6/2/2021: *I am excited to announce that I am now offering Style & Select to help clients coordinate their family's outfits for their next session.*

Here is my Style & Select link. I will send you a code to start browsing styles upon booking if interested.

Start with mom's outfit

Mom or daughter's clothing usually has more detail in their clothing. It's best to have hers chosen first and then work everyone else's clothing around how to best compliment her.

Mom - make sure you wearing something that you love and that you feel great in. You won't love your photo if you don't love what you're wearing.

Choose a color palette

Now that you have one outfit picked out, it's time to figure out what everyone else is wearing. Choose 2 to 3 coordinating colors having the majority of them be neutral colors with one color that stands out and brings the family together. With clothing. Think muted colors and avoid over saturated and bold colors. I have a Pinterest page with some ideas to help with clothing color palettes and coordination.

Coordinate, don't match

It's important to look like you all belong together, but when outfits get too matchy-matchy, it becomes distracting and the photo. Avoid wearing the same color top as your spouse or putting your children in the exact same outfits. You can look at my Pinterest Page for inspiration.

Dress for the weather

If outside, layers are best. Evenings can get chilly, even in the spring and early summer months. A light sweater or vest can still be added and still coordinate with the family's style. Chilly clients tense up and the photo just doesn't come out how everyone had hoped. It's best to plan ahead with extra layers just in case.

Coordinate with your interior style

Think ahead. If you would like to put these photos somewhere in your home, plan it out first. Choose clothing that goes with the sofa in the living room, or the rug in the study or office. Family portraits make wonderful additions to the interior design of your home.

Choose classic over trendy

Trendy clothes are great... now. But think about the clothes that were trendy 15 years ago. Would you still want to see portraits of yourself with layered tank tops and a track jackets? Probably not. Classic is, well, classic.

Only one outfit

Don't overthink it. Adding wardrobe changes to a photo session not only takes up time, but it also makes kids grumpy. Kids don't always love getting their photo taken, but they especially don't like getting their photo taken, having to get dressed, and then getting their photo taken some more. We're trying to take pictures of happy kids.

Just be yourself

Avoid dressing like your friend's neighbor that you saw on Pinterest. Or a celebrity's family photos that you came across in a magazine. If you do that, the photos will come out looking fake and uncomfortable, regardless of how hard you try. Wear something that says "this is me, and this is our family." That's what I want to give you a picture of.