This post was written by Victoria of Spectrum Photography. Make sure to check out her awesome offer for TNM readers at the end of the post!
Everyone always has questions after booking a photography session. There is one question that every single client asks me. WHAT do we WEAR?!
A quick Pinterest search will find you an unlimited supply of examples of perfectly coordinated families complete with adorable little bow ties and complimentary plaid button-ups. That’s great and adorable and precious but unless they are going to tell you where to buy those exact pieces for your family your outfits just might get lost in translation.
I’ve come up with a handy no nonsense step by step guide to help you choose your outfits to help your family shine.
Step 1: Choose your location and season.
The season and location will set the overall tone for your family photos. Photos can be done during any season but the one you choose will impact the rest of your decisions. Going indoors is always a great idea too! So make your first decision(s). A beautiful stark winter session? Spring time with lots of greenery? A colorful fall with warm oranges, reds, and yellows? Maybe you’ll do it right in your family living room for a more classic and intimate feel. Head on over to my Pinterest board where I’ve collected family sessions from all seasons!
Step 2: Choose your color palette.
As a general rule most color schemes are fair game. There are a ton of approaches you can take to this, but I’ve outlined the two that I find easiest.
1) Choose your center piece.This can be anything from a patterned dress to a plaid shirt. You will set your color scheme around this piece. Every color you choose from this point forward (other than your neutrals) should be found somewhere in your centerpiece.
2) Pick one neutral and one to two other colors. Don’t forget there are neutrals other than white! (Navy/Black/Gray/Tan/Brown). Ready? Now choose your colors! I recommend at least two colors but no more than three. Let’s say in this example you’ve chosen gray (neutral), yellow (color 1), and blue (color 2). Voila! You have your color palette! Keep this in mind for the next steps!
Step 3: Coordinate or Compliment, but don’t match.
Whatever you do, don’t match! The trick to the “put together but not identical” look is coordinating. Remember that centerpiece? Make sure everyone in the photo is wearing ONE color from that piece and the neutral you’ve chosen. You can do this in a solid colored dress or top. You can also do this using “pops” we will discuss in Step 4. This same process applies if you didn’t go the centerpiece route. Make sure everyone has ONE main article of clothing with one of your colors. (Bonus points if it’s not the same piece of clothing on everyone. That means mom has a yellow top, but little sister has a blue skirt and neutral top). Put the rest of clothing as your neutral. This means little brother might be wearing a yellow vest over a white shirt and neutral pants.
Step 4: Add pops of colors or layers (or both at the same time!)
This is where all of your effort is going to pay off! Try to give at least two thirds of the family an accessory of some sort in your chosen colors or neutrals. Remember that mom is wearing a yellow dress? A neutral scarf or hat will add some depth to the outfit. Remember that little brother is wearing a yellow vest, white shirt and neutral pants? Wouldn’t it be the cutest if he also had a plaid bowtie in yellow? Don’t be afraid to use neutral accessories if the individual outfit is already colorful.
Step 5: Pick the right shoes
Everyone knows that shoes are the rug of an outfit. (They really pull the outfit/room together, man). Make sure your shoes are season/location/outfit appropriate! Don’t wear sneakers under your khakis and button up. Don’t wear high heels to the beach! (I beg of you!) Your shoes don’t need to be fancy, but they do need to match and be appropriate. Sounds like common sense doesn’t it? Throwing off the feel or look of an outfit can quickly be accomplished by making your shoes an afterthought.
Whatever you do, make sure you have fun with the process! Ultimately your family photo session should be a snapshot of what your family is like at this moment in time. Try not to worry too much. Just follow these easy steps, trust your photographer, and smile!
Victoria has generously offered up TWO amazing promotions for The Nashville Mom readers (just in time for Christmas card photos)! There is a mini and a full session option. You can read more about them on her site. Sign up now so you don’t miss out!