Family Photo Tips: How To Prepare & What To Wear
You’ve finally scheduled that long overdue family photo session, now what?
How to prepare for your session:
Small Children: Little kiddos are so fun to photograph! They’re typically energetic and full of giggles if they are in a good mood. But like anyone they can get cranky if they’re hungry or tired. A great idea is to plan your session time after your child’s nap so they’re fresh and ready. Bring snacks in case your kiddo gets hungry or treats (that won’t stain fingers and tongues) to help them sit still during posed family shots. If your child has a favorite toy or something that makes them giggle, be sure to share that with me. Keep it light! I know that photos can be stressful and sometimes confusing for kids and none of us are perfect; we’re all there to have fun and patience is golden (as is a promised post-session cake pop).
Older Children: If your child brings a device like a phone or tablet to the session it’s a good idea to leave it in the car as it can be distracting if it’s in their pocket. Let them be involved in choosing their outfit so they are comfortable. Older kids can sometimes have a hard time “loosening up” for their shoot so it helps if they feel good in what they’re wearing. While we will do some posed shots at the start of the session, what I really love to capture is the family dynamic so feel free to tickle, joke and be silly with your older kids! Try to make them laugh!
The Nitty Gritty: Kids of all ages can get boogies in their noses, have dirty faces or crazy hair! Try to check your children thoroughly to make sure their faces and noses are clear of anything you might not want showing up in your family pics. Bringing some wipes and a hairbrush is a great idea for last minute touch ups. Sometimes you’ll even need to pull them out during the session and that is totally fine! Check your child during your shoot to make sure they’re still boogie free.
Adults: Preparing your family for a photo session can also be stressful on parents. Try to use the drive to your session as a time to lighten the mood. Listen to your favorite songs, play a game along the way or crack some jokes. When you’re happy it shows. Most importantly: JUST HAVE FUN!
Finally, before I get into what to wear, I need to state THE most important thing to know when it comes to your family session. Above all other tips in this post, if you only remember one thing, let it be this: Photo shoots should be fun.
You are documenting a specific time in your lives and it’s OK to let your kids pick out their own outfits, especially if they’re adamant about it. Better to have happy photos in a superman cape than unhappy photos in a pretty dress.
OK, let’s get back to it…
What to wear:
Choose several complimenting colors and stick to them. Pick some of your hues that coordinate well together and stick to them. What are your family’s favorite colors? Don’t choose one color for the whole family – multiple colors will add dimension to your images. Pick one pattern and go from there, however you’re going to want to avoid dressing the whole family in patterns. A good idea is to choose one item, a dress for example, with a pattern containing the colors you like. Then choose single colors from that item for the other family members to wear. Be comfortable. Make sure that everyone’s clothing fits properly and is weather appropriate. If you’re hot or cold during your session (or just uncomfortable in general) it’s less likely that you’ll appear happy and relaxed in your photos. This is especially true for kiddos. If you feel good in your clothes, it shows!
DO:
Remember that this photo shoot is supposed to be FUN!
Wear layers. Layers add dimension and depth to your images. If it’s hot outside layer with accessories – cute belts, necklaces, bracelets, etc. If it’s cool weather cardigans, vests, scarves, boots and hats are all great examples. Avoid graphics and logos on clothing – accessorize instead!
Be comfortable. If you decide to buy new clothes for your session, purchase clothes that fit. It can be tempting to buy kids clothing a size bigger so they’ll have room to grow, but for photo sessions it’s not the best idea. Avoid looking sloppy by wearing well fitting garments.
Start with one outfit and build from there. Start with your outfit and then decide on the rest of the family’s options from that starting space. It can be overwhelming trying to choose all the outfits at once so start small and build from there. Everything doesn’t have to be new, shop your closet!
Have Fun with it! Feel comfortable showing your unique personalities!
DOn’t:
Don’t Match 100%. Gone are the days of the entire family wearing white shirts and khakis - being too matchy-matchy is out, coordinating is in. Remember, it doesn’t have to match, it just has to GO. Outfits should complement each other, not match each other. This makes for much more fun and interesting photos.
Don’t blend into the background. Choose colors that don’t match the scenery of where your session is taking place. If you’re doing photos in a park or forest for example, avoid wearing a lot of green as you won’t stand out as much.
Don’t go monochrome. When you wear all black or all white outfits, your photos won’t show much dimension and often make for dull, boring images. If you plan to wear mostly black or white, just consider bolder accessories or a fun jacket as well.
Follow these simple guidelines and your session will be a breeze. Feel free to reach out if you want any other suggestions or have any questions at all about your session. And remember: JUST HAVE FUN!
xx, Amy
