Feeling a little indecisive about choosing outfits for your family photos?  Here are some tips to help you select outfits that make your family look their best.

1- CONSIDER THE LOCATION.

Select clothing that fits the setting you have chosen for your shoot.  If your shoot is on the beach, maybe choose sandals over stiletto boots, and if your shoot is in a more formal setting, don’t hesitate to pull out the suit and dress and fancy it up.  Plaid looks great in a more rustic outdoorsy setting, and long, flowy dresses look beautiful on the beach. And if you’re shooting in a setting with vintage elements (like old trains or on train tracks), maybe put your little guy in suspenders or in an irish flat cap.

2- BUILD THE WARDROBE AROUND A FAVORITE CLOTHING PIECE.

Start with one piece of clothing that you LOVE, and build around that.  You can use the excuse to go shopping or pull out your favorite dress or sweater, and then select colors for the rest of the family that compliment your selected piece.  You don’t all need to be in the same color or color family, but choose colors that are complimentary and of a similar tone (ex: jewel tones,  pastels and denim, bold colors, greys and neutrals).

3- USE A MIX OF PRINTS AND SOLIDS.

Have at least one family member in a print (plaid, stripes, floral print, polka dots, etc).  As you can see in the examples here, printed clothing gives the images texture and dimension and solid colors pair really well with the prints and can pick up colors in the pattern to visually create cohesion and bring it all together. This is all true unless you are going for the 90’s family photo look with matching long sleeved white collared shirts on the beach with cuffed acid washed jeans. If that is the case, just make sure to get a perm and flat top 😉

4- CHOOSE CLOTHES THAT ARE REASONABLY COMFORTABLE.

Don’t underestimate the value of comfort. We like to capture natural interactions between you and your family in addition to the more styled portraits, so make sure your clothes aren’t restricting you from being able to move naturally.   If you feel great, you’ll look natural and at ease in the photos.

3- EXPRESS YOURSELF.

Accessories can add texture and give your look a little pop. Feel free to wear a scarf and let your kid bring their favorite hat. You can also have each family member wear something that reflects their own personal style. If your daughter loves wearing a tutu, bring it for a few photos! If she is more of a jeans and t-shirt girl, don’t feel like you have to put her in a dress.  The images we create are documenting who you are as a family so have fun with your style and show us who you are.