Immediately after I book a client for a family photo shoot the next question is, "What should we wear?" If this is you, you are not alone. I even struggle with it for my own family. But over the years I have learned a thing or two about what seems to work when it comes to clothing for family photos. Hopefully you will be able to get a better grasp for clothing options at the end of this post. I should first mention the biggest rule here: THERE REALLY IS NO RULE. But I know that some will still want guidance. So, here is goes:
Scenery
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| Old Town Folsom, CA - just before sunset - Nov 2015 |
First, think of where you will be taking your family photos, is it at the beach? the forest? your home? on a bridge? Next, think about the time of year for your photos, fall? spring? summer? winter? And then finally consider the time of day you will be taking your photos. Usually you will be taking photos in the early morning light (the best is to be done with photos by 10am) or early evening photos just before the sun sets - this is what photographers call the "golden hour". Almost all of my family photo shoots have been just before the sun sets - where the harsh light is gone but there is still enough light to bounce beautifully off faces - no shadows, just perfect.
Comfort
Next, consider how comfortable your family will be in the clothing they are wearing. Without a doubt if you are not comfortable in the clothes you are wearing it WILL show in your photos. Every time. This is especially true with kids. If the clothes are new, too big, too bulky, etc they will be fidgeting with their clothes, maybe throw a tantrum, and their smiles are usually forced... no matter how hard I try or their parents. The other thing to think about is style within the comfort category. If you have a teen who always wears a t-shirt - always - and you put him/her in a dress or sweater for the first and only time it will also show in your photos. Plus, is it truly a good representation of who they are/where they are currently in life if you are putting them in something they would not normally wear (or yourselves) just so you have a coordinated family photo? Really try to embrace who they are in life - right now - and try to find an outfit that will reflect it. If your teen likes t-shirts, maybe find a newer t-shirt in their style but with colors that will have some connection to the rest of the family. It's a win-win! The other option (for my planners out there) is to buy the new clothes in advance of your photo shoot date. Give them time to wear their outfit a few times - wash/dry it - try it again until they get comfy in them.
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| Capitola Trestle, CA - right at sunset - Oct 2012 |
Colors - Layers - Patterns
Being part of a family includes connection, cohesiveness (we hope), consideration, etc. So it is natural to want to have your photos showcase that connectivity, cohesiveness, etc. The easy way to accomplish this is to have some sort of a theme in clothing for each member of the family. I will tell you that when everyone is matchy-matchy it almost is TOO much cohesiveness. :) But you can still gain that coordination with a few simple steps. First, start with inspiration - usually this will be the patterned shirt/blouse/dress for
one member of your family. Next, build the rest of the family members clothing (think shirts - pants can be the same if needed) from that pattern by picking out one color that is in the pattern for one family member and then another color for another family member, etc until you have some base pieces for everyone to wear. Finally - this is usually for the ladies - add some layers, a scarf, cardigan, belt, statement necklace, shoes, etc. If after you layout your entire family's outfits and there is not a "pop" of color yet, that's a good time for (usually) Mom to change up the belt, necklace, etc for a accenting color.
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| Folsom, CA - an hour before sunset - Oct 2014 |
What Are You Going To Do With Your Photos
Finally, what are you going to do with your photos? Are they just going to be Christmas cards? Engagement/Baby announcements? Are they going to be pieces of art in your house? Are they gifts for family/loved ones? This is probably the most important thing you need to answer before you start planning on what your family is going to wear for the photo shoot. If you want to hang these in your home, then where you go and what you wear should be the basis of what your family will wear. For example, if your house is light and bright and coastal - and you are considering a photo shoot at the beach (which would make sense) - then your clothing colors should be light and bright. If your home is rustic/woodsy then consider an apple orchard or an old barn for your photo shoot location and then add some clothing colors that will compliment your home/style.
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| Felton, CA - just before sunset - Oct 2012 |
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| Corralitos, CA - just before sunset - Nov 2012 |
So, here we are, at the end of another post. I hope you learned something. Or I hope you have a better idea of how to dress your family for a photo shoot. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post - I'll reiterate it here, there really is no rule when it comes to picking out clothing for a family photo shoot. My goal of a family photo shoot is to have everyone together (which is a real struggle for some of my clients!) in one photo and to capture everyone's personalities as best as I can. If that happens to be with non-coordinating clothes and a just-come-as-you-are photo, then so be it. It is a treasure, no matter how everyone looks. But if we can plan ahead and get some coordination going - then I'm in!
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| Old Town Folsom, CA - at sunset - Nov 2015 |
Smiling,
Melody
