WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR FAMILY SHOOT


Deciding what to wear in your family photos can a daunting task!  These are photos you are going to hang on your walls for you to cherish for many years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn't need to be. Use these tips to help you pick out the perfect wardrobe for you and your family. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.


  • HOME DECOR: First things first, have a look at your home decor. Do you like bright colours or neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colours of your clothing go with the colour scheme of your home.


  • CONSIDER THE LOCATION: Have a look at your venue. If you have a neutral background, you can make the photos pop by bringing some colour into a piece of clothing. With a colourful background you can be sure that neutral colours will look stunning (black, white, grey, beige, cream or pastels). For example, if your venue is in a park with lots of greenery, a bright pink skirt is not the way to go, rather consider perhaps a white with some very subtle greens. Alternatively, in an urban environment or bushveld with lots of dry grass that has a less colourful background, clothing with a pop of colour will look great! 


  • COORDINATING COLOURS, NOT MATCHING: Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching with each other. Instead, pick a couple of colours and choose clothes that will fit in the colour scheme.

  • SOLIDS OR SIMPLE PATTERNS: Stick to solids, however,  patterns can also be very flattering. Keep the patterns to one or two people though. Perhaps a nice pair of jeans with a top with a pattern. Big, bold patterns tend to photograph best. For obvious reasons, items of clothing with logos and characters are a huge no-no when it comes to your photos. After all, you don't want to look like a walking advertisement and your little one may love their Frozen shirt but you may want to skip it for the family photo session. Just like too much pattern, characters on shirts can be rather distracting.

  • ACCESSORIZE: Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Necklaces for the kids to play with, colourful scarves or hats, can be a great way to add more personality.

  • MAKE-UP & HAIR: Keep it natural. For the ladies, hair should be styled naturally. In other words, if you don’t usually wear your hair in a formal up-do, skip it. Choose natural make-up that makes you feel beautiful, although it’s always a good idea to overdo your make-up just a tiny little bit, as it will be less visible in photos, then add a light layer of powder to reduce shine, just before the session.


  • PLAN AHEAD: Once you've booked your session, start thinking of the clothes right away. You may think certain clothes will fit your kids or that one dress is clean. It helps if clothes are clean, ironed, and on hangers a few days before the shoot so you don’t have to worry about it the day of the session. And don’t forget about shoes! They’re an important part of your wardrobe -  there’s nothing worse than a beautiful outfit that’s ruined by scruffy shoes.

  • CLASSIC: These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosing simple, classic clothes you will help give your photographs a timeless feel.

At the end of the day, what's important to me as a photographer is that your session is an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Everyone should be relaxed and have some fun! 


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