDINATE
Now this doesn’t mean everyone has to 100% match with khaki pants or jeans and a white shirt! BUT if that's who you guys are as a family unit, by all means, be Y O U! Generally speaking though, you want to complement each other’s outfits. Choose colors that work well together. Sometimes if everyone is wearing the same clothing, people will all tend to blend in together.
#3 TRY 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.
#4 LAYERING
One of my favorite “tips” for clothing choices! In the Summer months, this may be more difficult to pull off but during all of the other seasons, definitely layer your outfits. Not only will it provide more visual interest in each photo but it will also allow a lot more variety in your shots and poses. Get more bang for you buck! Throw on a little sweater or jacket maybe even a hat and you have entirely different look without completely changing your outfit!
#5 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, consider dressing up a bit with a pair of cute heels and a fancier dress then you’d normally wear to match the busy 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.
#6 KEEP MAKEUP NATURAL
You will want to avoid using very heavy makeup, but a bit of color on your lips, eyes, and cheeks will help bring you to life in photos. Be sure to bring some lip gloss with you as well for touch ups as there may be lots of smooches in store from your partner and little ones!
#7 BE TIMELESS
For some fashionista’s, this may be a difficult concept, however you are going to want these images to stand the test of time. Pick outfits that aren’t considered too trendy, but will be able to be enjoyed and displayed for many years to come.
#8 PLAN AHEAD
Make sure you have given yourself enough time to think about all of the details of your session. Plan ahead so that #1 you can truly think about your photos and everything you want out of the session, #2 you aren’t rushing and stressing out right before your session, and #3 if you have decided to go for a new look for your session or someone gets a bad haircut, you still have time to fix things if you need to.
#9 Shop at the same store
Make coordinating family photo outfits easy by shopping at the same store or sticking with the same brand. It’s especially helpful when there are multiple children to dress. When you find an outfit you love, take that to your favorite place to shop for your kiddos. That way, it’s easier to get matching outfits and you won’t find yourself running around like crazy to multiple stores.
#10 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.
My last and most important tip.. You want to be sure you're comfortable and confident during your session and your clothes can make all the difference in the world! Don't ever hesitate to reach out to your photographer about concerns you may have regarding your clothes. Also, at JayNicole Photography, we're here to help! If you feel your outfit selection is lacking, we're more than happy to help in any way we can.
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