It's fall family photo time! The most favourite time of year for photos! With the gorgeous colours of the changing leaves and grasses, the early sunset creating that golden glow we all love and preparing for Christmas cards, it's no wonder everyone books their photos for this time!
As a professional portrait photographer for over 15 years, the biggest question I would get asked is about wardrobe. Since these photos will be seen for years and kept for generations, it really is an important part of the session!
My biggest advice to my clients was always for mom to choose her outfit and then coordinate the family around it generally. But oftentimes, it was easiest to choose dad's outfit too and coordinate around that, since it was usually a button down with a pattern. If so, then I suggested to take the colours out of that pattern and coordinate the clothing to it. Meaning that if the pattern in his shirt is muted paisley tones, that are mauves and beiges, then mom and the kids could wear those colours complementing the shirt.
If mom knows her outfit, then it would be the same concept. Use the colours from that outfit to complement and coordinate the others.
I also always strongly recommend avoiding brand logos and writing on shirts or other clothing. It is distracting and is easily dated.
Layering clothing and wearing textures enhances the overall look and feel to the images! Wearing button up shirts open over a tee or adding cardigans, scarves, and/or hats adds simplicity but design to the photos while also allowing for diversity in the images since they can also be taken off for a variation to the outfit!
Overall, make sure the clothing choices suit your family as a whole, but also individually! If a style someone is wearing isn't comfortable to who they are, it will show in the photos!
Make sure to enjoy this time together as a family! It is the photographers job to capture these memories, so moms, relax, trust and enjoy. Bribes are totally ok for kids and remember that you hired the photographer for her skill, so please don't worry if your kid seems to not be behaving how you might want. Your job is to enjoy the session and trust that the photographer will get those perfect shots!
I LOVE helping with the outfit planning, so please let me know if you'd like some help and come on into the boutique to try on pieces that will make you look and feel amazing so you can love looking at yourself in the photos always!