A step by step process to planning your outfits for family photos
Choose the overall look you are going for
Did you take casual family pictures last year? Have you always wanted to take family photos in formal wear? Think up the look you are going for! This is a great first step in planning your family photo outfits! You could think of three words you’d like to describe your family photos such as, casual, formal, playful, classy, relaxed and then think of which clothing category you’d like from there.
Evaluate the location of the photos and think about how your outfits will look in that setting
Will you be in an industrial setting? Is it your first time taking photos in an urban setting? Are you taking family photos in a studio or out in nature? Really, any outfit can work in any setting! Think about the location and season when planning your photos. Something bright orange might blend in with fall foliage. Something dark green might blend in with the mountains in the summer. Consider that when planning your outfits so you can pick outfits that will complement the setting you are in and make your beautiful faces stand out!
What will the weather be like?
I can’t say this enough!! It is important to dress appropriately for the weather! You don’t want to be overdressed for the summer heat and be sweating the whole time. We want to keep everyone as happy as possible. You also don’t want to be underdressed in the winter or Spring and have cold, sad kids the whole photoshoot. Layer up and cover more skin in the colder months and wear shorts and short sleeves or flowy dresses in the warmer months! Your outfit choice can really affect the attitudes at your family session.
Check your closet for your favorite outfit and accessories
Oftentimes we think we need to buy new clothes for family photos but you absolutely do not! Shop your closets very first and see if there is something you love that you think will photograph well! If you have an outfit you feel confident in, that is a great choice! Confidence looks great on everyone. It is also helpful to keep an eye out for a dress or outfit you would love to use for family photos when you are just out doing regular shopping.
Choose a neutral color (or a few) as a base color
I feel like this is a great place to start when taking family photos. It looks really nice when there is a base neutral color. If there is a mix of black dress pants, navy, and grey dress pants it will be really busy and possibly distracting. Picking a couple neutral colors as a base will help your family photos all coordinate together! Some of my favorite base colors are white, cream, and light blues.
Choose pants style for men
In the summer, all of the men often wear shorts. You can totally mix and match long pants or jeans with shorts, but think about which styles and textures coordinate well together. If your colors are blue and beige, consider having one person wear blue jeans and the other wear beige pants and opposite colors in shirts to break up the colors. It is also really nice when all of the men wear the same color of pants to tie it all together.
Choose clothing style for women
Often, all women choose to wear dresses or something a bit fancier. Sometimes they choose to all wear pants or jeans; however, there is a mix of both! A good mix is great, but decide if you are all going to be dressed up a bit more, or a bit more casual!
Choose a pop of color
A pop of color can add a lot to your family photos. It doesn’t have to be super bright or saturated, but adding a color is a great way to add some contrast to your family photos. Some of my favorite pops of color for family pictures are light pink and light yellow.
Accessorize
Don’t forget the accessories! Accessories add so much to your picture. Jewelry compliments your outfit and also makes the photo more visually interesting. Hair bows for little girls are really cute and nice watches for men add a nice touch as well!
Planning family photos can be hard at first, but it gets easier with time! Pay attention to Pinterest boards and notice what you like and don’t like!
Do you love family picture planning or dread it?
August 22, 2022
Kylee Ann Team