FAMILY:
Deciding what family photo outfits to wear can be just as challenging as finding the perfect photographer. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and cherish for years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn’t need to be.
Whether you are looking for fall family photo outfits or beach family picture outfits use these tips to help you pick out the perfect outfits for you and your family.
Coordinating colors not matching
Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Please don’t have to have everyone buy a white shirt and jeans. Allow personalities to shine with colors and patterns. Pick a couple of colors and choose clothes that will fit in this color scheme.
Look at your home decor
This may seem odd. What does your home decor have to do with family picture outfits? A lot actually.
Do you like bright colors? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colors of your clothes go with the color scheme of your home.
Walk around your home and think about where will you display these photos? If they are going in the living room look at the colors in there. Do you have bright decorative pillows or more of a neutral palette?
Don’t forget accessories to go with your family picture outfits
Accessories not only add to your outfit, but they can be fun to use in photos. Remember the idea is not to create these perfect photos. Family photos are a time to capture who your family is at that time. Consider some of the following, a fun scarf, cute coat, or stylish hat, ties, jewelry, shoes and so much more. The possibilities are endless.
Limit patterns
Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colors in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image. Consider picking one outfit for your family photos that has a lot of colors or fun pattern. Choose that outfit first. This gives you plenty of colors to choose from to pick your coordinating colors.
Look for clothing collections
When shopping for clothes for my kids, I head to stores that typically have color coordinating collections. (ie: Target, Old navy, H&M) You can then purchase clothes for all the children from one store. Don’t be afraid to lay all the clothes on the floor of the store to see what they will look like together.
Plan ahead for your family photo outfits
Once you book your session, start thinking what to wear for family photos right away. You may think certain clothes will fit your kids or that one dress is clean. If you wait until the day of or day before you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting, being dirty or need to be dry cleaned. Consider the weather also when choosing these outfits, depending on the time of year, our weather can be very unpredictable. A cold child is not a happy child, so possibly bringing a sweater or jean jacket to go along as well.
Say no to characters
Yes, your little one may love their Toy Story shirt, but you may want to skip it for the family photo session. Just like patterns, characters on shirts can be pretty distracting. Characters, like too many patterns, can make your photo look too busy. Also remember this with men's logo shirts.
Textures are your friend
I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs I like to add textures like scarves or belts to add a little more to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures.
By adding different textures through the material of your family outfits or your accessories you are adding depth and interest to your photos.
Consider your background
Depending on whether or not you chose the studio or an on-location session, keep in mind the scenery of your choice. For example: Beach - sandles, shorts, sundresses, hats. Cooler tones like blues & greens and even adding in pops of coral.
Think classic for what to wear in family photos
These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosing simple, classic clothes you will help give your images a timeless feel.
I hope this was really helpful, but if you are still very stuck... don't hesitate to ask for help. I don't even mind if you text me with photos of what you have : )
Maternity: Styles Perfect to Highlight your Bump
The Maxi Dress
Maxi dresses not only photograph beautifully, but they are also super comfortable. A long dress will give you lots of options to show off your bump and help create gorgeous movement in the photos.
Form Fitting Clothing
A pregnant body should be celebrated and what better way to show off those gorgeous curves than a tight bodycon style dress. Tight clothing that really defines your bump is a great way to pay tribute to your pregnant self.
Solid Colors
You and your bump are the stars of these photos and for should take center stage. Prints and patterns can be overwhelming in photos. If you feel like solid colors are too boring, bring in some bold accessories. A necklace or scarf can add in some fun without being overly distracting.
Textured Clothing
Choosing an outfit with texture is a great way to add dimension to your shoot without the clothing being too overwhelming in the photos. Lace is a wonderful option that photographs stunning and very feminine. A knit is another great option to add texture to photos. Either way, textured clothing will create more interesting and beautiful photos. It is a great alternative to a print or a pattern.
Have 2 Outfits
If you are undecided about what to wear, then have two looks prepared for your maternity session, such as a casual outfit and a dressier option. This will give you more of a variety of photos to use for your announcements, gifts, timeless heirlooms to hang in your home.
Outfit Choices for Partner and Children
If you choose to include your partner or children in your session, always pick your outfit first and theirs second to compliment your look. Neutral solid colors are the best choice. However, adding a pop of color with accessories is a great way to tie everyone in the photo together.
Comfort Is Still Important
Of course, you want to look perfect in your photos, but don’t torture yourself by picking uncomfortable clothing, shoes, or pieces inappropriate for the weather. Your comfort and joy will show through in your photos and help make the photoshoot experience as fun and memorable as the actual photos.
