What to Wear for Family Portraits
Spring is on the way and our spots are starting to fill up for family sessions! You’ve booked your family portrait session and now have to figure out how to dress your sweet family. I’ve compiled a session guide with tips on what to wear for your family portraits. Please read on for a few of my favorite tips and tricks for family portrait sessions. With a bit of planning, your session will be fun and relaxing.
Where to begin?
The days of “everyone in khakis and a white shirt” are gone. Instead of all matching outfits, choose a palette of coordinating colors that are represented across all of the family’s outfits. I like to start the process by choosing an outfit that Mom feels great in, and then build the style of the rest of the family around that. Choose comfortable outfits that will allow freedom to move and play with your family. Many poses during a session involve holding or carrying your children, so it is important to choose clothing that allows you to do so without wrinkling easily or slipping off of your shoulders, etc.
Your photos should look timeless, so start with one or two neutral shades (think white, cream, gray, or beige), and then add some pops of color. While it is great to embrace colors and small prints as accents, be sure to stay away from large and mixed patterns when possible.
When thinking about what to wear for your family portraits, be sure to consider:
The session location – You don’t want to blend into the background, so consider looking at colors that will stand out against greenery.
The season – Deeper hues for fall/winter, lighter colors for spring/summer. Check out our full family guide for detailed instructions and examples.
Your home decor – Your wall art should fit the room where it is displayed. Think about the finished products that you are envisioning and how you’d like the portraits to be displayed. If your home is filled with all muted tones, perhaps a session with bright and bold colors is not the best choice.
It’s all in the details
Now that you have chosen your clothing for your family portraits, it is time to consider all of the little details.
Layers + Textures
Layers like jackets, cardigans, and vests provide depth. Textures such as knits, lace, and denim add interest. When used together, it’s a winning combination!
Accessories
Complete your look by adding headbands, jewelry, or a colorful scarf for some of your portraits. It’s a great way to show off your personality, without taking over the focus of the photoshoot.
Hands and nails
Your hands will be holding, hugging, and snuggling your children in many of your photos, so make sure everyone has clean and trimmed nails with no chipped nail polish.
Are you ready to start planning your family portrait session?
We offer family portrait sessions here in our Cuyahoga Falls studio or at the location of your choice. We have many favorite spots in our beautiful community and are always happy to make recommendations to fit your vision. Be sure to fill out our contact form for detailed information and access to our full family portrait session guide!
