When planning for a family portrait, it is a great idea to have your outfits chosen before the day of your photo session. Trying to pick out your clothes, Dad’s and the kids may add even more stress than needed. The morning of, you are likely trying to keep everyone smiling and getting along; let alone having to deal with your own hair and makeup too.
When selecting clothing, I tell my clients to stay away from matching in the same exact color. I recommend choosing a single color, and then select different shades for each family member to wear.
I love to stick with blues, greys, beiges, & some pastels. The palette here would be a great choice in just about any setting.
These shades although different, unify the members of your family while still showing each person as an individual. If your family all wore the same color, it might look like one large person with a bunch of limbs sticking out everywhere. On the other hand, too many separate bright colors can confuse the viewer and look less unifying. Avoiding stripes and busy patterns are always a good idea as well. Among other good strategies, I suggest wearing small accessories to allow each family member to express their own personality.
Make sure your level of dress code matches. Decide as a family if you would prefer casual, fancy or semi-formal. Family portraits are always fun when deciding what to wear, but make sure to remind Uncle Tom not to wear a suit if you are playing it casual.
The general make up rule for women is to wear makeup that is somewhere in between natural and not too bold, even in daytime sessions. Try not to gloss your lips too heavily, as it can look overly shiny in the photographs. As far as dad and kids are concerned, just give them a little chapstick.
Wearing black and white may sound like the commonly chosen classic family attire. However, it can result in over/underexposed subjects and make seeing the separation between you and your other family members difficult.
Rule #1 is to have fun. Your photo sessions are meant to be enjoyable and show the happiness in your family. Smile, let loose, & laugh. It’s going to be a great session!
For more clothing ideas: Family Photo Session Clothing Ideas