“What should we wear?”

 

Whenever a family books a portrait session with me, I can almost guarantee that this is the first question they’ll ask!  Well here is my answer for you!  It’s actually a two part answer:  what to wear, and what NOT to wear.  What NOT to wear may be just as important as what TO wear.  I’m including pictures to give you a better visual, I hope this helps!

 

 

 

Family Portraits: What Not To Wear

1) All members of your family do not have to wear a white shirt paired with khaki shorts/pants/capris.  I’m not entirely sure exactly when this standard evolved, and maybe this is only the mindset for families getting their pictures taken on a beach, but this seems to be a common tragedy.  Yes, everyone looks like they’re a cohesive unit because they are wearing the exact same articles of clothing, however the negative effect is that everyone looks….the same.  And my eyes just get so confused when they see these images, as if they aren’t really sure where to focus.  It’s hard to pick a focal point amongst all the khaki and monotone.

2) Having a theme in your family wardrobe choice is a nice idea, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to make Dad’s tie out of the same star-spangled material as the kids’ dresses.

3) Yes, you can have too much denim in one photo.  Easy on the denim.

4) Identical Hawaiian print should not even be an option.

 

Family Portraits: What To Wear

 

COORDINATION is the key word when planning your family wardrobe!  You want your outfits to coordinate, not to be confused with matching.  Colors and patterns that compliment each other without clashing.  A lot of people think they should stick with solid colors and avoid prints, but I don’t think that’s necessarily true.  I don’t see any problem with wearing a pattern, as long as it flatters your body type and isn’t so busy that it looks distracting next to hubby’s plaid shirt and your daughter’s polka dot skirt.  Pattern overload could turn into a bad thing.

 

 

The other important thing to keep in mind when choosing an outfit is that your personality should still come through!  Are you a casual, jeans-and-tshirt kind of family who never wear shoes?  Ok cool, then rock your jeans and tshirts and let’s have a casual, barefoot, fun family shoot!  Do you like wearing bright colors and funky accessories?  Then don’t be afraid to tie a fun scarf in your hair or wear that hot pink sweater!  Do you absolutely hate wearing high heels and your husband dreads the thought of putting on a tie?  Then why on earth would you think of dressing up in clothes that you don’t really like and aren’t comfortable in just because you think you have to dress all fancy to take family portraits?!  BE YOU!

 

 

 

 

I found this little nugget below on Pinterest, and it’s a FANTASTIC guide for picking out your outfits!  You can see that there is a basic earth tone theme with splashes of bright colors.  And there are multiple patterns going on – stripes and floral – but it coordinates without clashing.  This is a perfect palette for a fall session, I love it!

 

 

 

Found another great example, love these outfits! 

Did this help you any?  October is booked with all kinds of family sessions, I can’t wait to see your outfit choices!  You’ll all look fabulous, no doubt!