I get lots of questions about how the family should dress for the a photo session, so I figured I'd write out my opinion here.
1. The most important rule I can say is "BE YOURSELF" don't dress your family or yourself into something that doesn't match your personality. If you are the more artsy and eclectic style family, don't dress in suite and tie. Now is also not the time to see if you daughter will finally wear the cute headband that she cries hysterically over every time you attempt to put it on her. Dress in something that is comfortable for you. This is also not the time to test if a certain styles looks good on you like wearing skinny jeans for the first time and your worried that you look bad. Its also not a good idea to start wearing 5 inch heels if that you've never done before.
2. With the above stated…it doesn't mean you should wear your everyday baggy jeans or yoga pants either…Its also not the time to just throw on a t-shirt for hubster with paint stains on the side…nor does it mean that a sweatshirt will look good either.
3. For the ladies: Wear some sort of make-up that is natural to you. Don't over do it with the heavy eye make-up and try to avoid shiny make-up like eye shadows and powders.
4. If you have a zit or any other facial blemish don't over do it with make-up either, sometimes its much more easier to photoshop it out then to try to blend skin tones.
5. Don't show up wearing the same clothes: White tops with blue jeans… All black, white tops with khakis. Coordinate your colors.
NO:
YES:
borrowed image from another awesome photographer by Heather Gibb
6. Along with coordinating your colors, coordinate your styles. Don't show with 5 inch silhouettes heels with a dressy outfit if the rest of the family is wearing more casual clothes.
7. Avoid crazy and many patterns on family members… One pattern on one person in the family would look awesome.
No:
thank you - awckwardfamiliy.com
Pick a color, and use different shades for everyone in at least one article of clothes for instance yellow. Dad can have a dark grey button down shirt, mom can have a mustered yellow cardigan under a darker color, daughter can have a brighter yellow skirt with a grey top, and the son can have a yellow and grey striped shirt.
Pick a style and stick with it. Decide are you going to go casual for a photo shoot at the lake, dressy for a photoshoot in the city.
7. Wear what is comfortable for you. Don't wear clothes that you have to suck in your belly, constantly tug on the sweater of pull up the straps. Also wear comfortable shoes for walking.
8.. I love props….If you have ideas for props or want to include something special with your photo shoot. Give me a shout earlier in advance so I can plan accordingly. Quilts, blankets, chairs, letters, signs, suitcases are all good things to use.
http://ablissfulnest.com/2012/01/tips-hints-props-for-great-photographs.html
And finally:
Bring your personality.
Smile, dance, sing, jump, roll down the hill…what ever makes your family happy is what I want to capture…Its those moments when I can capture the pure delight of your little one laughing while you make funny faces…The love that captured as you hold you baby in your hands…The emotions of the child closing your eyes with their tiny hands. Your true personality is what will make your pictures perfect.
Here is a little info graphic that covers all the basics!
