Preparing outfits for a family photo session can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you’re doing so without any help. That’s why I’ve put together this resource for you to have everything you need to get started, all in one place. Before you begin choosing options from your closet or going shopping, take a moment to look through this list of essential tips so you can know what to look for. I am always happy to help get your outfits in order, free of charge.

DECIDE ON A COLOR SCHEME

When deciding on colors it’s important to have the right balance of both variety and similarity. Location and the time of year both play factors in deciding what to wear. Knowing what colors compliment each other well can be complicated. Please check out my Pinterest board for some inspiration!

AVOID BRIGHT, HIGHLY SATURATED COLORS

Using bright, highly saturated colors in your photo session can be very distracting, taking away from the main focus of your images, which should be the joyful and sweet moments that you share with your family. For that reason it’s always best to choose natural, earthy tones as much as possible. This will give your images a more natural look and a feeling of simplicity. 

AVOID GRAPHICS AND LOGOS

In all circumstances you will want to avoid using clothing items that have large, visible graphics and logos on them. Just like with highly saturated colors, this is because they are distracting.

LIMIT PATTERNS TO ONE ITEM OF CLOTHING MAXIMUM

The safest way to avoid busy, clashing patterns is to keep things simple and use solid colors. If there’s one item of clothing with a pattern that you really love, just plan on making that one item the only pattern included for the whole group.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT COMFORT

Make sure you give yourself enough time to try out everyone’s outfits in advance so you know they fit properly and don’t have irritating textures or tags. Comfort is key!

Keep in mind that you can also take certain layers on and off as needed!