What to Wear for Family Photos: Spring Edition | McKinney Family Photographer | Rebecca Rice Photogr
One of the biggest questions I get as a family photographer is this: "What in the world do I wear?" Even those most clothing-savvy get a little uneasy when it comes to picking out outfits for their family for family photos. I wouldn't consider myself a fashion expert by any means, but I know what looks great in photos! I want to share a few tips I've found to help you have the greatest photography experience you can. I hope this helps to ease your mind a bit!
1. Don't be afraid to dress it up.
The number one thing I've found that helps take family photos from average to stunning is choosing to go dressy rather than casual. Anyone can take your picture in every-day clothing, but it's a special occasion when you dress it up. Family photos should be considered a special occasion and are worth that extra effort. Think of it this way: when you print these photos and display them on your walls, do you want your friends walking by photos of you in your jeans and nice top or would you rather them gush over how beautiful you guys look in your dressier clothes? I'm not saying everyone has to be in the most expensive outfits you can find, but taking the step to avoid jeans will help take your photos to the next level.
Now where to start? I'd dress the most difficult person/people first and work around them. Like I mentioned, try to avoid jeans. If you've got little guys, put them in a cute collared polo instead of a graphic tee. For your girls, find that great twirl-approved dress. For Mom, I always suggest a long and flowy dress. Tulle skirts are always a great idea! Wearing something that's form-fitting may work for you, but be careful as sometimes we bulge in places we didn't realize until we see it on camera. I'll do my best to catch it and reposition you, but sometimes I miss it. You know your body type, so search for something that compliments your curves well! And don't forget accessories! As for Dad, dress him to compliment Mom. Dress pants and a button-down will work perfectly, and you could always add a tie or bowtie!
2. Picking Colors: Avoid "Matchy-Matchy"
What is matchy-matchy? This is when families are OVERLY matching...I know you've seen it. When families dress with everyone wearing jeans and a plain white top, or everyone in plaid. Maybe you have family photos that look exactly like what I'm describing! Although this may seem attractive because it's an easy route, I've found that photos look better when everyone is wearing colors that compliment each other. (I think the exception here is twin kiddos...they always look good matching identically.) A good rule of thumb is to pick two or three colors and go from there. Too many colors won't look cohesive, but having only one color will look redundant. Two people could be in the same color, but I wouldn't go more than that. As a light and airy photographer, pastels are my best friend! For spring colors, think light blues, pinks, lavenders, yellows, greens, or white. Try to stay away from bold, dark colors like dark purple or red. As you can see in the photo at the top, one recent family I shot came with the dad and one boy in white, mom in light pink, and the youngest two boys in shades of light blue. It was the perfect blend of colors! (You can see the whole session HERE.)
3. Remember: Confident and Comfortable
Regardless of what you pick out to wear, I want you to feel confident and comfortable behind the camera. If you know you don't like your arms, don't wear a sleeveless dress. If you know you don't like the way your ankles look, try wearing a maxi-dress to draw attention away from them. It also helps to let me know beforehand so I know how to better pose you in a way that flatters your insecurities. In the end, when you feel confident and beautiful, that will be reflected in your photos. When it comes to the kids, comfort is a huge factor in how the session will go. If they feel that their clothes are too hot, too itchy, too tight, too whatever excuse they can come up with, they won't have fun and probably wont give us the smiles we're looking for. Sometimes you have to compromise a little bit to get them comfortable. Maybe try setting out a couple of outfit choices and letting them choose so that they feel like they were part of the decision-making process. This could help minimize day-of tantrums over their outfit.
I hope this helps to make your family photos a smoother and fun experience for the whole family! Springtime is a great time to get some updated photos, so let me know if you'd like to book your family session while the weather is great! I can't wait to work with you to capture beautiful memories that you'll treasure forever!
