What Do We Wear?

This has to be the most common question families ask me when they book their session. Many families find themselves (let’s be honest, usually it’s the mom of the family, who does all the shopping!) stressed out over coordinating everyone’s outfits, trying to not break the bank with costly ensembles, or worrying kids won’t wear what they’ve chosen. I totally get it, and I’ve been there as a mother. Dressy clothes can be scratchy, or you wait till the last minute, and something arrives in the mail and doesn’t fit! It’s a regular stress-fest to get everyone ready, and it’s one of the major hurdles my families face when they book their photo sessions. Here are my tips to putting together outfits that every member of your family will love!

Start with you! It sounds counterintuitive, but if you’re the mom or dad who is the main person booking the shoot, you need to choose your outfit first. Adult clothes are harder to fit than children’s and you often have less options to choose from. Select one person’s outfit from head to toe (including shoes), before selecting everyone else’s. If you’re the mom, you may be struggling to find something you love and feel comfortable in, and maybe you wish you could get “more in shape” before the shoot; let me assure you to find your own outfit first, and go ahead and splurge on something you feel amazing in. It reflects in your images, and if you throw on something at the last second that doesn’t fit properly, you will have a tough time feeling confident for the whole session.
Begin with a color palette, and when in doubt, choose neutral tones: If you’re booking fall photos, you can never go wrong with colors like navy, burgundy, mustard, and grey. These are universally flattering, look beautiful, and also fit into most home decor without issues. Best of all, these type of tones also look beautiful on Christmas or holiday cards. If you aren’t sure what colors you want to use, put one family member into a print, and fill everyone else’s outfits in with neutral colors like taupe, beige, cream, or brown to coordinate with the print. Try not to have more than two members of your family in prints, and avoid large, oversized prints as they are distracting in a group photo and can look dated.
Don’t put everyone in exactly matching outfits: Gone are the days of the nineties, when the “white tops and jeans” photos were all the rage! In fact, we recommend that families do not wear identical outfits as each other. It can blend together in the photos, and make you look like one person with multiple limbs! Instead of matching outfits, stick to similar colors, and vary the textures and styles, to give more interest and depth to the photos.
Ask kids to be part of choosing their outfits: It’s hard to release control when you want the perfect Christmas card photo, but trust me when I say, if a child has some part in helping pick their clothes, they are much more likely to wear them happily. Select a few outfits that you personally can live with and like, and then present them to your older children (usually ages 5 and up are old enough to participate in the decision) and let them make the final call. Avoid scratchy, rough fabrics, and add slips underneath if there are things like sequins or linen that can make a little one uncomfortable.
Shop for quality brands: Good quality clothes show up well in photos, especially when they fit properly. Don’t be afraid to shop secondhand for brands like Anthropologie, JCrew, GAP, or Lands End, and get things that fit perfectly. Have them tailored if needed, especially pant hems or sleeves. If budget is an issue, use online things like Poshmark to stretch your money a little more.

If you need more help with your family’s outfits, please let me know. I’d be happy to help lend a listening ear, or look over what you’ve started putting together!

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