8 Tips To Help You Figure Out What to Wear In Your Family Photos
If you asked us what the hardest part of being a parent is, you’d probably expect a response along the lines of “feeling like your child is growing up too quickly” or “the terrible twos”.
But in reality, one of the most challenging tasks you’ll ever tackle as a parent seems to be family photos.
The entire experience seems to be overwhelming - from the initial decision to get your family photos taken, to the coordination of your outfits and the final execution of the photo.
(Fingers crossed baby stays happy when it’s go-time! 🤞🏿)
Thankfully, your favorite photographer/parents are here to help make at least one part of your parenthood a little bit easier… sort of.
HERE ARE OUR 8 TOP TIPS FOR FIGURING OUT WHAT TO WEAR IN YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS
Before we dig into our top tips, we put together a few pieces of inspiration for your family photoshoot outfits, organized by each season of the year:
COMPLEMENT & COORDINATE… BUT AVOID BEING TOO MATCHY
There are very few things that are more stressful than trying to figure out what your family should wear in family photos. Especially when you have little ones!
When choosing outfits, try to avoid putting the entire family in the exact same outfit: like blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Instead, focus on coordinating your outfits through similar color palettes and styles.
This photo is not a real-life expression of your family, so you can always explore something new. We’d just recommend that you find a style that’s similar to your current one so that you still feel like you.
Don’t go out and buy your entire family brand new outfits just because you saw it on Pinterest and it looked cute. You still want to reflect on what makes your family unique.
When shopping for ourselves for family photoshoots, we tend to gravitate to stores like Amazon, Target, and H&M. All 3 are great for family-friendly, well-fitting outfits for our entire crew.
When in doubt, go with something you feel confident and beautiful in!
YOU SHOULD PROBABLY STAY AWAY FROM BOLD PATTERNS
It’s one thing to pull in a fun pop of color or a sleek striped shirt…
Please, whatever you do, don’t plop everyone in a loud, patterned shirt for your family photo.
We typically recommend for any sort of photoshoot that you avoid overly detailed patterned clothing. The detail tends to get lost in the shots or becomes overly distracting in your photos.
If you’d like one person to stand out a little more than everyone else, you can still use a patterned or bold choice of clothing. Just do it in such a way that it pulls in everyone else at the same time.
ADD DIMENSION TO YOUR PHOTOS USING TEXTURES AND ACCENTS
Our top tip for any photoshoot? Layer!
Layering not only creates a more interesting and dynamic look, it also allows for you to get multiple “looks” out of one outfit because you can remove or add pieces as your photoshoot progresses.
Aside from jackets and other outerwear, accessories like hats, scarves, and belts help to create an intriguing shot while allowing for a few extra looks during your photoshoot.
Layering clothes and accessories also save you time during your photoshoot because you don’t have to leave and change, and instead can just add and remove pieces in a quick snap!
KEEP THINGS IN CONTEXT
It would be weird if you showed up to a family photoshoot in a full-on Halloween costume, right? Unless, of course, that’s your thing!
If you plan to take family photos on a beach, for example, try to dress your family in clothing that compliments your surroundings. Light, flowy, and natural-looking outfits make sense at the beach.
Or maybe you’re taking family photos in your own home. In that scenario, relaxed but presentable attire (and maybe your bare feet), might make a little more sense.
And of course, if you’re taking family photos in the middle of the winter, we’re probably going to be able to tell that you’re cold in your shorts and a t-shirt in your family photos. Do your best to dress for the season when taking photos outdoors.
WE TYPICALLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU AVOID ITEMS LIKE:
Large and distinct logos or text on your clothing
Oversized or tight-fitting clothing
Thin stripes or plaid patterns that might “lose detail” on camera
Distracting undershirts or other visible undergarments
Neon colors (unless that’s the theme, of course!)
Transitional lenses that might hide your beautiful eyes!
ON THAT NOTE: FITTED CLOTHING IS YOUR FRIEND. TIGHT-FITTED CLOTHING IS NOT.
We’re not saying that your beautiful, flowing summer dress isn’t a good idea for your family photoshoot.
But the camera tends to be dramatic, and extreme fitting clothing only exaggerates things. Too loose, and you’ll look lost in your family photos. Too tight and you’ll be the center of attention.
When you wear clothing that fits just right, the results can be magnificent.
DON’T FORGET TO TEST IT OUT
Better safe than sorry!
Before your family photoshoot, you might consider doing a test run with your entire family. Get everyone dressed, dolled up, and in front of a camera.
You’re really just there to make sure your outfits look clear and crisp on camera, but you might as well have fun with it!
Make the experience fun for your kids, and get them to “practice” posing for a photographer. Make it a game!
If you can’t do a test run, we definitely recommend that you at least lay out the entire family’s outfits and snap a quick photo to make sure everything reads well on camera.
Sometimes seeing it all together on camera helps us identify little discrepancies that we wouldn’t otherwise notice until the photoshoot is over. Take a look at the photos and see if you can add another accessory or layer to tie it all together.
OUR #1 PARENTING TIP THAT DOUBLES AS A PHOTOSHOOT TIP
Plan ahead.
No, really. Plan ahead. Make a checklist for your photoshoot. Odds are you’re going to be running around headless that morning, and it would be stressful for you to forget something important on photoshoot day.
We put together a few more tips on creating a drama-free family photoshoot here. Check it out!
Planning ahead isn’t the important lesson here.
Our best piece of advice as parents and photographers is to let go. Go with the flow. Take it easy. Don’t miss out on this special experience because you’re too stressed to deal.
Enjoy this day. Saviour this moment.
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