Choosing what to wear for your family pictures can be just as challenging as finding the perfect photographer!  These photos will be displayed in your home and cherished for years!  It can seem overwhelming when considering what to where, but it doesn't have to be! 

The first thing to consider is what type of photos you are doing.  Is it a late fall session with autumn colors?  Is it a hot summer beach session?  Or, inside a studio? You will want to match the colors and style of your clothing to your session season and location.  

 1.  Home Decor

First of all, consider your home decor.  This may seem a bit unusual to some people.  But, if you are planning on displaying these portraits in your home, you will want the color scheme to look like it matches.  Is your home full of warm earth tones?  Or do you decorate with bright colors? Think about the color scheme in the room the portrait will be displayed and start there.  

2.  Coordinating colors, not matching colors

Long gone are the days of everyone in the photo is wearing the same matching white shirts and jeans.  Pick a couple of colors, and choose clothes that will fit within that color scheme.  

3.  Limit your patterns 

Solid colors are classic, and photograph well.  When you are wearing solids, the photo remains timeless.  Small amounts of patters are fine, but try to limit them.  A small flowered shirt under a cute solid jacket works well.  A large flowered print dress would distract you from looking at the people, it would draw your eyes right to the print of the dress.  Plus, if you get a couple different patterns going in the same photo, it is too busy and draws you away from what they photo is really about, the people.  

4.  Look for clothing collections

When shopping for clothes for kids, check out stores that have coordinating collections.  You can mix and match for all the kids in the photo.  Don’t be afraid to lay the clothes on the floor of the store to see what they will look like next to each other.  Start with the kids clothes, them match the adult clothes. 

5. Plan ahead

Once you book your session, start thinking about what you are going to wear right away. Don’t wait until the day before your session to start pulling things out of your closet and see what goes together.  Make sure the clothes you are using fit your children.  Jeans that are too short will look like their too short in the picture.  (I can’t tell you how many times parents have said to me “You won’t be able to see that, will you?”). Make sure everything is clean and pressed.  

6.  No characters

Your child might love their Disney princess or transformer shirt, but you should skip that for the family pictures.  Just like patterns, this can be very distracting.  It will make things look too busy.

7.  Consider your location

As mentioned above, consider what is going to be your background.  If you are going to have a fall session, match your clothing and color scheme to the colors out doors.  Earth tones are perfect for this.  If you choose Downtown for your session, you will want to dress modern and trendy… maybe some cute boots and accessories to dress it up.  You wouldn’t want to wear your summer attire that would look great at the beach to a downtown session.  

8.  Choose ivory over white, charcoal over black

Try to avoid solid white or solid black colors, and these can look flat.  If your heart is set on white, add a little texture to it, like dinner or lace or knit.  But, ivory photographs beautifully, and it looks warmer in your pictures.  Charcoal is a great substitute for black.  Sometimes black can look like a dark hole, where you would tend to see more detail if it is a little lighter. 

9. Layers and accessories

Think jackets, jewelry, tights and scarves.  Accessories can take an average outfit and make it feel more complete.  Another great thing about layers is that you can take layers off for a variety in the look of your images without having to change your wardrobe.  

10.  Don’t forget about the shoes! 

We typically do both close up and full length when photographing families outdoors.  You don’t necessarily need brand new shoes, but make sure they are clean and looking good.  You don’t want your kids wearing their ratty tennis shoes that they have warn the last 9 months.  Make sure if your children are growing, try on the shoes they are planning to wear.  Their feet grow fast, and just because the shoes fit them a couple months ago, doesn’t mean they are going to fit them now.  

Remember, the purpose of these photos is to showcase who you are as a family.  Don’t try to be something you are not.  Choose the setting, clothing, and style that reflects who you are and what your family is about.  Consider a location that is special to you and your family.  I have had families hire me to come to their family cottage, or their home.  Where is a special location for your family?