How to choose the perfect outfit for your photoshoot.

Deciding what outfits to wear for your photo session can be just as challenging as finding the perfect photographer. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and treasure for years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn’t have to be.

Here are a few tips to help you get the ball rolling.

Coordinate colors. Don’t match.

Remember when the whole family would dress in jeans and white shirts? The days of everyone being matchy-matchy are gone.The idea is to choose a color palette of three or four complementary colours Neutrals are not boring! They photograph beautifully and remain timeless. Try to avoid colors that are super bright and unnatural looking in nature.. like, bright purple or hot pink. If you love a pop of color try to stick to jewel tones or deeper colors, like emerald green instead of lime green, or maroon/burgundy instead of bright red. I always like to consider my home decor when picking outfits because my photos will be on display and I want them to go with the aesthetic of my house.

Say no to characters and logos.

As much as the kids may love their Mickey Mouse shirt, it is a distracting element in a photo. The star of the show should be the people in your family session – not the logo or words on a shirt. Best to stick with a simple pattern or something plain. Same idea for shoes. Bright colors shoes with his logos will stick out like a sore thumb. I suggest leaving your neon Nike trainers at home and opting for a more subtle color in a less distracting Converse Chuck Taylor or solid color shoe.

Be comfortable.

As much as it is important to consider colours and textures when choosing what to wear for a family session, an absolute consideration should be to choose clothing that is comfortable. You don’t need to be all dolled up in high heels and a dress to get beautiful photos. We move around a ton during my sessions. I like to capture movement and genuine laughs so I’m going to make you goof around a bit. Some of my most favourite shoots have been families in toques and comfy athleisure wear. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful flowing dress, but make sure you can breathe and get wild in it!

Textures add visual interest.

Mixing up fabrics is a smart strategy to add some dimension to your images. A good cotton shirt is a good start, but add knits, silks, leather, lace and the like to add depth. Adding accessories is an easy way to introduce different textures. Scarves, hats, wraps … show off your individual personality. Things that flow in the wind and create movement are always a bonus. 

I hope that helps! Always know that I’m here for you if you need help choosing the perfect outfit. Send me photos of your potential choices and I can help you pick things that will photograph beautifully together.