Ah, the age old question – ‘What should I wear?’
We know that choosing outfits for a portrait session can be an overwhelming task, especially when planning for multiple family members. We’re here to help! We want to provide our clients with the best possible artwork and we also want them to have FUN during the session, so we encourage planning to eliminate stress and to make sure you look and feel your best during your session!
Accessories are fun and can add personality, and props that coincide with a theme or location add a layer of depth. Hats, necklaces, headbands, suspenders… these great showing style and can tie outfits together as well. Roller blades and ice cream cones can set the scene for the summer session. Coffee and blankets for a fall session create feeling of warmth. Props help paint a more complete picture, can keep things from being too pose-y, and can also make sessions more enjoyable.
(scroll down for more tips!)
Tip #5 | Avoid Character Tees and Large Logos
Your little one may love Dora, but you aren’t necessarily going to want her in your family photos. Character tees can be very distracting to the eye and can date an image (for instance… is Dora still relevant?). Same goes for large logos like a big Nike Swoosh! It’s best to avoid logos that will date your image!
Tip #6 | Location
Consider your location when planning your outfits for the session. Are you going to be out in nature? Yellow or blue really pop in a beautiful way when surrounded with greenery. Cityscape? A nice floral pattern or pastel shade looks great with clean, muted architecture. If you’re from St. Louis, you are aware of the abundance of red brick buildings around. Blue and green pop wonderfully against those red shades. If you’re planning an in-home lifestyle session, it would make sense to be more casual with your clothing choices!
Tip #7 | Seasons
This probably goes without saying, but embracing the season of your family session can help with planning your outfits and telling a story throughout the images. Scarves, knit hats, gloves, and nice coats make winter photos feel cozy. Flannels, jackets, hats, and boots are fun for fall. Flowy dresses, floppy hats, and sunglasses look great in the summer. Rainy spring day?! Rain coats, rain boots, and umbrellas can make for adorable family photos.
Tip # 8 | LARGE Families
It’s time to update your family photo… and by family, you mean your entire family tree. How are you supposed to coordinate what everyone will wear? Are you supposed to tell other adults what to wear and how to dress their children?
*take a deep breath!, we got you!*
Decide on an easy color palette for everyone – such as navy and tan with pops of an accent color, such as yellow. Have each subgroup focus on the tone of those colors by mixing up the shades that they choose within that color range. Tell people to feel free to mix in a pattern or two within their group if it fits their style. Telling them to mix in textures and layers, such as jackets and sweaters, will also keep the large group from matching too much and will give a more styled vibe. Pops of an accent color will work wonders when added into accessories (like scarves or vests), patterns (such as plaid or stripes), and when used sparingly as solid colored tops (worn by a member or two from each smaller group within the large group).
We hope you find these tips useful and also encourage you to reach out if you need any help with outfit planning! The most important thing is to have fun and connect with your family! Our ultimate goal is to capture some authentic moments and by being prepared and feeling good about the way you are dressed, you will be able to relax and let those moments happen more easily!
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