Family photos are a great way to capture memories and create lasting keepsakes. But let's be honest, dressing the whole family for a photo shoot can be a daunting task. You want everyone to look their best, but you also want to avoid any fashion faux pas that could haunt you for years to come. Don't worry, we've got you covered with some tips and tricks to help you dress your clan in style (and maybe even a little bit of quirkiness).
1. Coordinate, Don't Match
Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same color shirt and jeans. Instead, opt for coordinating colors and patterns that complement each other. In my opinion, plaid is a neutral. You don't want everyone wearing plaid, but people always think only one person in the photo can have patterns and that simply isn't true. You can mix florals, textures, plaids etc. and just keep the same general color pallet.
I also feel like this might be a good time to note that I do love matching siblings or mother/child combos. I would recommend holding off on identical matching outfits until your child is standing so you're not holding them in every photo looking like conjoined twins.
Basically, we want to avoid you looking like this!!
2. Embrace Your Personalities
Family photos should reflect your family's unique personality. This is especially true when it comes to kids. While I cannot condone wearing a cringy character t-shirt in your family photo, consider bringing your child's favorite toy to join in on the photoshoot. Pro Tip: Save this until after you have gotten a couple of pictures of just the family, you can use this as leverage once they lose interest in taking photos.
3. Dress for the Location
Consider the location of your photo shoot when choosing your outfits. If you're heading to the beach, opt for light, breezy fabrics and vibrant colors. For a more formal setting, go for classic, timeless pieces. And if you're planning a nature-themed shoot, earthy tones and natural fabrics will blend seamlessly with the surroundings. I never rarely recommend wearing black in family photos, it can seem so dark. But one year we did family photos in front of a white courthouse and my family all wore black, it is still one of my favorite photo sessions we have done.
4. Say No to Logos
While your family may be loyal fans of a certain brand, it's best to leave the logos at home for your photo session. Logos can be distracting and take away from the focus of the photo, which is your beautiful family. Plus, you don't want to look back at your photos in a few years and cringe at the outdated logo plastered across your chest.
5. Keep the accessories minimal
It is easy to get carried away when you're styling the perfect outfit, trust me, I get it. But the more accessories your wearing, the more that can go wrong in a photo. Take a jumping photo for example. You jump holding your kids' hands on the beach for a fun happy photo but you get your pictures back and realize your necklace is actually covering your face. You and your family are what needs to shine in your pictures so don't risk a big chunky accessory messing it up for you.
6. Don't Forget the Basics
While it's fun to experiment with different styles and trends, don't forget the basics. Make sure everyone's outfits are clean, ironed, and well-fitted. A steamer is a family photos best friend! And remember, comfort is key. If your little one is uncomfortable in their outfit, it will show in the photos.
One last pro tip I will leave you with. My husband actually hates taking family photos and so do my children, which leads to us smiling while whisper yelling (Mostly me) at each other through the entire photo session. I am not above bribing my husband and my children to get a happy family photo, okay? I surprise my husband with a couple of good beers to drink before and my children with candy after if they participate. I'm not saying this is a must do, but everyone being happy during the pictures does make it worth the extra effort.
So there you have it, some tips and tricks to help you dress your family for that perfect photo. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and let your family's unique personality shine through. After all, the best photos are the ones that capture the love and joy you share as a family.
