WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS
My portrait sessions include an initial consultation, usually in person but sometimes over the phone or internet. I like my clients to know exactly what they can expect from their shoot.
Once the session is booked I email clients my ‘What to expect’ guide, including tips on how to get the most of your session and, crucially, what to wear.
Families often ask advice on what to wear. I know it's not always easy, I have twins, they try very hard not to be the lookey-likey types, getting them dressed for school in the mornings can be tricky enough, but throw choice into the mix and we can spend half a morning getting dressed! But what you choose to wear for your shoot can make or break the pictures.
Five year old Sally’s neon pink tutu might be the loveliest thing she has ever owned, but stood next to Dad in his Khaki shorts and brother Fred in his marvel t-shirt, together they may not be creating the timeless picture of family unity that you were hoping for above your mantle piece. Time for a rethink!
Deciding what everyone should wear need not be stressful. There’s the ‘American Classic’ route where everyone jeans up with white t-shirts. There’s the ‘Subtle Classic’ look where you pick a couple of gentle matching tones and rummage your wardrobes based upon a similar colour palette.
Or instead of trying to think what everyone has at once, try picking one patterned outfit for one family member and then build around the colours and tones that match for other family members. This approach can work best with a pretty floral dress worn by a daughter or a striking check shirt worn by a son.
With that said, hats off to the wonderful Knight family who worked hard at selecting colours that worked really well with their skin tones and brought out the fantastic earthy colours of our autumn location.
I love a pink tutu, but for this shot, it just wouldn’t have worked!
Have you got any stories about portrait fashion success or disaster, feel free to comment below! x