Consider Clothing Color for Outside Locations
Choose your outfits based on the season and location. Softer hues look amazing in spring/summer. Colors like white/ivory, blush pink, and baby blues complement the warmer weather. For cooler months, you can opt for more fall/winter colors such as red wine, mustard yellow, and green. Picking your colors based on the season will help create a beautiful contrast with the landscape.
Think Timeless
Stay away from too trendy-of-a-look in clothing, makeup, and hair. These can easily date the photos. Let your bump be the star for capturing and remembering this beautiful moment in time.
If you are interested, we offer a bunch of maternity gowns in our client closet for clients to use for their session, please let us know if you'd like to come in and try on a few!! I hope this was really helpful, but if you are still very stuck... don't hesitate to ask for help. I don't even mind if you text me with photos of what you have : )
Engagement Photos:
Stumped on what to wear for your engagement photos? You're not alone. As these sentimental images will appear on everything from your save-the-dates and wedding website to the walls of your first home, it's important to put together looks that feel 100 percent you.
1. Wear Clothes That Make You Feel Like You
If you're strictly a T-shirt and jeans kind of couple, now's not the time to pull out a beaded ball gown and tux. You should feel comfortable in the outfits you choose. You should still look like yourselves, but at your best. Wardrobe choices that are extremely outside your level of comfort will make you look and feel awkward in photos.
2. Complement Each Other, But Don't Match
Complementing your partner's look is one thing, but matching outfits and patterned prints aren't ideal for portrait sessions. When deciding how you and your partner will dress, look for complementary colors and solid prints. Try to stay away from anything too busy, as it can be an unnecessary distraction in photos.
3. Choose Pastels, Cool Colors, and Neutral Tones
You'll want to avoid anything neon, lest you'll end up looking like a hot, blinking sign. I also find orange is the least photogenic color, while red is the color your eye is drawn to immediately—and you don't necessarily want your shirt or skirt to be the focus of your photograph. You want your faces and the love between you to stand out.
4. Tie Everything Together with a Color Scheme
Once you have an idea of what colors you'll be wearing in your engagement shoot, consider how that color will translate throughout the entire album. You want to create synergy, rather than have the final result look like a jumbled collection of images. For example, if you love light blue, you can wear this as a dress or a jumpsuit. Then have your partner incorporate the same hue in a later look during the shoot to tie everything together without being overly matchy-matchy.
5. Incorporate at Least One Accessory
Accessories, such as a stylish scarf or chunky necklace, can lend oomph to any engagement look. Plus, they're easy to slip on and off, which means you'll be able to style a variety of looks. Adding in at least one accessory per outfit for the ladies, and wearing layers of clothing for the guys, are two things that photograph well because it adds more visual interest to their looks and, as a result, to the images.
6. Opt for Classic Rather Than Trendy Looks
You may love that black-and-white maxi dress now, but next year you may only be reminded of a referee when you see yourself in head-to-toe stripes. I always recommend looks that will remain timeless, rather than outfits that could make your images feel dated a few years down the road.
7. Stick with Two Outfits
Don't fall victim to treating your engagement session as a full-fledged fashion photo shoot. You're going to have a million wedding photos where you're all dolled up and looking gorgeous. These are the pictures where you get to remember who you are at the end of the day when it's only the two of you. Two outfits are more than enough to reflect this in couples, and it ensures you won't spend your entire engagement session in a rush to change into the next set of clothes.
8. Garner Inspiration from Throwback Photos
Browse through old photos of you and your partner together, as well as individually. Now pick out the absolute best aspects of those pictures (perhaps, it's a pose you love or a gorgeous backdrop) and create a mood board on Pinterest to start planning the direction of your engagement shoot. Seeing what makes sense and what you're into will help give you some guidance. Do you go hiking or camping a lot? Do you love long walks on the beach? Are you attending baseball games together? Tell us and we can help bring these things to life in your session.
9. Create Visual Interest with Unexpected Pairings
Attention-grabbing fabrics (think: lace, knit leather, etc.) into a couple's engagement session outfits. These elements add a ton of visual texture, which in turn brings more warmth to your images. Plus, they'll work well with whatever scenery you decide on.
10. Use a Rental Subscription
On a budget, but want to snag a designer wardrobe? We get it. These photos are meant to last the test of time, and your engagement is deemed special enough of an occasion to warrant the purchase of a gorgeous designer piece. If you're really just buying the piece for the photoshoot, however, you might consider renting from a site/subscription service like Rent the Runway or Le Tote. Both options make it easy (and more affordable) to access high-end looks that you may only wear once.
11. Think About the Season
Bikinis won't work for a winter engagement session lol, and a cowl neck scarf doesn't work in the summer. Take advantage of the season you're in by styling a look that's in tune with the climate and location.
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