What to Wear to Your Outdoor Family Session

The absolute #1 question I get after booking a session: but what will I wear?! (In the most Grinch voice ever, of course!)

So here are just a few tips that will help you style yourself and your family in the best way possible so we can have the best session! The absolute most important thing is that you (and kids!) are comfortable and feel totally confident in what you are wearing.

Tip #1: Avoid being overly matchy

Remember the family photos from 30 years ago where everyone is wearing a white shirt and khaki pants? Ya, yikes! Coordination is where it’s at now.

Form a color palette: choose a few colors you love to wear and coordinate your outfits around those colors. My personal favorites are black, grey/tan, and maybe a pop of forest green thrown in.

A mix of prints/solids can also be a great addition!

story-time: I once had a client put their baby in neon green and every photo ended up with the baby and parents having a green color cast on their face and arms (and before you ask, no I cannot get rid of it in photoshop!).

Tip #2: Focus on timeless, not trendy!

Super trendy items are awesome one day, and not so awesome the next. You want to look back on your photos and love them instead of seeing your outfit and cringing (believe me, I’ve been there many a time). Sticking to timeless pieces that never go out of style will make you love your photos every time you look at them years from now.

Quick tip: avoid anything sleeveless! They are a hard look to pull off for photos, no matter how fit you are. Cap or a ruffle sleeve are great options if you must have something short for a warmer day.

Tip #3: Momma, start with you!

For the ladies, let’s be honest! We are usually the most critical of ourselves & tend to over think our outfits. So why not start with you?! Pick something you feel amazing in; whether that is a dress in your closet you haven’t worn in a while or even better, go out and treat yourself! If you don’t feel amazing, that will reflect in the photos. Your comfort needs to be the top priority.

Quick tip: get an outside opinion! Let a friend help you choose if you can’t decide. I always text my bestie when I’m being indecisive!

Then coordinate your kiddos to you. Make sure they are comfy of course, but still up to your standards of family photos.

Next, is Dad! They tend to be the easiest; I mean come on: shirt, pants, shoes, maybe a jacket or vest and done.

Tip #4: Bring those layers!

Layers are a great way to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to your session. Have fun with it! Think scarves, hats, jackets, vests. These are all great ways to add your personality! Just remember to choose pieces that you’d want to be photographed in, I mean that’s the point right?! The best part, they can always be added and subtracted throughout the session as well; everyone needs a little variety in their life!

** These are just some tips on what I have learned looks best when being photographed. I have also created Pinterest boards to help you visualize and get inspired for what colors go best together and how to coordinate each person. You can find that right here: Pinterest Inspiration