What to Wear Tips
Deciding what to wear to your photo session can be a daunting task. I'm on the fence between spending lots of money buying new coordinating outfits for the perfect look and trying to find some stuff currently in your wardrobe that you feel comfortable in. I think in most cases it's a bit of both. Finding items you feel really reflect your style and then maybe adding a new accessory to spice it up a bit! In the end it's totally up to you, but here are some helpful tips when trying to decide on your final look.
When choosing your outfits...
3. Establish 1-2 base colours. For fall, colours like navy blue/denim, grey, or brown, and for summer you can throw in white or softer tones. This helps to keep everybody grounded with a shared colour group. Then choose 1 or 2 "Pop" colours to accent with. Not everyone needs to wear the accent colors, they just help to add a little extra pizazz to the look. **Google is great for colour pallet ideas! Just search "what to wear family photos".
4. Layer your clothing. This can be harder in the summer months, but doing it in the other seasons brings more visual appeal and dimension to your photo's. Start with a plain shirt then add a sweater or jacket. For a guy, wear a collared shirt under a sweater, or a t-shirt under a button down. |
1. The most important tip is...be yourself! This is not the time to be trying a new hairstyle or dressing up when you're usually more casual. If you don't feel comfortable in your photos it will show, and you won't look like yourself.
2. On the same note as tip number 1...wear something that is flattering on you and reflects your own personal style. I know this may sound like a "given" but I'm surprised to hear a lot of clients complain about a particular body part, like their legs, and then they show up in a short skirt! So if you are self-conscious about your legs wear a long skirt or capri pants. If you aren't a fan of your arms, wear a jacket or long sleeve top. The fact is, if you feel comfortable, you will look comfortable in the photo's. |
5. Combine colors and patterns. Another way to gain more visual appeal is to throw in some patterns that coordinate with your color splashes. But don't over do it. I recommend only having 1-2 patterns for the average family size or things can get too busy. I often recommend putting a child in a pattern to help draw the eye to them. Maybe a plaid shirt on a boy or a pattern dress for a girl.
6. Don’t perfectly match. I know, that sounds weird, but I don’t like for the entire family to match EXACTLY. Working with your base colours, try to find tops and bottoms that pull those colours together along with your “pop” colours. And allow each of you to show your own personal style! So if dad wants to wear his favorite orange and blue plaid shirt, mom should choose a solid top for herself and the child(ren) that coordinates with the plaid or one of the "Pop" colours.
7. Avoid too many patterns, or logos. Patterns can add some dimension to the overall image, but too many can get overwhelming. Depending on the size of your group I feel that 1-2 patterns can look good, but watch that they don’t clash with each other. And avoid logos as these can be distracting and date the images. |
8. Maintain the “Style”. If your family is a more casual family then have everyone following that same look and feel. Don’t have one person in jeans and a plaid top and the rest in dressy attire. Try to have the same feel to all the outfits combined.
A word of caution...beware of really bright or neon colours. Bright red can be particularly bad. The reason why I say this is because neons and bright colours can cast their colour up under your chin in the bright sun. And that is not a flattering look for anyone. Now you still need to remember that nothing is written in stone and sometimes rules were made to be broken. That means you don't have to take everything in this post as the law but in my experience the best combinations of outfits usually fall within these guidelines. And as always I'm happy to consult with you if you're not sure. |