Remember the 90s and early 2000s? Those traumatic family photos? The ones where everyone is wearing the exact same crispy white polo, stiff khakis, running around barefoot in the sand? Same, and I don't think any of us want to recreate those days! The aesthetic has shifted, and modern moms want "lifestyle" photos, candid shots of their kids running in the grass, searching for Easter eggs in the backyard, and walking on the shore.
Unfortunately, getting those beautiful candid beach photos can be nearly impossible. Kids are unpredictable, running around, people are late, when it's time for the big picture someone is always missing... it can be a really tremendous hassle. How can you have the family photos of your dreams without losing your mind getting everything organized? We've got you covered. Effortless photos start with effortless outfits, and we've curated a guide just for you!
The Secret
You've called the photographer, set the date, have it in everyone's calendar, and now it's time to get the outfits together. The more kids you have, the more difficult family photos become. Finding exact matching blues for you, your partner, and your three kids is impossible. The secret is to pick one color as your anchor, then pick outfit pieces in that color family in a variety of different textures.
A good anchor color for this time of year would be sage green, chambray, or marine blue. Then you pick one or two (never more) neutral colors to pair with your anchor color, and you build the looks from there.
Let's use some of the products from our current lineup as examples!
Put mom in the Beatrice Dress in Sky Stripe first, and teen daughter can wear a coordinating blue gingham set to match. Little sister gets the Betsy Dress in Summer Ditsy and the matching bow to compliment mom's blues with a fun floral print, and baby brother can slip into the chambray Oakley Romper to pull the whole look together.
Different fabric adds depth to photos, so even though all of the blue here is in the same family, the stripes, the florals, the gingham, the solid color, all bring visual variety, making the photos look cohesive and high-quality.
Rule #1: Dress Mom First
Too many moms out there have made the deadly mistake of picking out all of their kids' outfits first, then all of a sudden it's two days before Easter and she's scrambling to find something for her to wear that matches all of these other looks. Moms first, the rest of the family after. Picking a central outfit to style around is key here, you don't want to have a bunch of coordinating looks on hand and then have to find one specific item to match all of them.
While you're picking out your outfit piece, consider if you want to do a dress, or style separate pieces together. Remember you're sticking to a color palette here, one "anchor" and no more than two neutrals, so don't pick an outfit that has a huge variety of colors, contrasting patterns, etc. Styling yourself in mostly neutrals with a few accessories for color, while letting your kiddos wear the more vibrant colors is a great aesthetic option as well.
Check out our new arrivals for women to find your outfit inspo!
Coordinating the Kids
Repeat the mantra "siblings, not twins" to yourself while you're styling your kids' looks (unless, of course, you do have twins). Remember to stick with your anchor color and one/two neutrals while you're selecting outfit pieces.
Consider the material and the fabric. The same shade of blue on an organic cotton button-down shirt vs. a linen skirt can look very different in photos while still coordinating beautifully. Consider the pattern. Both kids can wear garments with a neutral base, while little sister has a blue floral print and big brother is rocking that same blue in pinstripes!
It can be fun mix-matching patterns, too. Say little sister is wearing that beautiful blue floral dress. Why not put big brother in a tie with the same blue floral print? It's subtle, adds depth to the photo, and makes them look even more coordinated and sweet.
Make sure you're putting your kids in clothes they can move and play around in! The goal here is to curate a photoshoot with beautiful candid shots of your loved ones. If the outfit is uncomfortable or stiff, your kid is uncomfortable, and it will 100% show on camera!
PS: We have a full guide on coordinating sibling looks!
Let the Wardrobe do the Work
Let's face it, moms. At the end of the day, no guide or quick tip post will result in a 100% perfect, effortless photoshoot. The perfect "everyone look and say cheese" family photo is a myth--things happen! That being said, sometimes the best pictures ever are the chaotic candid shots of the kids acting crazy!
Remember, we live in Wilmington, not a formal studio! The sea breeze will blow, things will get wet, the humidity can frizz your hair a little, and you'll probably get sand everywhere. But as long as the outfits flow, your work is done, mom. Let the beach do its thing, trust the photographer, and enjoy watching your kids have fun. When you have a coordinated wardrobe for your family photos, you can count on a successful photoshoot, stunning pictures, and all of the best memories.
Ready to start prepping the perfect family photos? Check out our Spring Edit for:
Or come into the shop and let us help style you for Easter weekend and your big spring family photos!