What do I wear to my upcoming family portrait session?!
Choosing an outfit to wear can be both difficult and fun. Here are some tips for picking out outfits for your family photos.
Tip #1: Be Intentional with your Color Scheme
Most people are aware of ‘complimentary colors’ on the color wheel - they are colors that compliment each other. For example, blue’s compliment oranges.
On the other side you have ‘monochrome colors’ these are colors that are in the same palette. For example, different variations of the same color.
If you want a classic, timeless look to your photos sticking with a neutral color palette is always a great place to start. Think color palette that doesn’t make a huge statement or largely timestamp when the photos was taken - white, creams, blue’s, blacks, navy.
If you want to get creative and adventurous with your families outfit play around with complimentary and monochrome colors.
Tip #2: Start with One Person
Some like to plan their own outfit first and then plan their child(rens) outfits around theres. I personally do the opposite, I like to start with my daughter. There’s usually a dress or sweater that I really want her to wear for the photos. After I know what she is going to wear I’ll work my outfit around hers and then work on my husbands.
Tip #3: Wear Something You Feel Confident and Good In
If you’re sorting through your wardrobe and you find some pieces that could work but you’re not sure if you’re ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT ON like you feel good, you feel amazing, you feel like it is highlighting the parts of you that you love and you’re not self conscious about the parts you don’t love then my honest advice would be to get something that you do ABSOLUTELY LOVE ON. I know that if I’m self conscious in what I’m wearing then I’m likely not going to love the photos so I’d rather go and get something I do love.
Tip #4: Coordinate vs. Match
Do you coordinate your outfits or match? This is super tricky because I love both!
If you’re going to coordinate go back to the earlier tip about starting with one person. For example, if Person A is wearing denim and a blue patterned top then maybe put your first child in denim and a solid blue top and your second child in a blue patterned outfit and maybe your partner is wearing denim and a solid blue top.
On the flip side you have matching. I’m sorry but matching mama and baby girl dresses or outfits are super cute.
If you want a mix of both coordinating and matching then put the focus somewhere. For example, I love for our family portraits (especially seasonal ones) to put my husband and I in matching outfits and then our daughter in a complimentary outfit.
Tip #5: Layer
Layering pieces is always a great way to mix up your photos during a session. For example, at the start of the session maybe mama is wearing a jacket or cardigan and the kids aren’t, towards the middle you pop your jacket/cardigan off and pop one on your kids.
Have fun planning your outfits for the next family photoshoot. Hope you found a useful tip in todays article!
Kelowna Family Photographer
I’m a Kelowna Family Photographer. My mission to you is to document your motherhood and create treasurable memories for yourself and your kids. To get in touch about all things motherhood and family photography head to my contact page!