Outfit Guide | Families
We want outfit planning to be an enjoyable and effortless experience!
We've put together a guide of our top tips and tricks, as well as some outfit mood boards!
#1 Choose your Location
Before deciding what outfits you'd like to wear, consider the location we'll be shooting in. Different locations have different vibes! For example, if you’re planning a beach session, you may want to add linen textures to your outfits and ditch the shoes for bare feet instead.
A grassy field looks amazing with warm, earthy tones and comfortable (but still cute!) shoes. Avoid oversized clothing and fabrics that might get caught on branches.
#2 Start with One Outfit
It’s understandable if you’re feeling overwhelmed! We’ve found it easiest to start with one person’s outfit and then build the other outfits around that. If you’re the one planning the outfits, we recommend starting with yours!
Choose a colour that you feel good in, or a pattern with neutral earth tones. Whatever you choose should be slightly move elevated than your day-to-day look. Choose high quality fabrics - they hang better and look great in photos!
#3 Pick Your Palette
After planning your outfit, it’s time to move onto the rest of the family! Choose 2 or 3 more coordinating colours that you’d like to build outfits with. The key is to coordinate, but not to match.
An easy way to achieve coordination is to select colours from a patterned dress or shirt and use them in other outfits. If there are caramel brown flowers on a dress, try adding that colour as someone else’s pants or shirt. If you didn’t choose a pattern, make sure all the outfits have the same tone. Lay out the options in front of you, and see what looks best together!
Other important tips:
Opt for subtle patterns (big, bold patterns can be distracting)
Reach for muted colours (think dusty rose, instead of hot pink)
Make your shoes blend with your outfit (no athletic shoes, Old Navy flip flops or light up sneakers)
#4 Dress for the Weather
The perfect outfit is one that can adapt to the weather. We do this by layering - either shedding extra layers in the middle of the summer or adding layers when the air gets crisp in the Fall.
In the humid months, lighter fabrics and open-toed shoes are essential for staying cool!
On chillier days, add a cardigan or overcoat, wear thick socks with your shoes and cover your hands with some cute mittens. Remember, cold kids are not happy or willing photo participants, so keep those kiddos layered and warm!
#5 Try on your outfits a few days - or weeks! - before your session.
Throw your outfit on and do a few spins in front of the mirror. Do you feel comfortable in your outfit? Do you like the way it looks? Is it wrinkle free? Can you bend/hug/walk/dance without it gapping or sliding out of place? Yes? You’ve got a winner!
Plus, having your outfits planned will help you take a deep breath and relax before our shoot!
#6 Adding Makeup!
Whether you wear makeup in real life or not, I recommend adding it for your photos! If you already have a makeup routine you love, that’s great! Keep in mind that makeup photographs differently than it appears in real life - focus on glowy skin, flushed cheeks and dark lashes.
My go-to products are:
Light coverage foundation or skin tint
Concealer
Blush
Mascara
Lip Gloss
If this is really out of your wheel house, but you’d still like to wear makeup, consider hiring a makeup artist!
Final Tips:
Prioritize comfort
Add interest with subtle patterns and texture
Accessorize with hats and jewelry, but no apple watches or hair elastics
Beware of transitional lenses, and leave your sunglasses in the car
Avoid oversized or too tight of clothing
Keep colours and tones earthy
No logos, sports gear or running shoes
Make sure clothing is clean and wrinkle-free
