One of the most daunting tasks associated with family photos is finding the perfect outfits. Between the various preferences of your family members and the time it takes to shop for clothes, it can sound like a big job! But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be! Through my years as a family photographer, I have learned so many things that will make your experience a little bit easier.

In this blog post, I want to outline five things to keep in mind that will make planning outfits simple and straightforward. Let’s dive right in!

Time of Year

One of the very first things to consider when planning outfits for your family is the time of year you’re scheduled to shoot in. While you may not be able to predict the exact forecast for your shoot, think about the typical weather patterns for your area. For example, snowy winter sessions call for cozy knits and good coats, while summer shoots are the perfect time for loose and lightweight fabrics. 

Location

After you have a good idea about what the weather will require of your outfits, it’s time to think about the location of your shoot. Dressing in a way that compliments the background will help your photos feel cohesive and authentic. This goes for the style and the color of your clothing, including patterns and textures. As a good rule of thumb, natural tones look great in outdoor photos. Muted, earthy colors are also easier to match to one another, which leads us right to the next tip: coordination!

Coordination

Family photos are a fun opportunity for each member of your crew to showcase their personal style. When you’re putting outfits together, don’t be afraid to let individual preferences shine through for your kids. At the same time, it’s important that your clothes feel cohesive. So, how can you create outfits that coordinate without being too matchy-matchy? Choose 3-4 colors to base everyone’s outfits on, and allow your family members to find items they like within those colors. Try to avoid things that will detract from your happy smiling faces, like overly busy patterns and big logos. 

Adding Interest

One of my favorite ways to level up family photo outfits is to have fun with the materials you dress in! Adding textures like denim, lace, knits, corduroy, or linens can help differentiate each outfit, even if you’re wearing the same color. Accessories are also a family photo must-have! They are a great way to allow individual personalities to shine through, whether with jewelry, socks, scarves, or hats. Browsing Pinterest is a great way to gather inspiration for different outfit textures and accessories. 

Comfort

Last but certainly not least, when you’re assembling family photo attire, make sure everyone feels comfortable in their clothing. The last thing you want is to feel like your clothes are so tight that movement is restricted or so loose that it will need to be adjusted throughout the session. Take it from someone who has photographed countless families, the more comfortable you feel, the more natural your smiles will be. The number one thing that will make you feel beautiful in your photos is how you feel. So take into consideration fabrics that may be itchy or clothes that just don’t fit right. 

Your family photo experience should be fun and memorable, and that starts the moment you book your session! I hope following these tips will take some stress off your plate so you can look forward to getting to hang out with your family and get some beautiful photos along the way.