Family Style Guide
One of the most common questions I get asked during the planning stages with my clients is "what should we wear?" Advice on what to wear on your photo shoot has changed over the years. No longer are white shirts and jeans on everyone the trend. I am more than happy to discuss your clothing choices, help you narrow down your decision or give you a direction to focus on. As well as make sure that your clothing coordinates well with the location chosen for your photo shoot!
1.CHOOSE YOUR PALETTE FIRST.
Pick a palette of 3-4 colors. Let this be your starting place. Think in terms of tones: blue tones, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style within the chosen color palette, and the whole group will coordinate beautifully. Mixing different textures in to the clothes also gives interest to an image and allows you to use the same color without it feeling over done. I recommend wearing longer sleeves and pants because skin can also distract, drawing attention away from the face. Clothing (especially darker colors) can have a slimming effect. These are just recommendations so please wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.
2. DON'T MATCH. COORDINATE.
You want to complement each other's outfits by choosing colors that work well together. I find that if everyone is wearing the same clothing, people tend to blend together and there won't be as much pep and life to the images.
3. USE MUTED COLORS.
Muted tones look beautiful together in a family picture. When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that wont pull attention away from the main subjects, and only put one person in a pattern. When thinking about texture, choose different ones that will give photos some interest such as lace, corduroy, denim, and knits.
4. LAYERING.
One of my favorite "tips" for clothing choices! In the summer months, this may be more difficult to pull off but during all of the other seasons, definitely layer your outfits. Not only will it provide more visual interest in each photo but it will also allow a lot more variety in your shots and poses. Have a ton of images of your self in just your dress or cute top and jeans? throw on a little sweater or jacket and a hat and you have entirely different look.
5. FIT YOUR STYLE TO YOUR LOCATION.
Always keep your session location in mind when choosing your outfit. If your session is happening in a city setting, you can dress up a bit with a pair of cute heels and a facier dress than you'd normally wear to match the busting vibe of the city. If you've selected a more natural environment, choosing something a bit more casual such as a maxi dress and opt for casual footwear like flat sandals or boots.
6. BE TIMELESS
As a fashionista, this is a difficult concept. However, you are going to want these images to stand the test of time. Pick outfits that aren't considered too trendy, but will be able to be enjoyed and displayed for many years to come.
7. PLAN AHEAD.
Make sure you have given yourself enough time to think about all of the details of your session. Plan ahead so that #1 you can truly think about your photos and everything you want out of the session, #2 you aren’t rushing and stressed right before your session, and #3 if you have decided to go for a new look for your session or someone gets a bad haircut, you still have time to fine tune any details.
8. OUTFIT CHANGES
If time allows it, bring another set of outfits. Again, you will get a lot more variety in your shots so why not capitalize on the opportunity and get the most bang for your buck. Many of my clients chose a casual look and then also more dapper look.
