What to Wear to Your Family Photography Session
As Winter winds down, and we begin thinking about the warmer weather and longer days, family photography season is also on the horizon.
If you have a family photography session scheduled, you are likely excited and anxious to make sure everything goes smoothly. The question I get asked the most by the families I work with is “what should we wear?” While I do not style my families, I am always happy to help with any questions.
It can be difficult and stressful for busy families to find time to coordinate wardrobe. You are investing in timeless photos, after all, so looking your best is important.
Here are some helpful tips and guidelines to simplify this process so you can easily look and feel your best for your upcoming photo session.
Confidence and Comfort
The most important thing to consider when choosing your wardrobe is confidence and comfort. Wear something that makes you feel good. If you wear something that makes you feel less than stellar, it will affect your body language and show up in your images. Choose a wardrobe that makes everyone feel and look their best while aligning with your personal style.
Style
Dress in clothes that best match your family’s unique style. If you normally wear more casual clothes, wear clothes that match that style. If your family tends to be more dressy, dress up. Staying true to your authentic style is best for lifestyle photography. If your daughter hates dresses and bows, don’t make her wear a dress and bow. If your son hates sweaters and dress pants, let him wear khakis or jeans and a polo. Don’t overthink it. You can stay true to any style and still look nice and put together.
Coordinating Colors and Patterns
Your wardrobe does not have to match. I recommend choosing coordinating colors and dressing everyone in a way that flows together. Choose a color pallet that matches the aesthetic you are going for. For example, pastels give a more summery and dreamy vibe and earthy tones provide a more natural and organic look.
Location can affect your color scheme, but no matter where your session is, you cannot go wrong with neutral colors such as beige, white, muted earthy colors and subtle pastels.
Textures are a great way to elevate an outfit (think linen and denim). Avoid having everyone in different patterns and textures. This can be distracting to the eye. Having one person in a pattern is a great way to break up the solid colors.
Lastly, stay away from fluorescent colors and neons, these colors will cast onto your skin tones.
Fit and Shape
Make sure the wardrobe you choose fits. Don’t squeeze your child into something they outgrew or put them in that sweater you bought a little too big so it would fit into next season. Rolled sleeves or clothing that is too tight or too big will not look good.
Also consider the flow and drape of the outfits you choose. Avoid wearing bulky coats and vests or dresses and shirts that take away from the natural shape of your body. If you choose something that has an oversized fit, a belt is a great option to hug in the fabric and bring back in the natural body shape.
Flowy dresses will bring in a whimsical and romantic feel to your photos while form fitting clothes will provide a more chic and tailored aesthetic.
What About Shoes?
Shoes are an important part of wardrobe selection. The key to choosing shoes is to think about how the shoes you choose look with the outfits selected while remembering that comfort is priority. In the spring and summer, I suggest sandals or clogs in natural colors or barefoot if your location will allow. In the colder months, I suggest boots or shoes in one neutral color such as brown, tan or gray. If everyone is wearing muted, earthy, solid colors, shoes could also be used to incorporate a pop of color. Lastly, remember to choose socks that are natural and muted. Be sure to check that your child hasn’t thrown on a pair of “crazy” or bright socks under their shoes.
Where to Start
Moms, start with yourself first! Go buy yourself something new or pick out your favorite outfit in your closet. Choose something that makes you feel beautiful, empowered, and confident then build the rest of the family’s outfits around yours.
Notes on Accessories
Accessories are a great way to bring in personal style or pops of color. Remember to consider the overall look you are going with when choosing accessories. For example, don’t wear an Apple Watch or Garmin with your flowy, nice dress.
If you normally wear a watch and don’t plan on wearing it at your photo session, be sure to rotate which wrist you wear your watch on each day leading up to your session so you don’t have tan lines from your watch.
Remember to empty pockets of phones, chapstick, etc.
Read how to shift your perspective for an stress-free photography session here.
