What to wear for your family session
You have scheduled a session for your family and now it is time to figure out what to wear. Session wardrobe is the hottest topic for clients and there really are just a few things to think about when putting together what to wear for your session. Dressing the whole family can and should be simple and should not break the bank. Read on to see some of my best tips on choosing outfits for your photo day.
Comfort is key!
Everyone should be comfortable. Especially the kids! I have not met a kid that has a good time having photos taken if they aren’t comfortable. White tees or button ups look great on all skin tones. I love the classic look and comfort of jeans and a tee. Just be sure to mix it up to avoid everyone wearing the same color top and bottom.
2. The best colors for everyone!
Use complementary color palettes. Bright colors can create a skin caste in your images. That means if you are holding your child while they are wearing a red or green shirt, your skin may end up with a red or green tint. Neutral and earth tones work best. Comfy cotton neutrals for kids are an excellent go to and can be mixed up a bit so that the whole family is in different but complementary tones. You want to coordinate your outfits but not match.
3. Feel good in what you are wearing:
We are our most authentic and confident version of ourselves when we feel good in what we are wearing. When choosing outfits for your photo session, make sure that you are choosing things that represent your unique style.
Accessories are great for representing personality. Hats, sunglasses, scarves, and jewelry are all encouraged. Watches are items that I would encourage not wearing unless it holds special meaning to you. Hands portray a lot of emotion in images and most of the time watches become a distraction.
Child items (such as a special blanket or stuffy) are great at capturing a particular phase for your kiddo and are encouraged!
In the collage below, you can see a variety of family session images. These are all clients that I have photographed in various seasons and in various outdoor locations. You can see everyone has something unique on and there are different clothing types or patterns that still look complementary to the outfits of their group. Whites, blues, neutrals, and pastel shades are all perfect for not interfering with skin tones in images. I love seeing the richer colors like mustard yellow and the rust color in the fall. It complements the green in the grass for a fall session outdoors really well.
4. Consider the weather:
Fall in Seattle is generally cold. It is also gorgeous with all of the changing colors and I can see why it is my busiest time of year for outdoor sessions. The best results come when everyone during a session is comfortable. Always bring layers and a warm coat to take on and off as we move through our session. I recommend also bringing a blanket and hat if you have small children. I’ll have you bundle them a bit between photographs to make sure they aren’t getting too cold. For summer sessions, be sure to apply sunblock prior to meeting for our session!
