You finally got around to booking your family photo session. So now comes the fun part... figuring out what everyone is going to wear. You want your photos to be exactly what you have in mind and choosing your clothing is a big part of achieving the portraits you imagine. I know choosing your wardrobes can be daunting. So many colors, so many options. Should we all match or what? Should we all wear the same colors? Should we be casual or more dressy? I am going to try and simplify it as much as possible and hopefully take some of the stress away.
The first thing to consider when deciding what to wear is the location of your photo shoot. You should try and choose clothing to complement your location. After all, location is as much a part of your portrait as the people in it. If your shoot is going to be outdoor in a rural setting such as a field or farm, you might want to go with a more casual look for everyone such as jeans or casual dress. Suit jackets and formal attire would not be appropriate. However, if your shoot is downtown or in a more elegant location such as a hotel or art studio, then a more dressy approach would be warranted.
The next thing to think about is what do you plan to do with these photos? Will they be displayed in your home? If you plan to hang your images on your walls of your home you are going to want to consider the color palete that would most coordinate with your home's decor or color theme. Neutral colors such as brown, white, tans, and beige are always a safe bet. You can also choose colors that will complement your home decor by adding colors that you already use in your home.
When coordinating clothing for multiple family members, remember to keep it simple. Try not to over-think it. Everyone in the same color is generally not a good idea, but finding complementary colors is a GREAT idea. Mixing solid colors with patterns with coordinating colors helps to pull everyone together. For instance, a toddler in bold, colorful, floral pattern is a great jumping off point to coordinate the entire family. Other siblings in solid colors or even a muted pattern within the same color scheme is nice. Then add maybe a second bold color pop with Dad's shirt and finish with a muted patterned dress for mom in coordinating colors to complete the look. To start, choose a patterned outfit for one member of the group and use that color scheme to choose outfits for the other members, making sure to keep to the same color palette. Add some layers and different textures to the mix. Sometimes shopping for everyone at the same store can be helpful because they tend to carry coordinating colors and trends throughout the different departments.
The final thing to consider in what type or style clothing you should choose is comfort and the general aesthetic you are going for. Again, this depends on the location. I love long, flowy dresses for moms especially for a sunset shoot. I also like jeans for men. Tennis shoes, even on kids is not ideal. Think about the terrain where your photos will take place and what you might be doing in the photos before you wear really high heels. Short dresses will make it harder for posing in seated positions and can be less flattering. Try to avoid any obvious logos that might show in photos. Typically these can be photoshopped out if it's small, but a character tee shirt or large logo on a kid's shirt is very distracting. Lastly, make sure you dress comfortably in well-fitting clothing. If you feel uncomfortable or that your clothing feels too tight or obstructive, it likely won't look flattering in photos. We want you to feel confident in your clothing so that it will show in the photos. If you have any question about your outfit choice, I'm always available and would love to help you choose!
Take-Aways
1. Complementary colors but not all the same colors. Build a palette around a pattern that you choose first.
2. Make sure the colors you choose will work for what you are planning to use the photos for
3. Neutrals are always good
4. Comfortable clothing is a plus, consider dress length for more versatility in posing
5. Make sure your clothing matches the location
6. No tennis shoes, or logo clothing
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