What to Wear for Family Photos
One of the questions I get asked the most for family sessions is “what should we wear?”. I’ve put together a short list of what I have found seems to work well.
Be comfortable!
If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing it will show in your photos. It's not the day to try a brand new hairstyle. If your normal style is dressing to the nine's then go for it! Otherwise, be yourself. I want to capture emotion rather than a grimace from heels that are too high.
Should we match?
Not necessarily. That was a big trend for a while but I see it less and less. It’s better to coordinate colors and style. However, I’ve seen kids dressed in matching outfits and that is really cute especially when the kiddos are little. What I think is it best to avoid is everyone in white shirts and jeans, or everyone in exactly the same outfit.
What about colors?
For groups, I recommend selecting 3 colors, 4 at the most, and have everyone choose their outfit from those colors. For example, navy, burgundy and cream or khaki work well together, especially for fall photos. Denim can fill the navy/blue category. For a 4th color green would work well with that group. Really bright colors or neon colors don't photograph well. Earthy tones look beautiful in the woods or during fall, while soft pastels pop nicely against a beach or spring greenery. In order to stand out, try not to wear colors that blend in too much with your environment.
What about patterns?
Subtle patterns are fine. Busy patterns tend to draw your eye to the outfit, and what I hope to emphasize is the connection among the people over and above what they are wearing.
Footwear matters too!
It's easy to overlook footwear, but shoes do matter - especially for outdoor sessions when I try to get a pulled back photo to include the beautiful scenery. Choose something that coordinates with your outfit and feels comfortable. Barefoot is an option too if that is the vibe you are going for!
I’ve actually never photographed a family that did not look great or dress well for their photos. When I say dress well, that can mean a lot of things. Whether you are very formal or super casual, dressing well means being comfortable and true to your style. You are the ones that will be displaying and sharing the family photos, and I want you to feel great in what you chose to wear.