Family Photography: Dressing for your Pictures
August 23, 2010
Whenever a client calls me to schedule a family photo session, I am often asked how they should dress. Many times when you look at the family pictures on display you notice that everyone in the family is dressed to match. An example would be that every person in the family is wearing the exact same color of blue jeans and a white button down shirt. While some may like the idea of everyone looking like they belong together, as a lifestyle photographer I never recommend this to my clients. Here are a few pointers on how to dress to get great family pictures that still reflect the individual traits of each person.
1. Be Unique
Each member of your family is a unique and different person. Let each person dress in a way that is true to themselves. I know very few boys that would wear a white button-down shirt and khaki slacks on a regular basis. If you are a jeans and t-shirt kind of family, maybe that’s what you should wear to get your photos in. (If that feels too casual maybe just get some fun, “dressy” new t-shirts for the whole family.)
Each member of your family is a unique and different person. Let each person dress in a way that is true to themselves. I know very few boys that would wear a white button-down shirt and khaki slacks on a regular basis. If you are a jeans and t-shirt kind of family, maybe that’s what you should wear to get your photos in. (If that feels too casual maybe just get some fun, “dressy” new t-shirts for the whole family.)
2. Accessorize
Accessories are a great way to show your personality and add that splash of color that brings the whole family together, whether it’s big beaded necklace or a pair of brightly colored shoes or even some cool sunglasses.
Accessories are a great way to show your personality and add that splash of color that brings the whole family together, whether it’s big beaded necklace or a pair of brightly colored shoes or even some cool sunglasses.
3. Avoid Being Too Match-y
I honestly am not a fan of what I call “match-y photos”. I find them to be distracting and more often than not superficial and overtly posed. That is not to say you can’t all wear jeans. Or that you shouldn’t all wear blue shirts. Just make sure to show your unique personality in the style of your clothes and through your accessories.
I honestly am not a fan of what I call “match-y photos”. I find them to be distracting and more often than not superficial and overtly posed. That is not to say you can’t all wear jeans. Or that you shouldn’t all wear blue shirts. Just make sure to show your unique personality in the style of your clothes and through your accessories.
4. Coordinate
I know I just got done saying not be too match-y. But you do want to look like you belong together in the sense that dad should not wear a suit if the rest of the family is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Just make sure that you all complement each other.
I know I just got done saying not be too match-y. But you do want to look like you belong together in the sense that dad should not wear a suit if the rest of the family is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Just make sure that you all complement each other.
5. Simple Patterns
It’s best not to wear busy clothes – like big floral prints, polka dots, or stripes. Clothes with a lot of design tend to distract from the subject of the picture – you and your family.
It’s best not to wear busy clothes – like big floral prints, polka dots, or stripes. Clothes with a lot of design tend to distract from the subject of the picture – you and your family.
If you use these five simple guidelines when getting ready for your family photo session, you are sure to get great photos that capture your family’s true personality.
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