As the school year gears up and the season slowly shifts, many of you may be planning some fall photo sessions. Over the next few articles, I’ll be dissecting what to wear and how to coordinate for the perfect shot to share with loved ones for years to come. First up, we’re tackling the family portrait.
There seems to be a few standard flavors for family portraits. There are groups shot during a beach vacation, studio sessions with matching holiday sweaters, or outdoor settings in the fall trying to capture just the right sepia tone on a candid-ish moment. So, what you and your family wear really depends on the setting of the pictures and the vibe you want to come through in a snapshot. Last year, my family went in hard on matching outfits and ordered dresses for me and my girls, and my husband a polo shirt in a print featuring rainbow-breathing dragons. These were coordinated outfits making a definitive statement, but not one I’d necessarily recommend for other families.
Speaking of matching outfits, no matter your family photo flavor, should you go the matching route? It depends on your family makeup. How many kids do you need to outfit? Will extended family members be included? Do you already have matching pieces or the budget to buy new clothes? Matching can simply mean everyone wearing the same color or having directly identical looks. Kids can match while grownups coordinate, or you can have fun with punny t-shirts. With our matching portrait last year, we showed our silly, whimsical side. With two young and creative children, whimsy is a big part of our daily lives, and our pictures reflect that. In general, matching looks signal a united family, a bonded family.
Of course, if you decide not to go matchy-matchy, it doesn’t mean your family isn’t a strong unit. If matching isn’t in your wheelhouse, you’ll still probably want to coordinate colors. The simplest way to coordinate is to pick a color scheme and dress in those shades. A color scheme is a range of colors, not just “blue” but cornflower blue, navy blue, light grey, and a pop-of-bright like mustard or pink. Keep your setting in mind when choosing colors. Your palette, ideally, will align with the backdrop.
Also, keep your closet and your family’s wardrobe in mind. What outfits do you currently have that could potentially coordinate with each other and fit the theme of your photo? Also, what is everyone’s favorite color or piece of clothing? Does your little one have a favorite sweatshirt or t-shirt? Do you have older kids who want to wear their favorite team colors? Try to incorporate them into some styling decisions. However, if you are the one who does most of the family clothes shopping, chances are they’ll have pieces that speak to your preferences, and you’ll have final approval.
But what if you really don’t know where to start on styling family photo looks? Well, as I tell my 70-something stepdad when he asks me a question, “Let me Google that for you.” Yeah, just Google “family portrait outfit ideas” and see what other families have done. This is a great way to source ideas for photo settings as well as outfits. Pinterest is another rich resource for image inspiration; granted, some of the styling may seem repetitive, looking at your plaid, but that’s the autumn of it all.
On the flip side, if you are dead set on the theme and vibes you want to portray and you have already selected your ideal setting, whether that’s in a studio, with a backdrop, or outside, then make it happen! Whether you have to bribe kids, special order dresses from Etsy, negotiate with a spouse, grab up a Groupon deal, or pick up grandma the night before, do it! Plan out your logistics, make sure everyone has enough sleep and food, and steer that portrait ship!
Two warnings. First, if you are shooting outside pictures, have a backup plan for inclement weather. That could be the option to reschedule with your photographer, go to their studio, or have an indoor second setting available. Your plan can also be waiting in the car for a good ten minutes of clear weather and popping out for a few quick, hopefully useful shots. Second, unless you’re going to a studio and everyone is on board, do not change outfits for multiple looks or setups. Yes, have backup clothes ready to go just in case, but family portraits are not fashion shoots or glamour shots. There’s no need to have multiple outfits for everyone per session.
Some brands that cater to the family with matching and coordinated outfits are Old Navy and Gap. Boden and Tea Collection focuses more on Mommy and kids, while PatPat does full family offerings, including holiday PJ sets. If you are really looking to have fun and maybe be a bit silly, then you can still get the rainbow-breathing dragon dresses and a matching polo at Princess-Awesome.com. Fingers crossed for at least one shot with everyone’s eyes open and faces smiling.
