What to Wear For Family Photos

One of the most frequently asked questions for every session is “what should we wear?!” Que all the panicking mamas! I’m here to calm the anxiety because I have an overflowing client closet full of classic and fun options! Each piece was hand chosen to be versatile through all the life stages of your growing family. Neutrals are the overwhelming majority of course, with some blue and pink thrown in! I love a mix of textures and floral prints for family sessions. Dad’s cannot go wrong with a solid lighter colored shirt and khakis or jeans! But what is MOST important is that everyone is comfortable and feels confident in what they are wearing. I truly understand the time and effort it takes to get you and your entire family ready, much less arrive on time to the session. So my goal is to make things as low stress as possible so that you can have fond memories when you look back at your images for years to come!

The overall consensus for most sessions to obtain that “light and airy” feel is to go with lighter clothing. Some may be in favor of bold fall colors for Christmas cards etc, and that is totally fine too! Some of the most common things to avoid include: tiny polkadots or checks as these do not photograph well, mustard yellow colors in general, and surprisingly black does not photograph well either despite its popular slimming effect haha! Again, please I am begging you, do not wear mustard yellow lol. Also, please, pretty please take off your apple watch. I have a feeling in 20 years everyone is going to look back at their photos and apple watches are going to resemble beepers on everyone’s belts… have you ever thought about that??

Here are some more considerations most people don’t think about! After all this planning and styling and effort to get all the kids down for naps at just the right time and in perfect moods to smile during the session, what are you going to do afterwards? Are you going to let your images sit in the cloud storage you pay $2.99 extra for every single month?? Or are you going to print them and hang them on your walls? Or maybe make a photo book to have on your coffee table for guests to ooohh and aahhh over? Maybe your photos should match the decor style of your home? But with ever changing trends, the only way to consistently match styles in a timeless way is to go neutral. Bonus: neutral colors look amazing in black and white photos as well!

Here is a great example where color coordination works well and goes with a beautiful background! I love how the colors are soft, no one is matching perfectly, and the variety of textures adds a great aesthetic. This family is always fun and so good at being intentional with our time to enjoy each other’s presence. Not to mention, sweet Gus and Magnolia are extremely well behaved and beautiful inside & out! I have loved photographing them over the years.

When it comes to family photos, styling your family is important and can create a timeless and cohesive look that emphasizes your family’s connection and love. Opting for neutral colors such as beige, cream, gray, or soft pastels allows the focus to remain on the faces and personalities of each family member. Neutral tones are versatile and complement a variety of backgrounds, whether it's a serene outdoor setting or a more formal indoor studio or lifestyle newborn session. By keeping the overall palette muted, it ensures that the attention is drawn to the emotions and interactions captured in the photographs. Neutral attire also helps to achieve a classic and elegant aesthetic that will stand the test of time, guaranteeing that these cherished family photos can be proudly displayed for years to come. If all else fails, please don’t hesitate to send me photos and examples of what you plan to wear! Be sure to follow my pinterest page where I have linked several inspo boards as well!

I also have a client closet available for use and included in all 30 min and one hour session fees! I have tons of new pieces and will be sharing details soon! Thank you for reading along, and I hope this was helpful!!

xoxo,

Liv



Olivia Jones

Lifestyle photographer based in BHM, AL specializing in Weddings and Family portraits

https://www.oliviajonesphoto.com
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