Family Style Guide

Your wardrobe matters

White the heart of the photoshoot will be the love and joy of your family, the closing you choose matters more than you would think. The colors, the fit, the textures – they can really add (or take away) from your photographs.

Below you will find lots of tips on how to style your family for any shoot – including what colors to use, what to avoid, and how to mix and match for the best outcome.

General tips for styling your family

Start with mom first. That’s right – YOU! As a mom who’s had to style her family for a photoshoot, I know what it’s like to concentrate on every detail for your littles ones’ outfits and then panic last minute when there is nothing flattering for you to wear. We often avoid being in front of the camera for a variety of reasons and when we finally pull the trugger on a family photoshot, we panic about how we’ll end up looking in those photos. The truth is that no matter how adorable the captured moment, you’ll love your photos most if you’re comfortable in the way you look. So my advice is to find a gorgeous outfits that not only flatters your figure, but makes you feel like your best self.
Movement is key. When choosing your own dress or outfit, you want to be able to move comfortably. I also love capturing movement in photos so choose something with some give to capture it flowing as you play with your kiddos.
Coordinate, don’t match. Rather than putting everyone in one color or matching identical outfits, use a color scheme or the “x” rule to choose your outfits. Choose one family member to wear a pattern with a variety of colors that appeal to you. I’m a fan of floral maxis for mom that have a number of colors that you could pull from to dress the rest of the family. Then match the colors for the family members so that they are not worn on the same body part. i.e. if dad is wearing a white shirt, aim for white pants/shorts or a white dress rather than a matching white shirt. Make sure that the baby/toddler in the family isn’t wearing the same color as mom and dad as you’ll often end up carrying or holding them. Some examples of coordinating but not matching colors include olive and mustard, brown and tan.
Mix and match textures/patterns/solids. Make sure you have a good mix of patterns/solids to break up the wardrobe. Textures and layers add interest to the photos. Chunky sweaters, jackets paired with silky tops, or rich tones in similar color pallet can all work well. During the Fall, scarves or fur vests can really add dimension. Avoid neon/bold colors near your face though as that will reflect and leave your skin with an odd color cast.
Accessorize. Try to steer clear of super trendy accessories. Rather than piling on jewelry, stick to one or two carefully selected embellishments. You can also use accessories as a way to help flatter your figure. A statement necklace for mom can help draw the eye up and toward the neckline. A belt can help define a waistline.

Some of my favorite places to shop: Free People, Baltic Born, H&M, Stone & Willow, Old Navy, Seraphine, Pinkblush, Lulus.

Some dresses I have in studio: https://www.pinterest.com/ckphotograph/what-to-wear-to-your-photography-session/ckp-studio-closet/

I’ve pulled together some favorites from amazon to get you started: https://www.pinterest.com/ckphotograph/ckp-family-style/

A few things to avoid

Dads in hates/baseball caps
Crocs or worn sneakers
Giant bows that will get in kids’ faces or create shadows on their faces
Bright colors/neon as they will cast a color onto your skin in photos
Short dresses on little girls without bloomers under to hide the diaper
Logos
Clothing that’s too big or too small

Fall/Winter

My favorite colors for the cooler months are earthy tones. Think olive greens, burgundy reds, burnt orange. use more neutral tones to break them up.
Rather than going for bright, consider the muted alternatives.
This is a great time to bring in som extra layers.
Make sure dad’s socks match his pants, not his shoes. Nothing stands out more like a sore thumb than white socks with dark slacks.
Little boys in suspenders will forever have my heart.
Make sure that you are considering the temperature when dressing the kids. A great mood can go sour in seconds if they’re cold. Bring extra layers just in case.

Summer/Spring

Earthy tones photograph beautifully any time of year. Not your thing? Choose a more muted look like soft sages or blush pinks. Neutrals are also a wonderful choise especially for the beach – but try to avoid white as it often does not photograph well.
For toddlers or little girls in dresses, make sure they have a diaper cover or little biker shorts. Our time together will include lots of play.
If you’ve opted for the beach, skip the shoes. Not only is it an unnecessary added stress, but who wants to wear shoes in the sand?

Maternity shoot

Choose a dress that will show off the bump and shows movement. Think long, flowing dresses that move with you as you walk. Try to avoid short dresses.
Show off your beautiful bump – avoid wearing black or dark navy colors as it hides the bump and can be hard to show off all those curves.
Choose fabric that has texture and some give. Avoid stiff cotton because it doesn’t flow nicely and can be super wrinkly. cotton, gauze, crepe, swiss dot, polyester, rayon, lace – choose something that has a nice feel and flow.
If you’re going with a longer session and want to mix and match, bring a second outfit that’s completely different or more casual.
When styling your family, coordinate but do not match. You want to stand out and hi-light the bump.

Newborn/Studio shoot

Start with yourself – choose something that you are going to feel comfortable and beautiful in. Earthy, rusty colors photograph beautifully. Long flowy dresses with texture and movement tend to be more flattering. Aim for a looser fit.
Coordinate your family’s outfits with complimentary colors. Little girls in ruffle dresses, little boys in a nice linen button down or even a plain t-shirt look great. Skip the shoes – bare feet are the cutest.
Dress dad in simple solid top. Dress shirts, henleys or plain t-shirts look great. A light-weight simple sweater also photographs well.
Glasses are really difficult to photograph in the studio as our light will give them a glare. If at all possible – it is best to avoid them. This will allow us to pose more freely rather than constantly check the angles for glares.
And remember – my specialty is in making you look gorgeous in your photos. That means that I will guide you through posing that will create beautiful flattering images.