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I'M KATE

wife + mom to 3 precious children / couples &
wedding photographer in southeastern pennsylvania

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What to Wear for Your Family Session

Tips & Tricks

September 11, 2021

It’s that time of year where families are looking to get updated photos to prepare for Christmas cards or just get some new pictures on the wall or as your phone background! It’s super common for me to hear all of the time from families (mostly from other moms) about trying to figure out what to wear as a family or how to style their outfits. So I’m sharing a few of my best tips to help you style your outfits and decide on what to wear for your next family photo session!

TIPS FOR STYLING YOUR FAMILY SESSION

Coordinated (Not Matching!)

The goal when planning your family’s outfits is to break up the colors and shades so that you’re not all wearing matching colors (like having everyone in blue shirts and khaki pants). The more you can mix it up, the better! The best option is to think about one dominant color for each person and add accent colors that tie in each person’s dominant color. For instance, if one person has burgundy as their dominant color with mustard yellow and navy blue as their accent colors, maybe you want someone else to be in navy blue as their dominant color with burgundy and mustard yellow as accents. Consider searching Pinterest for a color palette inspiration to find something that you like or reminds you of what you already have in your closet!

Dress It Up

There is nothing more flattering on a woman than a long flowy dress or skirt! They are flattering on all body types, they look amazing on camera and bring extra movement and dimension to the photos. Dresses are always flattering, you just have to find the right one for your body type. A lot of times my clients will choose the main outfit for mom and then coordinate all of the other outfits around whatever mom is wearing.

Picking Colors

Bright bold and neon colors can really take away from the focus of the image, so when it comes to family photo sessions, I like to recommend more neutral colors. Of course, you always want to choose colors that you love and want to see your precious family in. Typically, soft muted colors will look wonderful on the camera and fit well into most natural environments for outdoor photo sessions.

Flatter Your Features

Most people have an area of their body that they are self-conscious about. Keeping that in mind when you consider your outfits is key.  For example, three-quarter length sleeves work well for women at creating a slimming effect on the arms. Cap sleeves, skinny straps, and strapless tops have the opposite effect, so usually want to be avoided. If you choose an outfit with one of those, consider a cute jacket, blazer, or cardigan. For women’s shoes, heels elongate the leg and with the forced constant tension on the calves, they look more toned.

Add Layers and Accessories

Adding extra layers will bring added dimension and visual interest to your photos. Pairing an accessory or two can have the same effect.  Make sure that your accessories don’t compete with each other, though. If you have a big statement necklace, go with a more simple bracelet and/or earrings.

For Men

A blazer, sportscoat, or jacket is always going to look sharp on a man! Something that is really important to remember for men is that you want to choose pieces that fit properly. You don’t want your top to be big and baggy, but you also don’t want it to be too tight and popping at the seams. Men tend to look better in long sleeves, and if you want a more casual look, you can just roll those sleeves up.

Avoid Busy Prints and Distracting Patterns

First of all, you don’t want anything with really tiny patterns in the fabric. Really busy patterns, pinstripes, and logos tend to cause distractions within an image and take your eye away from the focus of the picture, which should be your smiling faces!

I hope that these tips help you to think about how you want to style your outfits for your next family photo session and give you some added confidence when preparing for that special time together! All in all, you want to choose outfits for your family that genuinely reflect your style, complement your background setting, and allow you to feel comfortable and confident in what you are wearing!

If you are still looking for an option for family photos this fall, make sure to check out my Fall Mini Sessions!

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