Prepping outfits for a family photo session can feel overwhelming, to say the least! You want to portray your unique personalities, but still have a cohesive look for timeless photographs. I get it! As your Lifestyle Photographer, my goal is to take the stress out of planning, so that you can simply show up to your session and enjoy the time together. To help ease the burden of planning, I have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts for styling your family. Use these tips, along with my curated Pinterest Inspiration Board, to create a beautiful and cohesive style.
Lifestyle Photo Session Style Tips
Do these to maximize interest
Add Layers and Accessories
When choosing your outfits, the first thing to consider is the time of year. Each season calls for a variety of accessories, from hats and scarves, to earrings, bracelets, and cute jackets. All of these items add extra visual interest, making the viewer’s eye draw straight to you in your photos!
Choose one or two small patterns
I am a big fan of selecting the outfit of one person (usually mama), and working from there to decide the overall color palette. Using the colors within a small pattern can help us tie everyone else’s outfits together.
Keep it Simple
When in doubt, lean in to earthy colors, and consider the colors already present in your home. These photos are meant to hang on your walls, so we don’t want the colors to clash! As I have developed my brand, I tend to stick with warmer earth tones for the best pop of color no matter the season.
Don’t do these to distract from the moment
Choose the same outfit for everyone
Listen, I know trends come and go, but some trends can stay gone, and I’m not afraid to say it. Matching outfits for everyone is not it, friends. We are aiming to coordinate, not match!
Wear clothes with big logos or heavy patterns
Though I said earlier that we want to create interest within our outfits, there is such a thing as too much interest. Big logos or heavy patterns (think buffalo plaid or giant flowers) create a distraction away from your faces and the moment we are capturing. Not only this, but these can be incredibly difficult to edit on my end!
Wear overly baggy clothing
I always want you to feel comfortable and confident in your clothing, first and foremost, but wearing overly baggy clothing can be unflattering for photos. We want to accentuate your amazing features! I typically recommend dresses and skirts be utilized in the outfits where appropriate because they add an amazing level of movement, but we want to be sure that they fit properly.
Style Tips for Your Lifestyle Photo Session
As I said, I completely understand that selecting wardrobe for your session can be a hassle. Use these tips to help alleviate the stress and uncertainty, but if you’re wanting to be even more hands-off, every session with me includes access to the Client Closet with dresses for adults and children, and styling assistance. I can easily send you options for the whole family–from the Client Closet or my favorite shops–or help coordinate what is already in your own closet! My goal is to make this process as stress-free as possible for each one of my clients.
If you are looking for more Philadelphia motherhood and family content, then check out the blog links below!
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