Looking your best
Everyone likes to look their best. Especially in family photo's that will probably be on the walls of your house for many years in the future. I can tell you, I wish someone sent my mom a style guide before we did family photo's! I look at some of the pictures now and cringe at our outfit choices. (But also maybe because I was an awkward teenager with braces too haha) I want all my clients to look and feel their best during our session. This is why I am writing this guide. It will cover a variety of different types of sessions, (senior, family, engagement etc.) so feel free to skip to the section that pertains to you. I hope this helps you choose outfits that make you look and feel good!
Dress up!
Getting your pictures taken is a great excuse to dress up and look nice! For many people, this is the first time in a while they have had family pictures taken. Pull out your favorite dress and shoes, put on those slacks and a button down shirt. You want to look at these pictures and remember how you were feeling that day. No one wants to look back at the pictures that they spent money on and regret their outfit choices.
Coordinate, dont match
My advice is to choose 3-4 neutral colors as a base, and have everyone use these colors to coordinate their outfit. Think of the location that we will be shooting at. Is it a beach? Maybe go for some soft and light colors. Are you getting pictures taken in a woodsy area? Maybe go for some darker colors. Not only should you coordinate colors to each other, but also to your location and season. Keep reading for some of my personal suggestions!
Fall
- Maroon and brown
- Cream, navy, tan
- Denim, red and yellow
Winter
- Red and navy
- Red, tan, blue
- Grey, black, red
Spring
- White and blush
- White, tan, light blue
- White, navy, yellow
Summer
- Teal and orange
- White and tan
- Green, yellow, blue
ditch the obnoxious patterns
Nothing is more distracting than seeing a photo with people wearing loud patterns, such as animal, flowers or faces for example. I want the focus of the pictures to be you, and not the patterns on your clothes. This doesn't mean you should not wear your flower dress or plaid shirt if you want. If you want to do that, keep it simple by not wearing as many accessories. It's all about balance. Maybe only choose one family member to be wearing a print to prevent distractions in your photos.
Avoid super bright colors
Avoid things such as neon colors, which same as patterns, can cause a distraction in your photos. These colors tend to drastically change when editing as well and can make your photo's not true to color.
Help flatter your body type
Try to stay away from clothes that are oversized or super tight on your body. These make for unflattering photo's, and don't help you to look like your best self.
Be aware of horizontal stripes
Clothes with horizontal stripes can make a persons figure appear bigger in photos. This is why it is better to choose clothes with vertical lines which can make you look more slender and tall.
be comfortable
Wearing clothes that are comfortable for you will affect the overall mood and feel of your shoot. If people don't feel comfortable in the outfit they are wearing it will reflect in the pictures that I take.
Lastly: have fun!
Most important of all, just remember to have fun with this and your pictures will turn out great. Use my tips in this style guide to dress your family or yourself, and leave the posing, photography and editing to me. I promise you will be more than happy with the outcome!
