“What should we wear?!”

It’s always the first question I hear from clients and the first one I ask when my family is preparing for pictures.

When I started having our professional pictures done, despite being a photographer, I’d completely panic about our wardrobe. I have six bodies to clothe. That’s no small task, thank you very much.

I’d think I have everything planned out, then realize the plaid stripes in one of my boy’s shirts are going to completely clash with the thicker plaid stripes in another. GAH!

Then somehow it always ended up where everyone else was in a cute outfit and I altered mine to compliment them, resulting in me hating how I look. Thankfully, I’ve learned some things over the years though and now planning for photoshoots is a big part of the fun for me.

I LOVE helping my clients create the perfect balance of patterns to solids and bold colors to neutrals - avoiding things that will distract the eye, and focus on what matters.

I thought I’d blog my favorite tips. So here’s 5 things TO DO and 5 things NOT to do. I hope they help!

5 THINGS TO DO -

MOM PICKS FIRST - This might seem sexist (please forgive me for that), but I always suggest that mom (who is usually the one booking the shoot) picks her outfit first. If there is a dress that you feel amazing in and will make you feel confident and happy during the shoot, wear it! Or if you’re more of a jeans and t-shirt kind of person, then by all means, you do you. Not only will you be happier with the pictures in the end, but it will help you be calm and ready to smile, no matter what kind of chaos your kids are throwing at you.
STICK TO YOUR STYLE - If you’re more of a casual, graphic tee and high tops sort of family, then embrace that. And if you’re a fancy, dressed to the nines crew, then by all means, bring out the formal wear. I think a lot of people get stuck thinking they need to wear the same kind of clothes they see in pictures on Pinterest, and it’s just not true. The more you do you, the more you will cherish the images. AND the more unique you’ll feel. There is only one family like your family and I want your pictures to celebrate that awesome fact. Also, even though it can be hard at times, gives your kids some freedom to choose part of their outfit. Maybe set out a few items that you would like and let them choose between the three. They’ll be pumped to show off their super stylish choices.
CONSIDER THE LOCATION - Most of the time, clients are choosing between two extremes - urban or natural. At least that’s where I usually start. And once a client chooses between those options, it can help narrow down their wardrobe choices. Earthy tones like brown and beige work well in natural settings. While blues and blacks (as base colors) look great in downtown settings. Mostly though I want clients to consider the “elements” in these two different settings. High heels are great on downtown sidewalks, but not so great in a wide open field (boots work well there).
INCLUDE PATTERNS - I am a huge fan of patterns. I think they add texture and subtle colors if done right. My advice is to pick one or two members of the family (depending on how large the family is) and put them in a patterns that compliment each other. This could be a boy in a plaid/flannel shirt and a girl (or mom) in a dress with a floral pattern. And everyone else chooses colors from those patterns and wears solids based on them. Think of dad in a denim shirt, mom in a floral dress, the son in a subtle plaid button down, and sister in a color pulled from mom’s dress. When I arrive and the family has thought through the patterns vs solids, I do a little photographer cheer inside. I know they’re going to like the outcome.
INCLUDE LAYERS TOO - Jackets, sweaters, vests, and even leg warmers are all types of layers I love. They add so much dimension and texture to images and really help keep clients warm and happy in the Fall, when I’m usually taking family photos. Even if you don’t know if a layer will work or not, I say bring it (and other outfit options as well). We can add it in once in a while to mix things up, or decide to leave it out. Either way, options are great!

5 THINGS NOT TO DO -

NO LOGOS - Unless your family was recruited by a brand and you’re making thousands of dollars for adorning your kiddos with their name, I beg you, NO logos! Not even a polo horse if you can manage it. It distracts the eye and dates your images. Just no.
NO MATCHY MATCHING - As I mentioned in the “5 things to do” section, I always suggest that clients use complimenting colors with a few patterns mixed in, rather than make everyone look the same. I will admit, sometimes this just works (see image below of family in white and jeans), but most of the time, it dates the image and doesn’t allow that texture and personality to come through. Maybe matchy matching will come back around…like I said, the family in the image below absolutely KILLED it with their white shirts and jeans. But most of the time, I think it’s best to have a mix of colors in there so you can compliment each other and make the image more interesting.
AVOID BOLD COLORS - Ok, just like my point above, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes families can rock the bold whites, reds, and even neons. But overall, those super bold colors distract from the real focus of the shoot - your faces. My favorite materials and colors are denims, neutrals, lighter pastels (like blue and pink). Note - this is very different for individual portraits - a lot of times bold colors work for those. But for families, when you’re trying to make a large group work together, the subtle colors work best.
NO MESSY SNACKS - Sometimes I have parents show up to a photoshoot apologizing because their kid ate a granola bar on the way and got chocolate all over their white shirt. This is definitely a rookie mistake I’ve made too. But after 4 kids, I know the non-messy snacks that will make them happy and keep their clothes clean. Some of these include - fruit snacks, tortilla chips, non-buttery popcorn, nuts, and if you must have juice, get the clear kind.
MOST IMPORTANT - DON’T STRESS! - Parents (moms especially) can be super invested in the outcome of their images. After all, you put money and effort into preparing for this moment. But when your kid starts pulling their bow out, or screaming that they hate the clip-on tie you made him wear, that’s not the time to stick to your guns. If all you get are mad, crying faces with those bows and ties, you won’t be as happy in the end. My advice is to go with the flow as much as possible. Set your expectations low and be pleasantly surprised when the kids smile on cue. They will feed off your relaxed attitude and think of it as fun, which will create the lasting memories you want!

I hope these tips help and please feel free to share any others in the comments below!