baby child family photography lincoln nebraska

CHOOSING OUTFITS FOR YOUR FAMILY PHOTO SESSION

For many families…ahem…moms, deciding what everyone will wear is the least favorite part of planning a photo session. If this is you, I completely understand. Choosing outfits for your session can seem like a daunting task, and at the very least, overwhelming! I am here to help. Clothing is a huge detail to consider as it’s a big factor in determining the style direction of your session. It’s important to choose clothing that not only suits your personal style and compliments your best features, but also suits the location you choose for your session and the area in your home that you plan to display your images.

Below you’ll find a few suggestions for how to create a cohesive look for your family portraits that you’ll love. Upon booking a session, all clients receive a link to the full “What to Wear Guide” as well as personalized styling advice, in the meantime, hopefully these styling tips serve as a starting point on how to pull together the perfect look for your session.

WHAT TO WEAR

Styling Tip #1

DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR YOUR SESSION LOCATION

When choosing your color palette, consider the surrounding colors of your location – the clothing you wear can compete with the “backdrop” if not considered. For example, bright pink wouldn’t look so great in front of a red brick wall urban setting just as you wouldn’t choose a black & gray color scheme, distressed jeans, and a leather jacket for a session in the long natural grasses.

When in doubt, solid colors or subtle patterns in neutral tones are a safe choice if you just aren’t sure!

WHAT TO WEAR

Styling Tip #2

CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE

Start with a color palette or specific piece of clothing with 3-4 colors and build outfits from a base item. The main rule of thumb for creating a cohesive look for family portraits is to choose items for the entire group as if you were creating one outfit. The goal is NOT to match exactly, but rather to create a coordinated look where any member of the family could be photographed together and still look great!

If you don’t have a specific item of clothing to build from, start by choosing outfits for the hardest family members to dress first and build from there.

WHAT TO WEAR

Styling Tip #3

WEAR SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD

Choose an outfit that is comfortable and makes you feel confident & pretty. If you feel like you’ll be tugging at your shirt the entire session, don’t wear it. If you aren’t normally a dress person, don’t wear a dress for your session. If you’re worried about a tummy roll (hey, we’ve all got ’em), choose a layering piece that we can position as needed.

If you don’t feel good in your outfit, you will not like the images. If you feel good in what you wear, it will shine through your expressions & interactions. I can work a whole lot of magic with posing and lighting but I cannot fix your clothing!

WHAT TO WEAR

Styling Tip #4

CREATE VISUAL INTEREST

Add visual interest with patterns, textures, layers and accessories. Denim, knits, lace, corduroy, chunky sweaters, flowy dresses, scarves, jewelry, etc. Mixing patterns among family members is okay – the secret to making it work is to pair a large scale pattern with a small scale pattern.

In this image, for example, the texture on the sweater adds visual interest more than a plain top would. A small polka pattern paired with mom’s larger floral pattern, and the linear plaid print makes for a perfect combo.

WHAT TO WEAR

Styling Tip #5

JUST SAY “NO” TO…

+  Avoid shiny athletic fabric for dads or boys – save them for sports, not your family portraits. (i.e Under Armour, the slight sheen to the fabric does not photograph well).

+  Save your tennis shoes for the gym.

+  Skip the character shirts. Nobody wants to look back 10 years from now to see an entire photo session in a Mickey Mouse shirt.

+  Re-think distracting logos and bold stripes. Be mindful of how they will photograph. Our goal to keep the focus on you & your beautiful connection, not what you are wearing. Clothing should enhance, not distract.