The question that EVERY client asks is how to dress for a family photoshoot. Should you coordinate your outfits? Which are the best colours for a family photo? Any outfit ideas?
I always say that the most important thing is your comfort and confidence! You should wear clothes that make you feel your best and won’t distract you during your photoshoot. Your outfits should reflect your personality and style.
Best colours for your family photography session
If you’ve met me or have been following me on socials, you know that I am all about colours! I love to wear bright colours, my house is more colourful than most and I like colour in my photos. I won’t be seen dead in beige! And I have to confess, I don’t like the neutrals trend in family photography. I think it’s always better to mix neutrals with colours and bring some life into your family photos.
Would your child really choose to wear beige and brown head to toe or dress like a royal offspring on duty? Some children might. My youngest loves to wear all white, but it gets covered in a rainbow of stains after about five minutes, so… Most children I know like colours (until they reach teenage stage, but then you can’t argue with them anyway). And I’d much rather be photographing happy children than perfectly styled but grumpy ones.
Match vs coordinate
Please, please, please, do not match your outfits! I think it looks cheesy and reminds me of the 90s Christmas family photos. Matchy-matchy outfits always look forced. I assume that since you’re going to book a family session with me, you probably want to look natural, not “styled”. What I suggest you should do instead is to coordinate your colours, and here is how to do it.
How to coordinate colours for a photoshoot
Choose 2-4 colours that suit you all and go together. Not everyone in the family should wear all the colours, and definitely not in the same shade or brightness. Mix it up! Use darker and lighter, richer or paler versions of the same colours or use different textures of fabrics of the same colour (more on textures later).
If you want a calmer colour scheme or if you’re very unsure about mixing bright colours, navy or brown is always a safe choice. You probably have something blue or navy in your wardrobe already. Jeans? White also works really well near the face. It will be the brightest area in the photo and will draw attention to your face. Again, mix it up to look natural as opposed to styled.
Brighter colours work just as well (or better if you ask me!). Make sure you don’t clash or blend with your background. For an autumn photoshoot, rusty oranges and reds, rich pinks and purples, deep blues, emeralds and teals – all work amazingly well.
Have a look at the colour wheel. Generally, colours that are directly opposite or next to each other will look good together, but there are also more complicated colour schemes to play with.
There are interactive tools online that will help you choose your colours. Just pick one colour that you definitely want to use and see what colour schemes the wheel offers.
Colour schemes for an Autumn family photoshoot
To illustrate my approach to colours and to give your some ideas, I’ve put together a few colour palettes that I like. When thinking of colours, remember that your photo will also have colours from the backdrop, be it green, red or yellow leaves, brown tree trunks or the blue sky.
Pink, navy, teal, brown and purple
Note that brown mostly comes from the tree trunks, but also from their hair and leggings.
Pink, navy, green and brown
Here the green is from the grass and leaves. Now that I look at it, I realise I should have added yellow to the palette, but let’s pretend that brown is just a very dark yellow.
Navy, emerald and brown/maroon
Here the colours of the outfit match the backdrop perfectly. But because there are only a few green leaves visible, the green jumper helps the subject stand out against the brown of the forest.
Blue, yellow and maroon
Blue and yellow is a classic combo (think sun and sky). Although it is quite bright, the textures or the jumper and the jeans help to soften the blue. And maroon balances it all out.
If you want more colourful fashion inspiration, check out Emmanuelle on Instagram. She is a stylist helping people to find out which colours suit them and teaches how to add more colour to your outfits.
Which colours to avoid in a photo
A brief note on which colours are best avoided. They may work in some situations, but unless you are absolutely sure and have chatted to me about it beforehand, avoid!
Too much black. It absorbs light and can look like a blob in a photo. Black is fine in small quantities only!
Neons. They only work in a few very specific situations. Neons clash with most natural colours, including most light skin colours and they don’t go well with natural backgrounds. Best to avoid!
Logos, text and large patterns. While a small discreet logo or a subtle pattern are totally fine, you don’t want slogans or screaming brand names on your family portraits.
Best outfits for your family photoshoot
Obviously, wear what makes you feel your best! We all have different tastes and styles. Here are a few general tips on what to wear and what not to wear for a photoshoot.
Layers & Textures
Dress in layers! It adds texture and interest and allows you to play with colours in a more subtle way. Think jewellery, scarfs, jackets, cardigans, gilets… Be careful with hats, though. Wear it if it’s your signature look, but we’ll need to make sure that it doesn’t cast a shadow on your face.
Combine different textures in your outfit, especially if you aren’t using that many colours and layers. Knitwear, fur trims, linen, denim, leather, lace – different fabrics provide different textures. A variety of textures adds interest to the image, and works well against a natural background, which is also full of textures.
Warmth & Comfort
Dress for the weather. You should be enjoying yourself during your session, not freezing cold or dripping with sweat. Layers come handy for this as you can always adjust.
Make sure your clothing fits well and won’t bother you. You don’t want to be constantly pulling anything down, readjusting and tucking in. I generally suggest loose over tight, long over short and no deep necklines from which your bra is sure to peak out.
But what exactly should I wear?
Ok, all that theory is great, but you just want specific examples. I hear you! If you’re lost for ideas, just wear what you’d normally wear but slightly smarter. Blue jeans as a base always look great. Jeans will tie everyone’s outfits together. Add jumpers, shirts or t-shirts in complementary shades. Layer up with scarfs, blazers, jackets or gilets – again, in colours that go well together. Like I said, wear what you would normally wear, but just try to coordinate colours among the family members.
My philosophy is that people should look like themselves in photos, not like models in a magazine! In ten years time, when you’ll be looking at these photographs, you want to look back and remember that your five year old was in a princess phase, and that you loved that cardi and wore it with everything. I want you to remember the laughs, the fun, and the cuddles of that day. And you don’t have to look perfect to have that!
