What to Wear to Your Family Portrait Session
THE BEST DRESSED FAMILY AWARD GOES TO:
This family did a great job coordinating their wardrobe for their photo session! What really makes their outfits work is a color palette that carries through each outfit.
Here are my tips on how to create a great looking wardrobe for your family photo shoot!
FALL 2024 FASHION THOUGHTS
I love heading to the store this time of year and finding you all the hot colors and cool fashion trends so that you can dress your family and feel amazing for your sessions!
Florals are still here, but re-imagined in more of a 70s throw back. One of my favorite looks is here for fall – capes, scarf coats, and blankets-as-outerwear will add a touch of luxury to your fall looks. Some designers call it a “security blanket.” It makes you look put together with minimal effort. I’m obsessed, but that’s also because I’ve got two capes in my closet already!
Midi skirt lengths and some western inspired looks are also in this season – fringes, fluffy edging, ruffles, lots of textures and layers. I’m seeing this a lot at stores like Target, Kohls, and Old Navy. Bows, ruffles, and rosettes suggest we can all embrace our feminine era!
Here’s a great write up on trends that you probably already have in your own closet!
Keep reading for updates on the trending colors and my advice for your fall wardrobe..
Leather jackets are always trending in my opinion. Denim jackets are in this season.
FALL 2024 COLOR PALETTE
Pantone’s fall colors have some vibrant pops this year and Viva Magenta seems to be the hot color! Purple is showing up a lot more and in a variety of hues, but I’m not sure whether this Eclipse color is more purple or blue!. Muted neutrals are trending as well. You can view all the colors of fall here!
MY BEST ADVICE FOR YOUR 2024 FALL PHOTO WARDROBE & Trending Styles
This season I’m recommending adding layers with scarves or denim jackets.
Denim, farm/western inspired is in. Lean in to that trend for a timeless look or flip entirely to a boho look with flowing skirts and lace/eyelets/crochet.
Newly trending: Even larger blanket/scarves are hot right now. I love a good plaid in any color and scarves are my best friend this time of year. It’s a great way to coordinate the entire family’s wardrobe by bringing in colors from one plaid pattern.
While the trends are always fun and sometimes easy to shop for….wear the colors that make you happy and don’t be afraid to dip into your closet and pull something out that you love and already own.
To read & watch more on trending colors and styles, here’s another site I love to reference:
https://www.glamour.com/about/fall-fashion-trends
Keep reading on how to pick your final wardrobe……
HOW TO START
*Start with one outfit for one person and build the other outfits around that
*Choose 2-3 colors and stick with those
*Don’t strive to be exactly matching! Coordinating through color brings it all together!
PHOTO SESSION WARDROBE for ADULTS
*Avoid large patterns, flourescents, logos, and white shirts
*Wear what makes you feel great! i.e. if you LOVE leggings, do it. If you LOVE dresses, do it. If you LOVE jeans, do it. Just not all at once. 🙂
*Carefully consider your shoes. They will be in pictures. Sandals and boots are especially nice. Running shoes are not.
*Think seasonally: in spring and summer avoid green; it’s simply too much with the backgrounds that time of year. Dress for the weather no matter the time of year, you don’t want coats in summer and sleeveless in winter.
*Think LAYERS! In fall: layer on scarves, vests, & cute jackets that fit snug; In spring: layer on accessories like lightweight scarves, long necklaces, or belts. Even lightweight jackets, jean jackets, or lighter layering pieces look lovely.
PHOTO SESSION WARDROBE for CHILDREN
*Choose clothes that fit perfectly
*timeless classic dresses or polos are great. Some of my favorite brands are Good Lad (seersucker dresses and beautifully appliqued clothing) and Bonnie Jean. You can even find fabulous coordinating clothes for girls and boys at Target!
*Avoid large patterns, flourescents, logos, white shirts, and character shirts.
*Small patterns, sweet appliques, and plaids are fabulous if you want prints in your pictures.
*Dresses with flowing skirts and a lot of movement are really fun for pictures
*Carefully consider shoes: NO flip flops, crocs, or character shoes; YES to boots, Toms, converse, mary janes, wellies, or even barefoot!
*Think Layers: hats, glasses, bows, headbands, vests, sweaters, and tights finish off outfits and bring it all together.
FINALLY, A HUG FOR YOU IN WORD FORM…
I know many of us have things about our bodies that we just don’t like. This is your gentle reminder that your body has done amazing things. It has lived through a pandemic, raised children, and folded mountains of laundry. Your arms give hugs. Your shoulders bear burdens. Your smile gives light and hope. Your body is just a vessel for your amazing self and not the defining characteristic of who you are.
And if that’s not convincing, this is your gentle reminder that showing up for these photos is a great act of love. Your children don’t notice all those things about you, but they do notice if you’re not there. My daughter tucked a photo of us in her backpack on the first day of kindergarten. She carried it every day that first year. It was her way of taking us with her. I guarantee that she wasn’t checking my gray hairs or the size of my pants, but she sure did need that picture.
If you want to learn more about dressing for your “body type” – and I say that with great love and gentleness because all bodies are beautiful – drop me a message and I’ll send you some of my favorite guides.
Dressing my family for a photo session is my biggest headache. They all have different body types, different styles they love, and I have that one teen that always says “But WHY do I have to wear something nice?” I hope that this guide helped you overcome some of those challenges. If you’re still stuck or need some advice or just want a second opinion, feel free to text me your outfit ideas or we can zoom call together to chat all things photo wardrobe!
Happy Shopping!
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Need wardrobe advice for your Newborn Photo Session? Check it out here.