Well hello! Welcome to Part I of my series on Session Styling, leading up to the busiest season for all family photographers: the fall! I’ll be covering my System, the 6 Styles, Tips on Coordinating the Crew, and more, so make sure you check in every week!
Today, I’m sharing my foolproof System for nailing your wardrobe for family photos. Use the system and get photos you love EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. No more stress, no more pinning a thousand ideas on Pinterest, no more last-minute anxiety shopping at Target.
Ready? Ok let’s go!
STEP ONE: YOU CHOOSE YOUR OUTFIT FIRST, MAMA
In my experience, the one who cares the most about the family photos, the one who finds the photographer, schedules the session, coordinates the outfits, and makes it happen is mom. If you care the most about the session, you should feel the freedom to make yourself the priority! This is the perfect excuse to wear your favorite outfit, or even shop for a beautiful new piece to add to your closet. I encourage you to find something YOU love, and then coordinate everyone to you.
Not only does this help ensure you will love the way you look in your photos, it simplifies the whole process. You care the most, so you pick your clothes first. Now you have a baseline for everyone else’s outfits. Coordinate everyone to you, and you have a look that is cohesive on camera.
STEP TWO: PICK A COORDINATING LOOK FOR BAE
Next up, your boo! You will want to choose clothing for him that coordinates with your outfit in 3 ways.
1. STYLE
I used to recommend all my female clients wear long dresses in soft colors paired with their man in a suit. But eventually realized I wasn’t following those guidelines myself because they didn’t fit my preferences! I came up with a 6-Style System that helps you make choices that capture your personality AND look great in photos. You can take the Free Style Quiz here to find out which of the Six Styles you prefer for your portrait session.
When coordinating with bae, I don’t think it is necessary to “match” styles, just like I don’t think you have to “match” colors. However, your clothes should “go well” together. I think of it this way: does it look like we are going to the same place/event in the same weather? As long as the next two categories (season and dressiness level) are coordinating, the clothing will look cohesive on camera.
2. SEASON
When I say season, I refer to only two categories: hot or cold. Unless you are lucky enough to do multiple photo sessions with a professional in a year, I recommend dressing in as timeless a manner as possible for your photo session. I do not think it is necessary to try and create a look that says “fall” or “springtime” or “Christmas.” Themed photos are fun, but if you only have one professional portrait session a year, stick with the “theme” of clothing you love, and that’s it.
As I mentioned above, you and your man should look like you are going to the same place/event in the same weather. If mom is in boots and a sweater, that signals cold weather, and any items that are hot weather clothing (sandals, sundress, etc) will not look cohesive on camera.
So, whatever season mom is dressed for (cold weather or hot weather), bae needs to dress for that weather, too.
3. DRESSY OR CASUAL
Finally, the level of dressiness should be compatible. A casual sundress and a formal tuxedo will look “off” on camera - it will not look like those two people are going to the same place/event.
So whether you choose to go all-out, and dress like you’re walking the red carpet, or keep it casual, make sure you and bae are on the same level.
STEP THREE: PICK A COORDINATING LOOK FOR KIDS
Last but not least, pick out clothes for your children that coordinate with you and your man. Just like when choosing wardrobe for bae, your kids’ clothing will need to coordinate by Style, Season, and Dressiness Level. You want it to look like they are going to the same place/event as you and in the same weather. If mom and dad are dressed for cold weather, the kiddos need to wear winter/fall clothes as well. Kids wearing summer sandals, short sleeves, and bare legs will look “off” when standing next to mom and dad in sweaters, boots, and cozy winter clothes.
When shopping for your kids’ clothing for photos, I highly recommend looking for items your children can wear again. I don’t necessarily mean grabbing a bunch of random pieces from Target at the last minute - I do think you should try and find something special and items you love. BUT, shop for items that your kids can wear to school, church, or even for play time. I find that “special occasion” clothing for children are often stiff, itchy, and uncomfortable. In other words, they look like something a child cannot wait to take off and will never want to wear again. The most flattering outfit for a child is something that highlights their youth and playfulness. Dress your child in something that still allows for running, jumping, twirling, and playing. This will allow your photographer to capture your children at their most natural and child-like.
And there you have it! A fool-proof 3-step system you can use every single time to get photos you are obsessed with. I’ll be back next week to share more about The 6 Styles, but in the meantime, make sure you take the FREE Style Quiz and I hope you’ll come hang out with me on Instagram.
Are you a photographer?! I make custom Style Guides for just for my fellow photographers! I want to help you educate your clients about what kind of clothing captures well on camera - your clients will feel more confident, your photos will look more high-end, your clients will be obsessed with their photos...everybody wins! Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are a photographer and you are interested in adding a Style Guide to your client services.
See you soon! And remember: you’re beautiful!
XOXO Jenny