How to Style Family Photos
It's that time of the year again and family photos are upon us! I've had so many people ask me about what to wear for family photos, so I thought I'd share my tips and tricks here on my blog. A few years ago I wrote this blog post about how to create family photos, but this one specifically we will go over actual styling. I've been styling me and Robbie for years {and now our family of three!}, as well as my side of the family, too. It's always so fun for me to create a mood board of colors, patterns, textures, etc. and then have it all come to life in family photos. Sharing my best styling tips below!
Choose a color scheme
This is what I always choose first! We usually take family photos in the summer or winter, so that helps narrow down colors for me. From there, I'll usually get on Pinterest and search my specific color scheme for family photo inspo. For example, my family came to Arizona last Thanksgiving. Taz was six weeks old, so I really wanted to get family photos taken with him. As a family, we wore soft colors, with pops of fall hues. They turned out so pretty!
Choose a location
I personally feel that choosing a location is just as much about styling as choosing my outfit! They go hand and hand, especially when it comes to the time of year you are shooting. We've worn hues of blue and teal at the beach, festive colors for Christmas cards, fall tones at a beautiful outdoor park, etc. Pick your color scheme and then choose a location that coordinates!
Coordinate, don't match
Long gone are the days of everyone wearing white tops and denim! Share your color scheme with your family and then let them choose their own outfits. That way, they have the perimeters of where to start, but can also have some free range on their outfit. You want to go for a planned coordinated look, not a forced matchy-matchy shot.
Add prints, textures, and movement
As someone who is very visual, it's important for me to see depth in photos. If you're doing photos in the summer, have someone wear a flowy maxi dress for movement. Have someone else wear a printed top. If you're doing photos in the fall, have someone wear a faux fur vest with a dress. Have someone else wear a wool jacket or a long scarf. You don't want your photos to fall flat, since most likely they will be printed and hanging up in someone's house or as a holiday card on someone's fridge! Adding prints, texture, and movement will not only add depth to your photos, but also make the photos interesting. Some prints I love: florals, plaids, vertical stripes, gingham, and checkered. Some textures I love: faux fur, velvet or velour, ruffles, sequins, and pleats. Some movement I love: maxi dress or skirt, long cardigan, wide leg pants, flowy hair.
Make sure everyone is comfortable
This is key. I take photos for a living, but most people do not and can feel very uncomfortable in front of the camera. This is why it's so important to let family members choose their own outfits, but with some guidelines. You want your family member to feel like him/herself! That's the best way to help make others feel comfortable taking photos. As an added little body positive note, family photos are NOT the time to buy something a size or two too small, in hopes it will fit when family photos come around. Buy what currently fits and you'll feel a million times better come photo day {and less stressed... been there!}. Also as a note, don't try a new hair style or makeup look the day of photos... you want to feel most like your self and you might not like how a new style photographs!
Keep it Simple
Family photos can be very stressful, but they don't have to be! If you're not someone who has a knack for styling the entire family, head to Pinterest for some inspo. Keep it simple in clothes you all like to wear, shoot nearby your home, and bring small, non-messy candies as bribes for kids {haha... but really!}. For me, the entire point of family photos is to freeze time and create memories. Candids are my favorites!
For more tips on all aspects of family photos, see this blog post. Hope this was helpful! Leaving photo examples from over the years below! xx
