What To Wear To Look Your Best in Family Photos

How you feel in your clothing is just as important

as what you wear to your family photography session.

It's important for everyone to feel like themselves.

The best photography sessions happen when each individual feels good about being there and being always comfortable helps. Dressing in a way that makes you feel confident and like yourself makes all the difference in our time together.

If you regularly wear glasses then you should absolutely wear them in your session

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Layout clothes ahead of time. That includes shoes.

Whether one person is coordinating everyone's outfit or everyone is choosing their own it is a good idea to layout clothing ahead of time if someone in your family is particularly sensitive to texture or is not used to clothing being chosen for them. Getting everything out ahead of time lets them have time to adjust to the idea of what they will be wearing. When someone is still focused on not getting to wear what they want at our session it's really hard to help them feel happy and not think about finishing up so they can change.

Shoes are often overlooked but really important to think about ahead of time. If your child is wearing dress shoes for the first time since Christmas laying them out ahead of time can avoid a last minute reminder to leave their usual shoes at the door.

If we are meeting at a field or trail, its a good idea to bring walking shoes so heels or suede doesn't sink or get stained as we move from place to place.

Feel good, look good!

As much as a coordinated color palette elevates photos, disgruntled or uncomfortable feelings are hard to set aside during a time when we are focusing on expressions. Discomfort can take away from the overall experience and look of your final images.

Okay, okay. Being comfortable is important but here are some more suggestions that I hope are helpful too.

COMPLEMENT & COORDINATE and avoid getting too matchy

Find a color palette that you love and choose outfits that compliment each other without looking too matchy-matchy. Everyone will have a unique look without clashing in the photo. You can choose to do neutrals with a few pops of color or a softer palette that has different ranges in tone of the same shades.

Suggestions:

I always suggest that the person who may be most particular about the way they look and feel in the outfit choose something they confident and great in. Then plan the color palette and everyone else's outfits from there.

If you have a fun patterned outfit you would like to use, limit it to one person. That way they will pop and still coordinate with everyone else. Multiple patterns can look busy (think Dad and son in plaid), so try to use just one. This way they won't be competing with one another.

Add dimension and interest by mixing up the texture of the clothing material and accents.

Feel free to bring cute little accessories such as scarves, hats, belts and basically anything with a fabulous texture. Accessories can pull together an outfit and make it look complete. Plus by switching up accessories and layers, you can get multiple looks without having to do complete outfit changes.

Not giving a second thought to your clothing, is a good way to come to the session so that you can focus on your family and each other.