Family Style Guide
Clients often ask us what to wear for their family photo shoot.
Above all else, we want you to wear something that represents you, as a family. There is no use buying clothes that do not suit you and your style. You do not want to look back at your photos in 2 or 10 years time, and cringe, remembering that time you all wore “those clothes” for some family photos. That being said, there are definitely guidelines we give to our clients when it comes to clothing choices for their family portrait sessions.
Above all else, we want you to wear something that represents you, as a family. There is no use buying clothes that do not suit you and your style. You do not want to look back at your photos in 2 or 10 years time, and cringe, remembering that time you all wore “those clothes” for some family photos. That being said, there are definitely guidelines we give to our clients when it comes to clothing choices for their family portrait sessions.
Choose clothes that don’t overwhelm – this can be colour, pattern or style. The photos we are taking are not for a fashion spread in a magazine. We are creating family pieces of art, capturing the connection, the love, the relationships between your family. The photos are not about the clothes, they are about you, so we don’t want the clothes to be the stars.
You don’t all have to match – choosing clothes with a colour story, similarities in tone or temperature is great. But you do not have to all be in blue jeans and white t-shirts. Some clients like to choose one colour to weave through different outfits within the family, but in subtle ways. Maybe one child is wearing a bold mustard, the other outfits compliment this bold colour, rather than clashing with it.
Colour temperature and tones can be a good guide – Tones can be bright and vibrant, subtle, pastels, darks, lights. Choosing clothing with similar colour temperatures and tones can help create a coherent colour story. Mixing in neutrals such as beige, white, grey and black with a couple of colours makes sure you are not all matching. You ultimately want to create a colour palette of between 2-4 colours, with some neutrals included in this palette.
You don’t all have to match – choosing clothes with a colour story, similarities in tone or temperature is great. But you do not have to all be in blue jeans and white t-shirts. Some clients like to choose one colour to weave through different outfits within the family, but in subtle ways. Maybe one child is wearing a bold mustard, the other outfits compliment this bold colour, rather than clashing with it.
Colour temperature and tones can be a good guide – Tones can be bright and vibrant, subtle, pastels, darks, lights. Choosing clothing with similar colour temperatures and tones can help create a coherent colour story. Mixing in neutrals such as beige, white, grey and black with a couple of colours makes sure you are not all matching. You ultimately want to create a colour palette of between 2-4 colours, with some neutrals included in this palette.
Dress to a similar dress code – This is one that I think is super important. Don’t put Mum in a beautiful lace dress with heels, and have Dad in a pair of boardies and thongs. Make sure you all look like you are going to the same event. And keep our location in mind – high heels at the beach are not very practical or comfortable!
Accessories are awesome – Hats, scarves, cardigans and jackets, headbands, jewellery and beanies are all great to use to change the look and feel of a portrait without needing much effort or causing too much disruption. Layers are the key.
Graphic t-shirts and large comic characters are best avoided – Clothing wrinkles, folds and is sometimes obscured by arms and heads in portraits. There is nothing worse than a cute quote on a t-shirt being cut off because of an unfortunate fold in the top or a strange angle of the camera. So avoid graphics on t-shirts.
Patterns are great, but not on everyone – I love patterns, and there are so many gorgeous dresses and shirts around at the moment with just beautiful prints and patterns. But not everyone in the family and portraits should be in a pattern and make sure your patterns don't clash. It is also a good idea to avoid thin pin stripes as they often look distorted in images.
Shoes can make or break an outfit – Make sure you are happy with the shoes your family members are wearing. They will be in the portraits, and they can really make or break a photo gallery.
Graphic t-shirts and large comic characters are best avoided – Clothing wrinkles, folds and is sometimes obscured by arms and heads in portraits. There is nothing worse than a cute quote on a t-shirt being cut off because of an unfortunate fold in the top or a strange angle of the camera. So avoid graphics on t-shirts.
Patterns are great, but not on everyone – I love patterns, and there are so many gorgeous dresses and shirts around at the moment with just beautiful prints and patterns. But not everyone in the family and portraits should be in a pattern and make sure your patterns don't clash. It is also a good idea to avoid thin pin stripes as they often look distorted in images.
Shoes can make or break an outfit – Make sure you are happy with the shoes your family members are wearing. They will be in the portraits, and they can really make or break a photo gallery.
Spend some time on you - Finally, a Mani & Pedi might mean you don’t cringe at the photos of yourself where you are barefoot on the beach and just finish off your polished outfit, and if hair and makeup will make you feel even more polished, then you may like to book in to have your hair and make up done.
Classic & classy – if you are still not sure what your style is choose something classic, classy, something that won’t date. Soft pastels colours, a lace blouse or dress, a simple linen collared shirt.
Pinterest is a great source of inspiration – But don’t get overwhelmed. Take some inspiration and then find your own style for your portraits. What do you want to be looking at hanging on your wall in 2 or 10 years time? I have a Pinterest Board full of some of my favourite family portrait outfits and palette’s if you want some more inspiration.
Take a photo of your outfits together – Send it through to us if you aren’t sure. Ask yourself if the clothes compliment each other? Do the tones match? Is everyone dressed for the same dress code?
Classic & classy – if you are still not sure what your style is choose something classic, classy, something that won’t date. Soft pastels colours, a lace blouse or dress, a simple linen collared shirt.
Pinterest is a great source of inspiration – But don’t get overwhelmed. Take some inspiration and then find your own style for your portraits. What do you want to be looking at hanging on your wall in 2 or 10 years time? I have a Pinterest Board full of some of my favourite family portrait outfits and palette’s if you want some more inspiration.
Take a photo of your outfits together – Send it through to us if you aren’t sure. Ask yourself if the clothes compliment each other? Do the tones match? Is everyone dressed for the same dress code?
