Styling
Styling your family for a portrait session can be an overwhelming process. If you’re struggling to coordinate outfits for your upcoming session, take a deep breath. To make the process as simple as possible, all of my clients receive complimentary access to an online styling service designed for portrait sessions. I’ve also got lots of styling tips to ensure that your family looks picture perfect!
First off, I recommend that you start by selecting a base of 2-3 colors. For a more neutral look, an example might be olive, chocolate brown, and beige. Then, work within those complimentary colors that you’ve selected. Let’s say that your kiddo has a darling patterned shirt or dress that you’d LOVE to have them wear. Start with that and plan the other outfits around color variations pulled from that pattern. This will help you complement one another without being too matchy-matchy. The rule of thumb when dressing a family for portraits is to choose items as if you were creating one outfit. If you could hypothetically put all of those articles on one person and have the result look pleasing color-wise, you are in great shape!
Styling
Styling your family for a portrait session can be an overwhelming process. If you’re struggling to coordinate outfits for your upcoming session, take a deep breath. To make the process as simple as possible, all of my clients receive complimentary access to an online styling service designed for portrait sessions. I’ve also got lots of styling tips to ensure that your family looks picture perfect!
First off, I recommend that you start by selecting a base of 2-3 colors. For a more neutral look, an example might be olive, chocolate brown, and beige. Then, work within those complimentary colors that you’ve selected. Let’s say that your kiddo has a darling patterned shirt or dress that you’d LOVE to have them wear. Start with that and plan the other outfits around color variations pulled from that pattern. This will help you complement one another without being too matchy-matchy. The rule of thumb when dressing a family for portraits is to choose items as if you were creating one outfit. If you could hypothetically put all of those articles on one person and have the result look pleasing color-wise, you are in great shape!
Additional Pointers to Keep in Mind
- Limit black clothing as it tends to highlight every piece of fuzz, fiber and/or hair that clings to it
- Light and flowy dresses always photograph beautifully on moms
- Consider the color scheme of the room where you plan to display the portraits and avoid colors that may clash
- Textures are wonderful! Think knit or lacy fabric, waffle patterns, etc.
- Layers are fantastic for adding visual interest without being distracting
- Avoid clothing with large, exposed logos or writing
- Spandex shorts are highly recommended under girls dresses/ skirts as running, jumping and twirling will be encouraged
- Nice dress socks are preferred for adults. White tube socks can be visually distracting during those sitting poses
- Please remove any wristbands or hair ties from wrists prior to the start of your session
- For men, please remove your wallet, phone, keys and other items from your pockets prior to the session
- Ladies and girls with medium to long hair, wear hair down and flowy for a timeless look. You might also want to have a brush on hand for quick touch-ups
- For ladies who want to feel extra picture perfect, I highly recommend a pre-session hair blow-out and/or professional makeup application. Inquire for referrals of some incredible beauty professionals whom I've previously worked with
- Glasses with transition/ photochromic lenses can be a challenge to photograph as they darken dramatically outdoors. If possible, plan to wear an alternative pair of glasses
Also, feel free to check out my Pinterest page for more styling ideas.