What to wear for family photos (2023, spring and summer)

Outfits guide and tips

 



Clothes are.. .well, clothes. They are a daily necessity, they reflect our personality. And clothes are crucial for the photos to turn out great - imagine the two children above wearing say stripy leggings and pink Peppa Pig sweatshirt and green dress with pineapple and banana print. Won't be exactly the same, right?

So where do we start when dressing your kids or your whole family for a photo shoot? If you are looking for ideas and inspiration, you've come to the right place! We need clothes which are timeless and classic, because these photos will make a memory for a long time. Let’s start with some simple yes and no.

No:

  • Bright neon colors
  • Sport t-shirts and leggings
  • Uncomfortable, stiff clothes that you or your kids cannot comfortably move in
  • Clothes with characters and large printed logos (sorry favourite Frozen dress!)
  • Big bold patterns (floral, stripes etc)
  • Everyone wearing same thing (like jeans and white tshirts)

Yes:

  • Muted natural earthy colors
  • Small patterns (floral, check or stripe) and texture (lace, knit patterns, embroidery) 
  • Appropriate for the photo shoot location (for example, high heels in a park, bare feet on the beach) and the weather 
  • Comfortable to wear and move in (and we move a lot during the shoot!)
  • Favourite accessories like hat, scarf, necklace or bracelet


Next - decide about colours. 


Choose the ones you like looking at, because they will remain with you - on the photos - for a long time. A good idea could be to look around your home - if you plan to hang photos above the sofa, what colour is it? 

Pick up to 4 main colours which coordinate. Everybody should not wear the same colours, but the colours should look good together. Consider the location where your photo-session will take place - your outfits should match the location in colour, and also in style.  

Here are some examples of colour combinations (palettes) for spring and summer.



Once decided about colours, check what clothes fit this palette, pay attention to different textures and patterns to create a beautiful mix.

Tips: 

  • Go for a mix of lighter and darker colors (for example, light top and blue or denim shorts)
  • Add some neutral items in beige or light grey 
  • 1-2 patterns mixed with plain colours (for example, small flowers on your daughter’s dress, little boats on your son’s t-shirt, stripes on your husband’s shirt) 
  • Add some texture (lace or embroidery on dresses or blouses)
  • Clothes need to be a good fit - especially at the change of seasons. Maybe the favourite outfits from last summer don’t fit your kids anymore and you need to do some shopping!
  • If you decide to go shopping for your kids (or the whole family), consider going for the same brand - this way you are sure the style and color palette matches, it just makes everything so much easier! 
  • Pay attention to shoes - they must fit with the outfit and the location
  • Make-up does not need to be more or darker/brighter colors than usual
  • Be careful with white - it makes our bodies or body parts look bigger than they really are.
  • Accessories like scarf or hat or necklace add nice detail to photos, so if you have a favourite piece that suits the idea and location where we do photos - take it!

Few words about toys and other ‘props’


Frequent question, when young children are involved - what else do we need to bring? Toys (1 or 2 max), blanket to sit on, books, little basket to collect treasures can be useful. We’ll find plenty of natural props on the photo shoot location that are fun to play with - sticks, grass, little pebbles, flowers and leaves.


Toys - again we need something classic and timeless in the colors that match the outfits. Favourite Barbie should better stay home (sorry Barbie!). Wooden toys photograph well, also soft toys and dolls made of fabric. For blankets - knitted ones with texture (cable or lace pattern) work best for younger children and babies. As alternative, large linen or lace scarf can be used too.



Special message for moms. 


Wear clothes that flatter your body, and in which you can move comfortably. Because we will move a lot during the shoot - we will walk, sit, play, hug and tickle kids… - so you should be able to lift your arms without restriction, sit comfortably, chase them on the beach and have fun! We don’t want to worry about falling straps, fabric that is stiff and makes creases and folds in strangest places. 

Last but not least - personal advice after years of photographing women, also new mothers with newborn babies, and myself with my magic 5 kg -/+ between seasons. Wear something that fits well, shows and flatters your figure. Baggy clothing is comfortable, but it does not photograph well and often makes you look bigger or gives a strange shape to your body. Go for something fitted instead, or combination of fitted and loose (jeans and a blouse for example). Check in the mirror, which clothing gives you the shape you like to see when you are standing - this is the one!




Like what I do? Get in touch, let's chat about photos of your family!

Get in touch!

Piú letti

Servizio fotografico Natale 2023

Buono regalo per un servizio fotografico

Servizio fotografico di famiglia - offerta speciale

Come vestirsi per la tua sessione fotografica

Photo a day - September

9 essential tips for taking great photos of your kids on the beach

7 motivi per fare il tuo servizio fotografico di famiglia all'aperto

I luoghi migliori a Palermo per fotografare la tua famiglia

Quanto costa un servizio fotografico di famiglia

Behind the scenes - photo session with kids