WHAT TO WEAR AT YOUR NEXT FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT?

Dear Friends and Fashionistas.


Deciding what to wear in family photos can be just as challenging as finding the perfect photographer. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and cherish for years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn’t need to be. I have always had a passion for photography and have been taking my own photos for a few years now. I am in no means a photographer but I do have a creative edge.  If anyone knows me, my Christmas cards have been my passion for years. I usually start in October taking advantage of the gorgeous fall colours and scenery. Some of you may think that is way to early to start thinking about Christmas cards, however it really isn't when you are dealing with children, schedules, meltdowns, wardrobe malfunctions, weather etc.. Starting early for me, has always awarded me enough time to take multiple photo opportunities,  if one doesn't go as planned. I have to admit though,  it definitely hasn't been easy when you are hurdling around 4 children however, planning ahead, being organized and taking an advil in advance, makes for a successful photo shoot. lol.  It also doesn't hurt to have an assistant with you (i.e. a family member, friend, neighbour )that helps to keep the kids hydrated and entertained while you are setting up the camera between shots. Lastly, having a tripod is ideal when taking family shots that you want to be a part of .

I have simplified the fashion hurdle in family photo shoots in just these 10 simple steps.

 Hope you find these tips helpful when picking out the perfect wardrobe for you and your family for your photo shoot.

1. Coordinating colours not matching. Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Instead, pick a couple of colours and choose clothes that will fit in this colour scheme. As you can see my family photos below, I also have a family of colours that all work well together.

2.  Look at your home decor. Do you like bright colours? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colours of your clothes go with the colour scheme of your home. If your decor is transitional with a lot of neutrals and wood finishes, then move towards earth tone colours like beige, whites, chocolate browns and blues.

3. Don't forget accessories. Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Have the man wear a tie for the woman to hold. Necklaces for the kids to play with or hats to hide behind. This adds flare and fun to photos. Like a baby smashing a birthday cake on her first birthday.

4. Limit patterns. Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colours in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image.

5.  Look for clothing collections. When shopping for clothes for my kids, I head to stores that typically have colour coordinating collections like Osh Kosh, Gap kids, H & M and now my personal favourite Zara. I can then purchase clothes for all the children from one store. I know their clothes will coordinate.

 6. Plan ahead. Once you book your session, start thinking of the outfits right away. You may have certain outfits in mind for your family however, if you wait until the day of the photo shoot, you may run into unnecessary wardrobe issues.  The clothes you had in mind for the big day, could be too small, dirty or possibly in need of a major dry cleaning.  Always give yourself enough time and plan ahead!!

7. Say NO to characters. Yes, your little one may love their Toy Story shirt but you may want to skip it for the family photo session. Just like patterns, characters on shirts can be pretty distracting. What's on trend this year, may not be in years to come. Stick with classic solid colours.

8. Textures are your friend. I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs I like to add textures like scarves or belts to add a little more UMPH to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures. I love having one or two bold colours in family photos, like bright orange or fuchsia pink. They are punchy and it attracts the viewer right away.

9. Consider your background. If you are taking photos in front of a backdrop, consider what you are wearing.  Make sure you don't mesh in with the same colour. Always ask your photographer ahead of time what the backdrop colours will be, to avoid unnecessary setbacks.

10. Think classic. These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosing simple, classic clothes you will help give your images a timeless feel. You want to be able to look at this photo for years to come and still be in love with it!

Here are some of my own family photos that I have used on previous Christmas cards.  I love to incorporate my own flair for fashion into the photo.

Fashionably Yours, MyFlair4Fashion by LianeMarie