Getting your kids dressed appropriately on a day to day basis while avoiding a deluge of protests is hard enough. But coordinating outfits for your entire family can be akin to something out of a horror film. Don’t fret, this guide will help you choose the perfect family photo outfits and avoid an accompanying headache.
Things to Consider
Before we can dive into styling and coordinating outfits, there are some factors that need to be considered.
Where Are You Taking Your Portraits?
The location of your family portraits is a determining factor in your color scheme, style, and even accessories. For instance, if you and the fam are headed to the middle of a wooded forest for some fall foliage, you’ll probably want to avoid stiletto pumps. Pictures at the beach require a breezy, casual wardrobe, while a busy city location can be more flexible in terms of whether you go casual or formal.
How’s the Weather?
Has it been a sweltering autumn or perhaps an especially chilly spring? Think about that when you’re choosing what your family will wear. Shorts, dresses, and sleeveless tops are spring staples, but if the sun refuses to shine, opt for something that will keep your clan from shivering through your photo session. You can still incorporate bright shades and floral patterns, just do it with a cardigan or pants.
Where Will You Display Your Portraits?
You might think it’s premature to decide where to hang your pictures before they exist, but this little bit of forethought is necessary to ensure that your wardrobe color scheme coordinates with your home decor. If you already have a wall in mind that is in desperate need of art, let us know! We can keep that in mind during your session to make sure we get the right photo, whether it’s a panoramic horizontal piece to span a mantel or a gallery wall in your hallway that combines individuals with family shots.
Is it Comfortable?
So you found the perfect dress for your sweet tot, but the tulle is a tad itchy. Guess what? That dress is not perfect. It might look beautiful, but your little one will be pulling, tugging, and whining the whole time she is wearing it. Keep comfort level in mind. Kids, and dads for that matter, have a hard time hiding their emotions. And if something is too tight or too scratchy, they won’t be able to relax enough to give us a genuine smile.
How Will You Accessorize?
Accessories are a must when it comes to family portraits. They add texture and interest that keeps your portraits from falling flat. But the key to successful accessorizing is moderation. Not everyone in your family should have an accessory, solely for the sake of adding something to their outfit. We don’t want it to be distracting or busy. Instead, choose one or two people who might already wear an accessory like a scarf, necklace, or hat. It should be a natural addition and fit their personality.
Are the Patterns Too Busy?
You don’t have to be afraid to add patterns to your family’s wardrobe. It can seem like a daunting task, but you don’t have to stick to solids. As long as the pattern isn’t too small or busy, you’re good to go! Remember to focus on balance. Not everyone needs a pattern. It’s all about coordinating, not matching.
Let’s Get Styling
Now that you have a few things to keep in mind while you’re choose outfits, here are some tried and true ways to style for your photoshoot with ease.
1. Start with One Outfit
Don’t stress yourself out by trying to style all 4 or 5 (or 8) outfits at once. Complete one single outfit and build the rest from there. It helps if the first outfit has a few colors or a pattern. Then you can create your color scheme from that look to incorporate in the rest of the family’s clothes.
2. Choose a Simple Color Scheme
If you have a solid color scheme as a foundation, it’s pretty simple to choose pieces that fit within the scheme. Keeping the colors neutral will guarantee that you don’t have any accidental clashes. Just make sure you don’t fall into the ‘matchy-matchy’ trap. There’s a fine line between five outfits that utilize the same colors, and five outfits that are identical.
3. Style Around a Theme
Choosing a central theme is an easy way to make sure the overall style of your family’s outfits is cohesive. Your portrait session location will have a big impact on your theme. Going back to our beach example from before, you might choose a relaxed, beachy theme which will lend itself well to lightweight fabrics and pastel colors.
4. Shop for Clothing Collections
Stores these days make it almost too easy to choose coordinating outfits for the whole family. Walk into Old Navy and what do you see? A family of mannequins that look like they’re headed to their portrait session. If you don’t have the confidence to choose wardrobe pieces yourself, leave it to the professionals. It’s as easy as fighting off the crowds to find the right size and shade.
5. Let Your Family Have Input
I can understand how this might seem like a dicey suggestion. Did I really just recommend that you let your children have a say in what they wear? Sort of, just hear me out. This method of styling is more geared towards extended family photo shoots or those with a group of adults. Not everyone is going to want to buy something new for family pictures. Opening it up to opinions allows your family members the option of working with what they have, or suggesting colors they are comfortable wearing.