What to Wear

What to Wear ::  Family Session


Your portrait date is set, your session fee is paid, and now to start digging through your closet...  Ugh, right!!  No - this little post will help guide you through the "how to's" and "how not's" of dressing your crew for your family portrait session.


First off, it's OKAY not to having matching outfits!  Let me say it again... it's okay NOT to have matching outfits.  "What?" you say, "How can that be?  Don't we all need khaki's and white button-ups, matching polos, at least the same wash of jeans?"  NO, No, and no!!  Gone are the days of matchy-matchy.  (Here's the part where you let out a huge sigh of relief.)  In fact, in my professional opinion, matching outfits or dressing in all the same color makes for a visually unappealing image.


In custom photography, I believe that it's part of my job to help style your session.  Even if that means I have to come to your house and rummage through your closet with you.  Okay, we may not have to take it that far, but here a few simple suggestions to get you started:

• Focus on Coordinating vs. Matching

• Chances are each member of your family is a unique person with a unique sense of style.  Instead of trying to find one outfit that you all can wear that fits with all of your styles, CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE!  
• It is sometimes helpful to find one great piece that has two, three, or four colors that you love.  This could simply be a sweater from mom's closet that she looks dashing in.  Now all you have to do is use the colors from that piece to dress the rest of the family.
• Example ::  Mom's sweater is a beautiful array of colors similar to those in this scarf.
• Dad then dresses in a grey-blue, patterned, button-up with a black under-shirt.
• Little Bro wears a taupe long-sleeve polo with a black down vest.
• Sister comes flaunting her cutest striped, navy dress with some fun textured tights or stockings.  ...coordinating, not matching :)
• Choose Items with good Color & Texture

• Notice in the example - do not be afraid to USE COLOR.  
• Use colors that fit with your style and personality - vibrant, warm, primaries, etc.  
• Use the color of the season (i.e., browns, oranges, & reds in the fall) if you're having trouble deciding where to start.
• Also, try and pick items that are rich in TEXTURE.  Items like knits, wools, ruffles, & denim, work well and add depth to a picture.
• LAYERING is another way to add personality and texture.  If weather permits, try and wear at least 2 layers per person.  (A layer can include an accessory such as a scarf or beaded necklace.)
• Last but not least, ACCESSORIZE!  Bring out the scarfs, chunky jewelry, hats, trendy bracelets, or other pieces that add the final touches to your beautifully coordinated wardrobe.
• Browse Online Vendors
• If you're still having trouble, browse your favorite stores' websites for their latest collections.
• On american eagle, search Trends/Looks of the Season
• -or- the "Looks we Love" section of j.crew kids

• Other vendors to look at:
• Ralph Lauren
• The Children's Place
• Gap
• Old Navy
• Gymboree
• Lands End  
• These offer a good starting point to putting one or two outfits together.  Then, you can branch out from there once you find a style and color palette that catches your eye.
• Be True to You
• Most importantly, go with the style(s) that fits your family.  If you don't usually wear polos or button-ups, don't come to your session wearing them just because it was suggested in this post.  
• By all means - be true to you!!  If you're not comfortable with what you wearing during the day of the shoot, it will come through in your session.  And we both know, you don't want that!
• If you're still having trouble, or want my opinion about outfits that you've put together, please don't hesitate to contact me.  I really will come to your home and sort through clothes if that what it takes to create a wardrobe you're satisfied with.  Just know, if I see something cute hanging in your closet, I may ask to borrow it...

What to Wear :: Children


The same rules apply to your child/ren's photo session as mentioned above:  

• If there will be more than one child, focus on Coordinating vs. Matching.
• Be sure to use Color & Texture even when dressing your little ones.  
• Patterns are also okay, contrary to popular belief.  Plaids, stripes, ginghams, or polk-a-dots add an element of fun and personality to your photos.
• Just try and steer clear of obvious logos and/or large screen printed items.
• Layering is also great with kids!.
• In addition to reasons mentioned above, layering also serves as a way to add and remove to achieve different "looks" in one session with out a lot of outfit changes (which most kiddos aren't keen on).
• Your child's clothing should definitely represent their style and personality.
• I find a lot of my clients stick to one of four different styles:
• Trendy, Preppy, Classic, or Skater/Punk
• It is also okay to bring a long items that are important to your child such as a favorite blanket, a teddy they never part with, or the skateboard that is stuck under their feet 24/7.
• It is my job to capture their personality in their facial expressions & body language  - their wardrobe should help reflect and enhance these attributes.

• Additional Children's Clothing/Accessory Vendors:
• PDXBeanies
• Mini Boden
• Janie and Jack
• Dimples and Dandelions
• My Baby Rocks
• Punk Baby Clothes
• Lollipop Moon