- Tis the season for holiday photos! One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “What should we wear?” And it’s a good one! Clothing can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photos. Whoever said everyone needs to match exactly for their family portraits was telling a big ol' fib. You don't all have to wear denim jeans and matching black shirts. Have fun with your clothes and wear something that you're comfortable in, express yourself.
- A few things to try to remember when choosing your wardrobe:
- • You can coordinate your clothes without being to "matchy-matchy." Try pulling from the same color palette and mixing it up a tad. Colors don't have to match, but they do need to go together. Clothing from the same color pallette or based on colors in one outfit tend to create a cohesive look without feeling too "matchy."
- • Solids are your friend for photography, I always tell clients to stay away from loud prints (i.e. Hawaiian prints) as they tend to take away from the image and can get distracting. Smaller patterns on part of an outfit look fine, but keep it to one or two people in your group. Patterns should compliment each other, not draw attention away from the main subject of the photo, you!
- • Layer, layer, layer!! Instead of everyone wearing a solid color shirt, mix up the color by layering. This allows two people standing next to each other not to blend in and adds a lot of dimension to the photograph.
- • Texture, it goes a long way and can add a ton to the ensemble.
- • Accessorize. Think scarves, jewelry, hair accessories, belts, hats, beanies for the little ones, and maybe even a tutu for your little darling. Mix it up and give yourself some options. Miss Priss Tutus has lovely tutus and you can find amazing accessories on Etsy.
- • Dress the hardest person first. When doing a group photo (or even a couple's session) dress the hardest person first. Usually women have a harder time deciding on what to wear (hey, it's true!) so let her choose her outfit first. Now that you've got one person's clothing done, you can build the rest of the group's outfits.
- • No logos. There I said it. You shouldn't wear anything with a big logo or writing across your shirt.
- • Dress for the same party. You don’t want to have one person wearing a t-shirt, while someone else is wearing a cute dress. Everyone in the photo should be dressed on the same level. Either all casual or all dressed up.
- • Long sleeves are better than bare arms. This one applies to some... I often hear people saying they aren't huge fans of how their arms look in photographs. So if you might be one of those people then long sleeves are usually best. (and besides bare arms can distract from the beauty in your face.) Wear something that you are comfy in. If you are not at ease with how you look, this will show in your photographs.
- • Hands and feet. Often, we will take photos of details like hand-holding, rings, and even family feet. Remember to clean and trim nails before your session. (Ladies splurge on a mani/pedi and choose a color that you like.) For feet, if you have matching shoes or shoes in the same shade, that's a plus. Of course, bare feet are fab for those sandy beach sessions.
- • Keep in mind where you are going to be shooting. Most family and couples sessions are held on-location outdoors, so think about the setting. Think of life's natural colors. Example: if you're going to be outdoors at a park there will be a lot of green and yellow tones in the grass so try going with a complimentary color in the purple or blue family. (It will look great in the end result!) Need to peek at a color wheel? Then click here.
- Last but not least... wear your smile. Remember your photo session is your day, so have fun with it!
- Psst. Here are some ideas that I've put together in the past, enjoy!
