WHAT TO WEAR

FAMILY PHOTO OUTFIT IDEAS?

I thought it would be the perfect to share some of my favourite family photo outfit ideas. I always recommend selecting a colour palette for your session. This will allow you to coordinate outfits with one another. Choose an item you love and feel great in, maybe a dress or a favourite top. Then, coordinate with each other using your consistent colour palette. Your photos will look intentional and natural, without feeling “matchy”.⁠

If you decide to purchase new items for your session, try them on and wear them around the house or out and about. Make sure you feel comfortable in them and you aren’t concerned about straps, see-through fabrics, or worrying about the fit. This will ensure you and your family are as comfortable as possible during the session!
The following colour palettes and sample family photo outfit ideas provide a variety of options, with neutral base colours that look nice printed on holiday cards or displayed on a favourite gallery wall in your home.

Family Outfits: Blue and Blush

There is something about a blue and blush palette that is timeless and adds just enough colour to give your photos interest. These colours will look good in a variety of locations from the beach to the mountains. If you are drawn to polished and classic styles, try the following family photo outfit ideas.

Family Photo Outfits: Autumn Tones

Embrace the change of the seasons and choose a bold autumn inspired colour palette. These muted jewel tones will pop against most backgrounds, giving your photos a cozy and vibrant energy. The following family photo outfit ideas are perfect for anyone drawn to rich and bold colours.

Use These Family Photo Outfit Ideas in Your Session

I highly recommend families and couples schedule at least one formal portrait session every year, if not two or three. We all know the seasons of our life go by so fast. It’s important to document all of the precious memories with our loved ones. These sessions are personal and laid back, typically lasting 30-60 minutes. They are a great way to display updated prints in your home, add to a family album or print in holiday cards. I would be honoured to document these memories for your family too!

What NOT to wear to a photoshoot

Needless to say, your photos will outlast your current obsession with “PINK” sweatshirts, or your favourite ice cream parlour in Myrtle Beach. So I highly recommend you skip the baseball caps and hoodies with logos, brands, cartoons, or public figures. This goes for children as well–your little princess might look incredibly adorable in her Frozen shirt, but do you really want to memorialise a free advertisement for a Disney movie above your mantle? Do you want to look back on that time in your child’s life and see not only your child’s smiling face, but the animated face of her fleeting Disney idol just 5 inches below hers?

Other than obvious brands, logos, or advertisements, a big no-no for your attire is a busy pattern or colour. Your favourite everyday shirt might be one with every colour in the rainbow in a plaid pattern, but I can guarantee that won’t look as amazing in a family photo as it does in your full-length mirror. Certain photographers might recommend plaid, stripes, or bright colours for the occasional shoot. Even still, your photographer will take into consideration how all of the pieces of clothing will compliment each other. Photographers plan the theme and style of the shoot to ultimately reflect their brand (yes, photographers have a brand). Leave behind your small stripes, high contrast patterns, and safety orange hoodie.  These types of patterns can create a dizzying and unflattering pattern in photos.

The final piece of clothing faux pas for you is clothing that is simply too casual. I’m not saying you should show up in your best tuxedo and evening gown, although there certainly shoots where that is appropriate. But if you’re paying for professional photos you may as well dress up at least a little bit as opposed to what you might wear while you marathon Netflix in your bedroom. Specifically, stay away from tank tops with bra straps showing, white tees with subtle pit stains, strapless tops, sweatpants, hats, and jerseys. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule. But unless you’ve specifically discussed/planned otherwise, you can rule these types of clothing out. And definitely don’t wear all matching white tee shirts with jeans. Not only does it border on too casual, but it’s just downright unoriginal and overplayed at this point.