CHICAGO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
The most commonly asked question I get is, “What should I wear?” Whether you’re a fashionista or capsule wardrobe minimalist, almost everyone considers what they wear when booking a photo session. It’s for good reason, too- The fit of the clothing lends to highlighting flattering body shapes, and colors impact the shoot’s overall vibe. Choosing your outfits doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, so allow me to help you figure out what to wear with this family photo shoot guide!
Just remember that first and foremost, YOU are what’s most important, not the clothes or the current fashion trends. But with that said, I like to document you (and your family) as the best version of yourselves.
Moms (or the pickiest adult) should go first.
Let’s face it: Moms are usually the pickiest when it comes to family wardrobe styling. If you recently had a baby, your postpartum body shape and size changes. It’s easiest if the pickiest adult makes their outfit selection FIRST. Then, everyone else can coordinate accordingly.
FIT is everything.
Kids go through growth spurt phases, so it’s crucial to inventory what still fits in everyone’s closets. Resist the urge to buy clothing a few sizes bigger for your child to grow into. Too big of a fit = sloppy on camera. If you have to adjust it constantly, don’t wear it!
Neutrals are timeless.
Neutrals and earth tones are an easy go-to color palette. Choose the color tones that best complement your skin tone, and you can always layer complementary colors with different pieces. If you have a fair complexion, avoiding bright reds, oranges, and hot pink tops is best to prevent a ‘rosacea’ glow in your photos.
Don’t dress everyone in the same thing.
Remember the 90s trend where families on the beach wore white shirts and khaki pants? Trends like that are an easy way to quickly date your family portraits in the future. Avoid matching kids in the exact same outfit unless they actually sport that in real life. (Young twins are an exception!)
Note: In many instances, it’s possible to change your outfit during your photoshoot. If you’re interested in this, please communicate with me so I can help you coordinate the location + time of day with your clothing so that it’s all cohesive.
If you have any questions about your wardrobe outfits, feel free to send me a message via text or email. Most of my clients usually send me a quick snap of the outfit choices, and I’m happy to weigh in! (Fun fact: My mom used to be a fashion designer in S. Korea back in the day; I also worked in retail fashion from high school through all of my college years!)
