What to Wear for Family Photos

So you finally did it. You booked yourself that incredible family photographer you’ve been eyeing. Now you’re a few months away from the photo session wondering what the heck you’re supposed to wear! Or maybe you waited just a little bit too long (we all do it) and now you’re slightly panicking because your photo session is right around the corner.

Don’t fret. I’m here to alleviate some of your stress and share some of my favorite tips to help you get the best family photos you could imagine!

Grab a glass of wine and virtually hang with me. At the end of it, feel free to let me know in the comments if this has helped you.

COMFORT

First and foremost, you want to wear something comfortable. Now hear me out… I’m not necessarily saying this isn’t the time to break in those magical 6 inch heels you never got around to wearing...

But if you want to feel comfortable and move around during your session, you may want to swap them out for some cute booties.

Because let's keep it real, no one wants to chase around kiddos while stabbing holes in the ground. And hey, you can always bring both for variety!

Your photographer will probably have you move around quite a bit, so comfort is key for great photos!

COLORS/PATTERNS

“What colors go best together?”
“What should I wear that photographs well?”
”Is there anything I should stay away from?”

Yes..
Yes..
And YES. Just YES.

These are without a doubt the few questions I get asked every single day. And boy oh boy have I got answers for you!

* Avoid heavy graphics and large logos. Busy graphics can take away from the focus (YOU!) and we don’t want that. There are always exceptions, like if you are sponsored and want to represent a specific brand - But typically these photos are for you and your family to have forever and hang on your wall.

* Avoid neon colors. And I say this gently, because I have many neon tops that I am in love with. But the unfortunate fact is that these just do not photograph well. Any bright and overly saturated colors don’t handle post processing well and can have a funky effect on the photo. These can even cast a color onto other outfits in the photograph. It’s best to ditch neon colors like orange, green, yellow, extremely bright reds, or anything dripping with saturation. An easy fix for this is to replace the tone. Love the red color palette? Find a burgundy or a darker red instead of a vivid neon red. Swap out the neon green for a timeless forest green.

* Avoid too many clashing patterns. Set the polka dots down and step away from the plaid! Just kidding. Kind of. Patterns can be great with a minimalist approach. Have the entire family wear complimentary colors and throw Tommy in that adorable shark pattern shirt you’ve been dying to have him in! When it comes to clashing, I always say that it’s best to avoid too many patterns in one photo. You know what I’m talking about. One person shows up in plaid, the other in stripes, kids are in polka dots. And hey, I’ve photographed this scenario before and can still make it work but it’s not ideal. If there is too much going on, it really does take away from the subjects of the photo. Mommy/daughter or Daddy/son matching is always an option and never fails. That combination will always be adorable.
I could go on for days about this topic but I think my fingers would be numb.

* If you are struggling, stick to neutral colors! Say it with me. Neutral colors are friends not food. Finding Nemo? No? Just me? Awkward.

I’m not kidding you. Neutral colors can save the day when you are stressed about having everyone match. Pick a few of your favorite colors, find your closest Target, and treat yourself. This is a fail proof solution that works 101% of the time. If you want to do a bright pop of color, have that be fixed outfit and fill in the remaining outfits. You can choose shades of gray, brown, etc. or a color that compliments the brighter color without taking away from the photo.

WEATHER

Dress for the weather.

Don’t roll your eyes at me! I don’t mean to wear a jacket if it’s cold or bring an umbrella if it’s raining (well, you should do that too). I mean dress accordingly.

If it’s spring, throw on a cute maxi dress with floral patterns and match the family in light blues, pinks, and grays. Spring is for soft hues and beautiful colors around you.

If it’s summer, put on your favorite skirt with that adorable top you’ve been hiding in your closet (because we’re in Oregon, and Oregon believes in 9 months of winter). Throw on jeans and a t shirt. Really just wear whatever you are comfortable in because it’ll likely be hot as heck out!

If it’s fall (my absolute favorite season), don’t hesitate to go crazy with beautiful rich tones. I’m talking reds, yellows, blues, burnt orange, greens. Give me all of the colors! Throw on your favorite colorful cardigan, jeans, and booties. Fall is life.

If it’s winter, hide yo kids hide yo wife because it’s COLD AS HECK. But come out of hibernation mode for me! Winter is also one of my favorite seasons and I wish more people wanted to be photographed in the snow! Winter is for adorable beanies, snow fights, hot coco, and snuggles. Grab that adorable scarf and let’s go to the mountains. Kiddos usually last much much shorter in the snow for sessions, so consider booking your photographer for a mini session.

Speaking of weather, have faith in your photographer! We can make some serious magic happen in sun, rain, snow, clouds, tsunamis (okay, maybe not the last one).

If the forecast calls for rain, run with it! Bring clear bubble umbrellas and ask your photographer for a good location that may have an undercover area or tons of trees. No one wants to look like a wet cat after 5 minutes of shooting, so let’s avoid that until the end. Click HERE for my favorite inexpensive umbrellas!

I know this goes without saying, but don’t forget to try on your outfit before your photo session. Look in the mirror from all angles and maybe have the hubby snap a pic for you. It’s best to know exactly what you look like beforehand so you feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable in whatever you chose to wear to your session.

My clients have told me what works best for them is to lay out all of their outfits on the bed. Go from there! It’s really easy to see if something is visually appealing when it’s right in front of you.

PETS AND FURRY CHILDREN. Because duh. They are part of the family!

I say catch em all. Oops. I mean match em all. I’m not even joking with you! Throw a bow tie on the dog or buy a cute collar because it’s a special occasion! Your pet will look amazing regardless, but if you want to take that extra step, make a quick trip to the pet store. Or head to Amazon (thank you 2 day shipping!) I have clients bring pets to the session whenever I can. Not only does it add fun to the session, but it ensures that you get some professional photos of your furry loved ones. Don’t forget to bring your dogs favorite toy or treat so your photographer can grab their attention!

I hope this post has helped you a little bit! Feel free to drop a comment and let me know if you need help with anything else. If you aren’t sick of me yet, click HERE for my photo shoot prep guide. I promise, this will help you be as prepared as possible for your session! You will also get an A+ from your photographer. Who doesn’t love good grades?!

Thanks for reading and I will chat with you soon! XO