a Guide to styling your family photo session
When styling your family for a photo session, there's a few tips and tricks I always recommend. I hope this helps simplify the process for you and your family!
Choose a color palette
First, choose a color palette of 3-4 colors. Incorporate neutrals as at least one or two of the colors. Neutrals photograph so well. Incorporate lots of textures and a few patterns to keep it visually interesting! When choosing colors, keep in mind your background. If there's lots of green, I wouldn't include green in your palette. If your session is in an all-white studio, you have more room to play with pops of color.
Outfit selections
MOM:
My advice is to start with choosing mom's outfit first. Moms are sometimes the most challenging to shop for so build your family's outfits around mom so she's sure to feel beautiful. Choose an outfit that moves easily and that you are comfortable bending, squatting and walking freely as we will not simply smile at the camera during a lifestyle family session! I recommend choosing longer, flowy dresses. This allows for those playful, fun and authentic images. If you have little ones, mind a low neckline as you may be bending over often to pick up little ones. If you're not comfortable in a dress, I recommend a flowy blouse or romper. These also move well. As beautiful as you may look in something more form fitting, these outfits don't play well. Skip the heels too - if you prefer some height, opt for a wedge heel. *Pro Tip: My favorite kinds of dresses to photograph are maxi dresses with a slightly shorter liner or crochet holes at the bottom. When the sunlight hits your dress, it will illuminate in such a beautifully flattering way, trust me!
DAD:
Similar to mom, choose something dad will feel comfortable moving in as well. Think about dad throwing kids in the air or holding them on their shoulders. I always joke that a family session with me is dad's workout for the day. Keeping this in mind, I notice men are more comfortable wearing a shirt that isn't too short when they toss a kid in the air. Keep this in mind when choosing his outfit! Basic henley shirts or quarter zips photograph well. *Pro Tip: If he's comfortable, skip the jeans and opt for chino pants instead. If you have multiple boys in your family, choose a different kind and color pant for everyone. For example, if they do wear jeans, don't put everyone in the same wash. Ideally if you have 3 men/boys in your family, pick a cream chino pant for one, light wash denim for another and another chino pant in another neutral. Mix in some texture with corduroy or linen. In cooler months, add a vest or bomber jacket.
KIDS:
Trust me when I say this is not the time to put kids in shoes that are just a little too tight. Cranky kids do not equal happy photos, trust me - I've learned the hard way. Choose outfits that fit well and do not need to be fussed over - kids will get tired of you fixing them. No neons or logos or characters. Save those for another day. As much as we want to buy the cutest outfit, sometimes simpler is better. Their sweet faces are the main star, the outfits are just the supporting characters. Pro Tip: If you have twins, don't match. Just as I would advise for everyone else, coordinate vs. match. It will make your photos so much better in the end, I promise! One Last Pro Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early to dress little ones right before your photo session. This helps avoid stains or complaints!
BOYS:
Older boys look great in outfits similar to dad. Add layers during the colder months. They will be happier and more cooperative if you incorporate a cool jacket into their outfit and your color palette when it's cold. For little boys, keep it fairly simple with shorts or pants and a neutral shirt with texture. Baby boys look great in rompers! They're easy, they stay on and look oh so darling. Sweet little cardigans can add dimension and different looks in some of your photos.
GIRLS:
Older and little girls look great in similar dresses as mom or rompers and blouses. Styles evolve often for teenage girls so the most important thing is that she feel confident. Let her be part of the process by giving her a few very different choices that all work well with your overall style. Baby girls look great in dresses or rompers as well, just don't forget the diaper covers! Some of the cutest photos of babies are them being tossed in the air, but we don't want to see a Huggies diaper.
Full Session: Styling Catalog
All my Full Session Clients receive a live Styling Catalog with shoppable links. Family sessions receive the Family Catalog while Maternity & Newborn clients receive a Maternity & Newborn Styling Catalog. Both Catalogs are organized in two ways: first by family member and category so it makes it so easy to shop. Examples of categories include maxi dresses, midi dresses, boys outerwear, baby girls, rompers, etc. They are also organized onto mood boards so that if you want to shop for everyone at once, it's so simple. The catalog is curated by a professional Family Photo Stylist and updated weekly to help ensure current trends and items in stock. Even if you are not shopping for something new, this amazing tool is so helpful in inspiring coordinating outfits for every season!
Mini Session: Style Guide
All my Mini Session Clients receive a Style Guide that I created which provides all of these tips plus SO many more. I want you to receive photos you love and a big piece of that is what your family wears. My hope is this Guide gives you direction and assistance to simplify your planning process.
authentically you
No two families are alike nor are they expected to dress like it. The style guidance I provide your family can be tweaked and adjusted so that you feel like your photos are authentically you. If you feel your best in what you wear, you will be more confident and comfortable during our session, which always results in more beautiful, playful images. I can't wait to help you turn your memories into beautiful art.
