The thought of planning outfits for your session can at times feel like effort. I’m here to help throughout the entire process. With suggestions, my best tips as well as a client closet which you are welcome to borrow from. Comfort is so important, if a child is uncomfortable in their clothing it is going to show, and they will be less engaged with me. You want your images to be a reflection of YOU, so dress in a way that reflects this, but be mindful of choosing pieces of clothing that are timeless over trendy. How do you want to display your images, what would look good with the colours in your home? When thinking about outfit choices, consider something that would compliment yourself and best fit your personality. You will hopefully be staring at these images for years to come.
Choose 3-4 colours and use this as your starting place. Once you have your palette, incorporate the colours by using varying solids, layers and patterns. Just be mindful of the patterns, it should coordinate, not take over. I always love to use the colour wheel to find shades that compliment one another. If you need help with this, let me know. I’m happy to show you. Contrasting colours as well as monochromatic looks great in photos too. It is also worth mentioning here that colour casts on skin when the sun is shining, avoid colours like magenta, red and even bright blue during summer months. These will be reflected onto your face with sunlight.
Starting off with one outfit and then pulling inspiration from it such as the colours and style to dress everyone else often works well. If going for something with prints, I suggest muted and smaller in size patterns to avoid your image being too busy. 1 print/pattern piece per family is more than enough, any more and the outfits take over the image when it should be about you. Once the first outfit is established, it is then much easier to start pulling pieces together with coordinating colours. Layers and accessories can tie everything together as well to help create a cohesive look. Complimenting colours can bring attention to each individual member of your family as well as add vibrancy to your portraits.
Extra layers and texture always bring some additional depth to your images which is AMAZING! Layers can also be taken on and off for different looks throughout our time together as well. Every season is a new opportunity for different options. Layers to consider are scarves, hats, jackets, cardigans, statement jewellery, belts, hair pieces and headbands. Textures to consider are knit, lace, corduroy, denim, velvet, linen, crepe, satin, tulle & viscose. Embellishments on clothing can be lovely too.
The overused white T-shirt and denim jeans deserves a mention here. While this does actually photograph well, it absolutely does not when everyone wears the same exact thing. Your own little family is so unique. Your images should be too. Don’t take the same portraits everyone else does. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’m most likely not the photographer for you.
If you do want to go with a slight denim theme for your images, here is the perfect example on how to do it! First we have dad in some long shorts with a white shirt, mum in a dress with her jacket, Darcey with dungarees and Ruby at the front who isn’t in any denim at all, but instead a pattern to help break it all up. None of them are wearing the same pieces, all individual to suit each person and it looks great! Had they all have been wearing the same thing, it would clash. I promise, your images will look so much better with coordination.
Things to avoid
neon (including magenta/bright pink/orange etc)
logos or text on shirts/jackets
matching clothes
wrinkles in clothing
white tee and jeans
busy clothing pieces that take over the image
Things to consider
coordinate not match
colour palette & colour wheel
layers and accessories
textured clothing, patterns used
timeless, classic clothing
keep your session location in mind
