What To Wear On Your Family Photography Session
Planning multiple outfits for a family portrait session can be daunting! Choosing what to wear for a family photo shoot can trigger even the most confident fashionista to pull their entire wardrobe out onto the floor in search of the perfect outfit.
From coordinating colours to ensuring everyone looks their best, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Take a deep breath! I’m here to alleviate your worries and provide you with expert advice to help you and your family shine in your upcoming photographs.
Here are 10 key pieces of advice to help you navigate your outfit decisions…
No. 1: START WITH MUM!
Let’s face it ladies our wardrobe battles are often the most emotionally charged! We’ve had babies, our bodies have changed, we have “nothing to wear” and are still quietly hoping that one day we’ll squeeze back into our favourite jeans from 2010!
So be selfish. Choose your outfit first. Take your cue from the time of year and choose some comfortable and flattering, that makes you feel like the most confident version of you.
Authenticity is the name of the game, so don’t feel pressured to go out and buy something new if the idea causes you stress. Often something tried and tested is best. If you want to capture this time of your life in all its glory, then it’s about feeling comfortable in your own skin.
Once you’ve decided, let the style and colours of your outfit inform everyone else’s.
No. 2: COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH
Instead of everyone wearing identical outfits, aim for coordination. When multiple people wear the same colour, sometimes their matching outfits blend together so much that you can’t really see any of them properly. The viewer can’t tell where one person begins and another one ends!
Choose a colour palette consisting of complementary hues that tie your family's looks together without being overly matchy-matchy. For example having everyone dressed from head to toe in white doesn’t make for natural photographs and frankly, as a Mum myself, the potential for stains would frighten me!
Adopting a complimentary colour palette and using textures to add interest allows each family member to showcase their individual style while maintaining a cohesive overall appearance. It’s important that the outfits you choose allow everyone to feel like the best version of themselves!
No. 3: CONSIDER THE LOCATION & SEASON
Think about where and when your photo shoot will take place.
Dress accordingly to complement the setting and climate. You’re likely to be outdoors for a considerable amount of time, so make sure everyone is dressed to maintain a comfortable temperature. Light, airy fabrics and pastel colours work well for outdoor spring or summer shoots, while richer tones and cosy layers are ideal for autumn or winter sessions.
No. 4: BE CAREFUL WITH PATTERN & PRINTS
Avoid large bold patterns as they often dominate the photograph and detract attention from your beautiful face.
Usually, subtle smaller patterns work best. Flannels or a light floral print are great when they complement the location. But less is definitely more with this one, try to limit yourself to one pattern at a time. Matching patterns is a tricky task, and it’s super difficult to do well.
If you’re not quite sure what category your patterned clothes fall into, shoot me an email or send me a text and I’ll be happy to weigh in.
Oh and avoid bold logos please or writing on your clothes. They tend to date and can be distracting.
No. 5: PRIORITISE COMFORT
Comfort is key, especially for kids!
Opt for clothing that allows freedom of movement and won't cause discomfort or irritability. Avoid overly restrictive or scratchy fabrics and consider the weather conditions on the day to ensure everyone stays as comfortable as possible throughout the photography shoot.
No. 6: ADD TEXTURES & LAYERS
Incorporating texture and layers can add visual interest to your family's outfits and enhance the overall aesthetic of the photos.
Pick fabrics that move and flow with you. Ones that add a cosy texture, get picked up by the wind, filter the late afternoon sun or glow in the morning light. Natural fibres like linen, cotton, or wool are amazing. Avoid stiff-seeming garments with collars as they can look a bit too formal and often need adjusting.
Mix and match different fabrics to create depth and dimension. Layers not only look stylish but also provide versatility, allowing you to adjust for changing temperature and weather conditions.
No 7: PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS
Don't overlook the importance of small details. Now’s the time to find all those favourite accessories that hardly ever see the light of day.
Choose accessories which make sense for each family member’s character. Scarves, hats, sunglasses, statement jewellery or a fabulous lipstick can elevate an outfit and add personality to your photos. Be cautious if you have a watch with a large face, as it can draw the eye away from your faces becoming a distraction when capturing cosy cuddles.
Including sentimental items in your outfits, such as a meaningful piece of jewellery, will make the photographs all the more precious to you.
No 8: SHOES SHOES SHOES
If you wear heels like a pro, I definitely don’t have the authority to tell you not to do that! But if you, like the rest of us mere mortals, find heels to be moderately uncomfortable, then do yourself a favour and ditch ‘em. It’s likely we’ll be stomping around on some relatively uneven terrain at times and I don’t want you spraining an ankle on my watch. I’ll probably be giving you some energetic prompts to follow, too, so you’ll want to be ready for action.
Select the right shoes based on the location and consider what you’d normally wear if I wasn’t following you around with a camera. For instance being barefoot makes sense on the beach, whereas boots are beautiful in the mountains.
This last one is very important if you’re planning a family photography session at home! Please… no socks. Photographs captured at home should feel intimate and relaxed. You want to snuggle together on the sofa or play games on the floor and trust me, no matter how cool your socks are, your feet will look better. So schedule a pedicure ahead of time and be ready to whip them off on the day. Yes Dads, that includes you too!
No 9: HAIR AND MAKE UP
So this is totally your call! But, if I may… I would suggest cultivating a bit of the French je ne sais quoi that balances elegance and ease so well. I want you to look like you. So do whatever you need to do to feel confident and beautiful.
Hands tell such a story about who you are and where you’ve been and play a crucial role in portrait photography. Sometimes photographs magnify bright nail polish, chipped manicures and dirty fingernails. And once you see it, you can’t un-see it - your eye just keeps on zooming in on that one bit of the photograph. It’s really distracting. Treat yourself to a little subtle manicure or make sure your nails are neat and tidy before the shoot.
As for hair… I’m a sucker for the way a wild mane blows in the breeze. Up-dos are alright and I totally get that it’s so easy to throw your hair up and be done with it! But with your hair down, you get movement, you get interest, you get some perfect slices of imperfection in the best possible way.
No 10: CONSIDER BRINGING A BACKUP OUTIFT
Some of my clients say that having a second wardrobe option on the day puts their mind at ease. If that’s you or even if you have two different outfits expressing different sides of your personality that you know you want to be photographed in, then that is absolutely fine. We can play around with different combinations on the day. I want you to bring your full personality!
TO SUM UP…
Don’t overthink it, but take a little bit of time and have fun planning your outfits! I hope these ten key pieces of advice help you prepare your family for a joyful photography experience, where everyone feels like the most confident version of themselves.
Now you have your wardrobe sorted, you can relax and leave the rest to me.
Perhaps you haven’t booked your family portrait session yet and are interested to know more? Find out how you can invest in capturing your own family memories in style!
