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What to Wear to a Family Photoshoot
Choosing the perfect attire for your family photoshoot can significantly elevate the overall look of your pictures. Your wardrobe selections have the power to transform your images, allowing everyone to look their absolute best. To help you achieve stunning results, here are some simple steps to guide you in looking amazing.
Say "Yes" to the Dress!
You want your family pictures to be really special, so your outfit choices should reflect that. I love to suggest that ladies wear a long flowy dress for a photoshoot – it’s super slimming and attractive on everyone and gives a soft look to the photos. Dresses are also great for little girls as they create movement. How fun are "twirls!"
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Wear lighter colors for a softer and more airy look
When styling a photo session, I recommend soft pinks, blues, and whites as well as muted colors. Softer colors will create a more dreamy, gentle look. Lighter colors are also more flattering to the skin and you avoid any risk of color casting (which is when colors from the clothes reflect off the skin). Stick with light colors and low contrast patterns!
Incorporate different textures
Utilize a variety of textures to add visual interest to your look. Furs, sweaters, scarves, textured fabrics -- all of these things add that extra umph, making the difference between a basic image and an extraordinary one.
Coordinate rather than match
Pick a soft color palette and have the family work around it. It works best to start with mom. Let her pick what she feels most beautiful in and the rest of the family work around her! If you plan to hang the pictures in your home as canvases or wall art, take into consideration the colors of your home.
Add a pop of color
Another option is to start with a neutral color scheme and add a pop of a single bright color. This will add interest and pizzazz to an otherwise calm color scheme. A blue color scheme with pops of pink, mauve, or yellow is a great combination!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
Should you wear the hat? Yes! That bowtie? 100% Yes! Accessories will add interest, dimension, and spark to your photos creating images that you will treasure! Add scarves, jewelry, jackets, sparkles, bowties, special shoes, boots, vests, statement earrings, elegant necklaces, hair bows, or flower crowns. Dress little girls in tulle and little boys in cowboy hats or bowties! Any of these accessories will take your pictures to the next level!
Be careful with patterns
Patterns are okay... Just be sure they are small and tight so as not to distract from the subject! Since you want the focus to be on faces, it's best to wear patterns that are low contrast rather than high contrast. Avoid anything busy!
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Colors to avoid
It's best to avoid black or anything dark (like burgundy) in your photos. Also avoid any busy or high contrast patterns (like big stripes.)
Wear clothes that fit
It is much more flattering to all body types to wear attire that fits rather than baggy clothing. Try to avoid "swing" style dresses that just hang from the shoulders - they are not flattering to most figures!
Go heavier with makeup
For ladies, I always recommend going darker and heavier with make-up than usual. This applies especially to lipstick and mascara. (Do not go heavier with eyeliner as it can make the eyes look smaller)
Plan ahead!
Be sure to think through your photoshoot wardrobe far in advance of your shoot date. Try on everything to make sure it all still fits. (You want to avoid the stress of any last-minute scrambles). If you need further assistance or want to run some ideas by me, definitely reach out! I'd love to help! :-)
Click here for Where to Shop!
Click here for Where to Shop for dresses!
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