Don’t match. Coordinate.
Erica Williams’ advice: “When choosing what to wear for photos, I remind my clients that they should coordinate rather than match. I instruct them to begin with the youngest person and dress and layer everyone else using colours from their clothing. In order to tie all the colours together, layering can be really helpful. I will put together a fashion board of outfit examples and let them know where to find the products if they still need assistance.
Highlight your best asset.
As Chanel French advises, “wearing something that highlights your best asset during your session will give you a boost of confidence throughout the shoot that will definitely show in your final images.”
Choose your color palette first.
Advice from Meghan Doll: “Choose a palette of 3–4 colours when choosing what to wear for pictures. Make this your point of departure. Consider colours in terms of their tones: pastels, earth tones, neutrals, blue tones, etc. Within the chosen colour scheme, each member of the family can exhibit their individual sense of style, and everyone will look gorgeous together.
Shop at the same store.
Jessie Nelson’s advice: “Shopping at the same store or brand will make it simple to coordinate family portrait attire. When there are several kids to dress, it is extremely useful. Just last spring, I went shopping at the Carter’s store after finding an outfit for myself. I found clothes for all three of my guys in fifteen minutes! The colours complemented one other as well as my clothing in terms of colour coordination.
Don’t forget about the shoes.
Meghan Doll offers this advice: “If your family isn’t the kind to enjoy going barefoot, make sure to keep your footwear in mind. An unclean pair of worn-out shoes will ruin your appearance more than anything.
Choose colors from your home.
Chloe Ramirez’s advice: “The comfort of your own home is where many of my family photo sessions take place. I advise my families to dress in a way that complements their residence. Is your house sombre and dark or light, bright, and airy? What hues do you use when decorating? Which fashion do you prefer? In order to further the timeless impression, I also advise individuals to wear clothing without logos and, if at all feasible, in muted colours.
Use the color wheel.
Leslie Crane offers this advice: “I love utilising the colour wheel to help my clients select what garments will look nice in the setting we’ve chosen for our photos. Most of the time, I scout the place in advance so I know what colours are available there and how I want to use the space. This may be a lot of fun for my seniors if they bring several different clothes. Using complementary colours is one of my favourite ways to use the colour wheel when choosing what to wear for pictures. Yellow and purple, for instance, are called complementary colours since they are precisely opposite one another on the colour wheel.I know my outcomes will be lovely if I employ those two colours (both in the setting and my client’s dress).
Look for complementary colors.
Advice from Meg Loeks: “My family lives in a rural place in the far north. We enjoy spending time outside, so it’s important to me to dress my sons simply so as not to detract from the natural beauty of our surroundings, but I also want them to stand out from the crowd. I constantly try to use hues and textures that will fit well with the surroundings.
Keep it simple and comfy.
Advice from Tarah Beaven: “I always suggest wearing cotton t-shirts, linen trousers, no shoes and loose and comfy attire for at-home newborn sessions or family portraits, which are typically photographed on the huge bed. The images are kept basic and soft with the focus on the connection and emotion between people by remaining neutral in a bedroom scene. Also, don’t overlook the bedspread! Take it off and use light-colored sheets in its place if it’s very bright, has a distracting pattern, or is just a touch dull.
Skip the logos.
Vanessa Brack’s advice: “I tell my clients to keep things basic and clean because my work is more about emotion than it is about style. I prefer that the family’s feelings and ties are the centre of attention. Solids, muted prints, and quiet colours work nicely for that. Avoid words and logos since they catch the eye. Infants and little children look cute in diapers and without shirts.
