WHAT TO WEAR
FOR YOUR STORY
Figuring out what to wear to your family photo shoot is not easy, and I know it can be stressful, so here are some tips from a local Brisbane family photographer (that’s me!) for selecting the right outfits.
The colours, patterns, and textures you wear make a HUGE difference in how your photos will look. Put a family in a field wearing all blue & white (please don’t do this) and it will look very different than a family wearing what you see in the photos on this page.
How to Dress Your Family
First, you need to decide what kind of feel you are going for. If you are wanting a warm colour palette, consider mustard, brown, rust, cream, burgundy, and taupe. If you want a lighter, more pastel palette, choose clothing that is neutral and light toned. Colours that would look great for this are cream, white, beige, grey, muted pinks and purples, coral, rose, and light blues. If you are looking for a dark and moody look, choose some moodier colours, but mix in some lighter colours with it to keep it from looking TOO dark. Another idea would be to choose a couple of pops of colour but keep the rest neutral.
Please Do:
- choose well-fitting clothing and something that you feel confident in
- start with the pickiest person’s clothing first, then build everyone else’s outfits off of that.
- coordinate, don’t match
- change up textures and prints
- always add in lots of neutral colours
Please Avoid:
- thin, close together stripes (it has an odd effect in photographs)
- small plaid, checkered, or buffalo prints (also looks weird in photos), especially in very contrasting colours (like a light with a dark colour)
- large logos, cartoon characters, or words on your clothing (unless you’re very intentional, like you’re going for a 70’s vibe and want a vintage graphic tee)
- too many dark colours, as it makes photos look dull (especially black, avoid black tops). I’m also not a big fan of navy for the same reason.
- neon colours, they make colour casts onto skin and it’s not pretty
- bright white. It is very reflective and you might end up with bright spots under your chin, or on someone else’s face if they are close to you. A great alternative is off-white or cream.
Don’t Forget To Coordinate Shoes!
This is usually the thing most people forget about, and it really makes a difference. Know what always looks amazing? Brown shoes. Stay away from athletic shoes and shoes with neon colours, even on the soles. Wear shoes that go with the style you are wearing. Unless your session is in your home or on the beach, and in that case, ditch the shoes! Also make sure that socks are chosen intentionally, especially for kids. Pants will ride up and show socks so be sure they coordinate with your outfits.