What to wear!
So you've booked your photo session with your favorite photographer. You have the date, location, time, and photo package all decided and set. Now, the task of figuring out what to wear! This can be a very stressful task for most, but it doesn't need to be. While you will definitely want to consider some aspects of the shoot such as the type of location when deciding on wardrobe choices, my #1 tip is to not overthink it. And if things become too overwhelming, reach out to your photographer. We are here to help you every step of the way.
don't match, coordinate
Start with an outfit that you love and feel good in, then base everyone else's outfit off of yours. This gives you a starting point with style and colors as well as ensuring you feel amazing during your shoot. You want to compliment each other's outfits by choosing colors and styles that work well together. I find that if everyone is wearing the same clothing (e.g. khakis and white shirts) , people will tend to blend in together and there will be a lack of pop and life to the images. The only exception to this rule would be with young children. Young, toddler siblings for example are adorable in matching dresses or khakis and suspenders, and it doesn't distract from the image as it would with older children and adults.
choose a color palette
Pick a palette of 4 to 5 colors. Let this be your starting point. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Muted tones (not bright) look beautiful together in a family picture. Bright, neon colors tend to reflect off the skin creating an unflattering skin tone. Bright colors also tend to be distracting compared to the rest of the group. Everyone in the family can express their individual sense of style within your chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
Choosing patterns/textures
Choose a mixture of patterns and solids. When picking patterns, choose smaller prints that won't pull attention away from others within the group. Use patterns sparingly with only 2 or 3 individuals in the group to prevent the group from looking too "busy". For example if Mom is wearing a full length dress with print, we do not want to put another person in a full length printed outfit. Keep it to a printed shirt with solid pants or a printed skirt with solid shirt. Mix it up. When thinking about texture, choose a variety that will give the images some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, and knits.
fit your style to your location
Always keep your photo shoot location in mind when choosing your outfit. If your session is happening in a city session such as downtown, dress up a bit to match the bustling city vibe. If you've chosen a more natural environment such as the beach or a park, choose something a bit more casual and flowing like a maxi dress and opt for more casual footwear such as flat sandals, boots, or even barefoot for beach settings.
avoid logos
Needless to say, your photos will outlast your current obsession with your favorite sports team sweatshirt or nike baseball cap. So I highly recommend not wearing clothes with logos, brands, cartoons, or public figures. These are very distracting and we want to focus on the individuals in the photos. This goes for children as well. We want to focus on their smiling faces and not be distracted by their favorite MICKEY t-shirt 5 inches below their face. We want these photos to be timeless so we can look back on them for years to come and enjoy these moments with each other, not memorialize the current Disney movie.
