How to Dress for Family Photos

A couple of weeks ago we took some family photos. I thought I would share some of my tips on selecting clothing for a family photo shoot. 

1. First thing you want to do is think about location. I find that picking the location helps you decide what style and colors of clothing to choose. At first I thought we were going to take our pictures against a blue wall (which may have changed what we wore), but we ended up taking them in an old downtown area instead.

2. Pick a style and have the whole family stick to that style, meaning don't have someone really dressed up and the rest of the family casual. Also, have fun and pick a style that represents you and your family. 

3. Next, select a color palette. I find it helps to have at least 3 colors even if the third color is just a pop of color. Select colors you like and that look good on your family, or select colors that are in style especially if you plan on buying new things. If you have a piece of clothing you love and know you want to wear, start with that. I picked this orange shirt for my boy because when he wears it his blue eyes really pop.

4. Start with a foundation piece, a piece of clothing you can use to pick out the rest of the items. I tend to start with the girls because they have more choices and it is easier to find something simple that coordinates for the boys. (Although sometimes I start with the baby because you are limited on what they can wear because they don't have as many choices). For our pictures I started with my dress and my baby's orange shirt (which actually helped to determine my color scheme).

5. Mix it up. Don't put everyone in the same colored top and bottom (we all have old family photos like this). Feel free to use pattern, but don't overdo it and be sure to use different size patterns to balance it out. In our picture I am wearing the main pattern, but my son is wearing small striped shorts. If he wore a busier pattern on his shorts they may have competed with my dress. Also, try to avoid logos or words, because those items can be distracting.

6. Layer it. Using layers really helps to create more visual interest. In the summer this can be hard to do because it's so hot, but even just adding a different colored t-shirt under a shirt or putting on a belt can really add to your photo.

7. Lay out each person's outfit to visualize the overall look. This is wear you can really see if you need more color here or there or if you should have someone wear a different colored top or bottom. Don't worry about matching exactly (notice my belt and my boy's shirt). You want to blend without matching exactly.