Worried about what to wear for your family photo session? Don't be! I've got a quick guide to how to dress to set your mind at ease, and make your photoshoot a dream!
My first words of wisdom are to be comfortable in order to be confident! It's important to feel good in order to look good! If you love a good pair of jeans and t-shirt, then my vote is to wear it! Do you love the way long dresses flow and move on a the beach? If so, then that's your style and you should wear a beautifully long flowing dress with your babes! As your photographer, I will focus more on your interactions with your family, than what you're dressed in. That said, if you wear a long beautiful dress, rest assured I'm going to capitalize on it and make you stand in the wind with your children running towards you wild and free!
Stray away from super matchy outfits! It's not 1989 anymore, so get rid of those matching denim and white button down shirts. In this day and age we're allowed to be individuals, so let it shine, and be you! It's always a good idea to keep your family in similar tones, but not too matchy matchy. This means stick with a color family, like neutrals, calm tones, or jewel tones etc. I love for family members' outfits to work well as a group but still show their individual style. The colors you choose should look good on you and your skin tones. You know what looks best on you, and you want to feel great about what you're wearing, so keep that in mind!
I LOVE textures...so anything with lace, or a fun print, or a knit are always fun to work with. Textures add a little depth and drama to your photos in both color and black and white, no matter what colors you choose to wear. And in my opinion, patterns are totally ok as long as everyone isn't wearing the same one!
Lastly, dress for the weather! In San Francisco, it can be pretty chilly on even the warmest of days, so it's always a good idea to bring. Even if it's just a vest for the kiddos or a scarf for mom, the last thing you want your family to be during a session is freezing. An added bonus is that bringing extra layers means extra looks for everyone! If you're at the beach, shoes are totally optional (although you’ll need to them walk from the car to the main shooting area!). Plan to get sandy, and don't sweat the small stuff. Having fun during your session is the most important part and it will show in every single photo.
At the end of the day, whatever feels right to you as a family that is cohesive with your vibe, will make for the best photos! And you should always be able to run outfit ideas by your photographer- in fact, I recommend it for my clients!
Remember, comfort equals confidence!
