What To Wear To A Family Session – My 5 Tips to Help You Out

Samantha George Photography | Tampa, Fl

I think for some, this is a hard question to answer. If you find yourself scrolling through Pinterest at 1 am, hoping you’ll come across something that sparks your interest, then this post is for you.  Here are my 5 tips, that I think can help while you put together your family’s outfits.

1. Decide on a color palette

Deciding what colors you want to wear is the best place to start. One easy keyword or phrase to search on Pinterest is, “Spring color palette”, or whatever season you are dressing for. This will give you an idea of what colors work best together. My favorites are: grey, white, beige, olive green, and navy blue (think earth tones).

2. Start with one piece and build around it

If you happen to find your daughter’s dress first, then build the rest of the outfits around that one. That makes the whole process a lot easier to tackle. If Dad is wearing stripes, then your son could wear a solid color shirt etc. Mixing colors and patterns is a great way to help your session feel like you and give it some dimension.

3. Coordinate outfits instead of matching

Having everyone match perfectly tends to look dated, and pictures seem to lose dimension.  Choosing neutral colors with different patterns and textures will photograph best. Adding a pop of color is perfectly fine too, but you’ll want to be careful with what colors you chose.  Avoid colors that are considered “hot” or “neon”. They leave a color cast on the skin that is really hard to edit out. Also try to avoid anything with writing or Brand names like "Nike". 

4. Consider your location

If you are shooting this years session in a field of green grass, choosing a solid green dress might not be the best idea. Remember that grass can reflect and leave a strong color cast on lighter skin tones. 

5. Picking accessories

Less is always more. Adding a simple bow or headband is very flattering to young girls. Little boys always look adorable in a bow tie or suspenders. Here are some other accessories to consider:

bow ties

bows or headbands

suspenders

knee socks for girls

necklace or bracelet for mom

flower crown

non-baseball style hats

By no means are these rules for any session. These are just my suggestions, that in my opinion, photograph well. If all else fails, reach out to your photographer and ask for help on how to work with what you have!