after a family session is booked, probably the number one question I am asked is… “So, what should we wear?”
the right wardrobe choices can add so much to a photoshoot,
but coming up with outfits for the whole family can be a daunting task!
i don’t claim to be any expert on fashion here, but i’ve taken the time to put together a few style boards
and real life examples to hopefully give you some direction…enjoy!
1) pick a palette
it might seem the easy way out to match everyone in the same color;
but may i suggest picking a color palette and coordinating instead?
here are few palettes and examples to get you started…
.black, gray and cream.
.autumn rust + gold.
one of my recent clients incorporated this rusty red, and i loved the way it photographed…
.blue + green with a splash of yellow.
one of my favorite family shoots is a great example…
2. accessorize.
pictures are two-dimensional, and adding texture through layers, patterns and accessories helps to add depth. don’t be afraid to mix stripes or plaids… used in small doses, these patterns can add great variety to an image. you can also add interest through splashes of color in a jacket, scarf or pair of shoes. and don’t forget jewelry and hair accessories. i am a big fan of h&m and forever21 for great, reasonably priced belts, jewelry, headbands, and other accessories. once you have a general idea of your palette, fill it in with fun extras. this is a great way to add accent colors to your base tones.
3. be comfortable. be you.
you can have the most put together ensemble ever; but if baby is screaming about wearing tights and shoes, her brother is chafing against his button-up & tie, and you are constantly having to adjust your top from little hands tugging on it, this will likely not be a relaxed, enjoyable experience. by all means, come looking fabulous; but most importantly come looking like you. my goal is to capture the beauty of who you are, not who you’d like to be. kids will be kids. your son will insist on wearing his favorite pair of dirty crocs, your two old refuses to put her tattered blankie down, someone will inevitably fall within five minutes of arrival and get dirty. these are the things that make up real life, and i am all about capturing that for you. in my opinion, the best images are not the ones where everyone is perfectly coordinated and accessorized, but rather those real moments of interaction between parents and children…laughter and love. looking good is just a nice bonus :)
[…] I put together a board on my fav pinterest. You can also check out my what to wear posts from 2011 and […]