What to wear for family photo sessions in 3 easy steps!

This is the number one question I get all day everyday from clients!! What to wear, more speficially how to dress your family for photo session day! Let me show you my easy 3 step formula that will remove all question, fear, and doubt!

LOCATION FIRST

This may not come to mind first but your location should determine your outfits! What you would wear to the beach isn't there same as how you would dress for a park or wooded location! Think about the vibe your location gives and take your clothing cues from there! For example, beach is casual, breezy, care-free and keep in mind the weather elements there like the wind and water. For a downtown urban location you could be more formal, edgy, playful, and structured clothes just like the straight edged buildings. Let me show you:

Beach outfits= casual, carefree, and the coloring goes with the beautiful ocean blues!

Park setting= playful, colorful clothes!

Wooded, forest area= Plaids, layers, and classics work well here!

DRESS YOURSELF FIRST (LADIES)
This will go against your instinct since Mom's always put themselves last, but it will be hardest to dress yourself, am I right? Your going to change 3x! So find an outfit that you are in love with-that fits well. This is a must. The camera doesn't add 10lbs, but clothes can. Watch what shape you are making with your clothes. Highlight the smallest part of you-an empire cut pulling in right under the chest area or an outfit that cinches at the waist is best. If cinched waist isn't your thing try a billowy top with fitted pants or reverse it and loose pants/skirt with fitted top! Or do a loose fitting dress with a cardigan or scarf to create vertical lines going down the body. Start with your outfit first (fit matters most) then build everyone else around you!

Cinch your waist!

Create vertical lines with scarves, jackets or cardigans

Fitted on top, loose on bottom or loose on bottom fitted on top!

PULL IT ALL TOGETHER-PICK A PALETTE

Think of your family as "going" together not matching. If you really have your heart set on matching or even matching your children-go for it, it's your session! You're hiring the photographer go with what makes you happy. However, coordinating everyone makes for an image with more interest and variety! Pick a color palette of a few colors and go from there! You could even vary pattern, texture, and fabric. Also don't be afraid to layer and accessorize! Have fun and be playful, its clothes!