There are a couple of things that will largely impact your family photography session and help you have the best photos possible. Choosing the best photographer is the first one, followed by choosing the best location and styling your outfits correctly! Unflattering or dated clothes could easily ruin an otherwise perfect image. Even if styling outfits isn’t something you’re comfortable with, selecting the clothes for your photo session doesn’t have to be stressful! By following one of these four formulas you can build the perfect outfits for your photo session!
What To Wear For Your Family Photography Session:
1. Pick Two Colors and Build
To build a two tone color palette for the family choose two complimentary colors that are seasonally appropriate, for example mustard and olive green. Stick to base pieces in your chosen colors, like tops and dresses, making sure they remain the same shade. (Hot Tip: to assure all your clothes are the same shade, buy all the same color from one store, or bring along the pieces you’ve already bought when shopping.) Fill in some pieces with neutrals to make sure it’s not over powering, and your outfits are complete! To ensure all the outfits fit together, have at least one piece of color on each person. No one should be in a full neutral outfit unless that’s your color palette.
To go above and beyond in your styling, keep material in mind too! A mustard and olive green color palette could work for summer or fall sessions, but incorporating a lot of linen pieces in this example helps it feel more summer-y and brings in a great amount of texture!
2. Pick A Color For A Monochrome Palette
Building monochrome outfits is easy because anything goes! All you have to do is pick a color and stick to it. For best results, you should repeat a color (like the navy below) in a lot of outfits to ensure everyone looks cohesive.
Monochrome palettes are helpful for when you are styling from your existing pieces, or when you have older children who may be resistant to putting a lot of thought in to their photo session outfits.
3. Choose One Starting Piece and Build Around It
Got a killer dress in the closet you love to wear? You deserve to, especially if you’re the one putting in the effort of coordinating everyone’s outfits. It’s a small reward you have earned! Start with something like a printed dress or a plaid shirt and build around that piece, having everyone incorporate the color palette from the print.
This way of styling is my favorite for fall and holiday sessions! Plaid can build your color palette for you, whether it’s a fall color scheme or a classic Christmas tartan.
4. Build A Neutral Palette with this Equation:
Denim (or) Khaki + White (or) Gray + Charcoal (or) Tan
For classic images that are sure to look good on any wall in your home, build a neutral palette with this formula! A neutral palette is great because it will match any location for your session.
The use of denim is a great way to make your outfits modern while the images still look classic in your home. Denim rompers, overalls, and chambray shirts make an easy, trendy addition to take your styling to the next level.
Remember, the key to great styling is coordination not duplication, so don’t be afraid to play around with a palette and mix it up as long as they mesh! Commit to laying out all the outfits together to ensure you like the look, and remember to iron everything before your session!
Ready to do this? Yeah you are! Reach out to Mary here to book your family photos!
Based in Nashville, TN and frequently servicing the South Shore of Massachusetts, Slowey Photography is owned and operated by photographer, Mary Slowey. Slowey Photography specializes in senior photos, family sessions, and Irish dance photography.
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