Lee's Summit Family Photographer- Outdoor Sessions
I want to start off by saying...I am not now, nor ever will be an expert in fashion. Most of you are probably way more fashion savvy than me. However, I have learned some tips along the way to help families decide what to wear in their family photos. I hope this post is helpful as you think through clothing for your family portrait session. Whatever clothing you choose, the goal is to allow the people to be the focus of the images, not your clothing. You want your clothing to complement the photos and not be distracting in any way.
First off, there are several things to avoid that can be distracting. Please avoid wearing any of the following:
- Bright, neon, or fluorescent colors (if they make highlighters in that color, don't wear it please!)
- Clothing with words
- Clothing with tiny patterns (ex: tiny pinstripes or polka dots). These do not photograph well.
I also recommend avoiding trying to completely match as a family. This look was popular in the 90's, but honestly is distracting and just doesn't look great. I'm talking about everyone wearing white shirts with khakis, or all black shirts (this can sometimes make you look like floating heads). Of course, it's up to you... this is just a word of caution.
Here are some other things to consider and watch out for:
- Chipping nail polish, temporary tattoos, etc. These will show up in photos, and sometimes parents forget to check their kiddos for these things before leaving the house.
- Please make sure the socks everyone is wearing are ok to show up in your photos (because they will show when we do seated poses!)
- Glasses-- if you wear glasses normally, please wear them for your photos. However, if anyone in your family has transition lenses, please wear a different pair of glasses to your session if at all possible.
- Dress comfortably for the weather outside so you and your kids are not miserable!
When choosing your wardrobe, the first thing to consider is what you want your final images to look like, keeping in mind where in your home you plan to hang your photographs-- do you want your images to be more light, bright, and neutral, or do you want richer, more vibrant colors? The time of year and location of your session will affect the overall style and look of your photographs too. For spring/summer images, my preference is to stick to lighter colored neutrals (khaki, light denim, creams/tans) and lighter, more muted color schemes. Here are some examples of spring/summer sessions. Notice how the overall feel of these images is light and bright:
For fall/winter sessions, I recommend choosing a richer color scheme. You can of course wear these color schemes other times of the year too, depending on the look you are going for. Some popular fall colors include: mustard yellow, burgundy, navy blues, dark greens, etc. I recommend choosing one or two main colors, then selecting clothes that complement that color scheme. Add variety with different solids and patterns (plaid, florals, etc.). Think about adding some different textures by adding scarves, vests, cardigans, etc.
For my family, I always lay out everyone's clothing side by side to make sure that none of the colors/patterns clash, but also that nothing is too "matchy matchy." Another tip is to start with one or two outfits that you love (like mom's dress or dad's plaid shirt) and build from there. Add solids or subtle prints that complement.
Here are some examples of awesome fall outfits:
Here are some final thoughts about wardrobe choices. These are just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. Do not stress too much about what you are going to wear. I do not recommend spending a lot of money on new clothing for photos. Try to use what you have, and maybe purchase a few inexpensive pieces to add in...as long as it is something you will wear again. Honestly, I think your budget is better spent on investing in photographic prints and products to hang in your home to enjoy for years to come. Also, I recommend not wearing anything too trendy that will end up looking dated in a few years. Stick to simple pieces of clothing that will not distract from your images and create timeless photographs.
Hope this helps as you think through what you plan to wear for your portrait session. I look forward to photographing your family!!