5 Tips for What to Wear in Family Photos

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‘Tis the season for family photos! Photos are cherished for a lifetime and an investment for many, so looking picture perfect is a must! Below are five simple tips to keep in mind when selecting your wardrobe and location for your photos.

1. Choose a color scheme
Pick a color scheme that uses a minimum of three colors and at most five. This will ensure there is enough variety that you aren’t matching and yet keep everything cohesive. Keep in mind the location of your shoot. Pick colors that will stand out in your location whether that would be blue water, green grass or brick buildings. You may also want to keep the color scheme of your home in mind if you have a hard time choosing.

2. Choose textures and patterns
The old days of matching are over. Images look more interesting with a variety of color (tip above) and patterns. Rather than everyone wearing jeans and a top, identify one or two people to wear jeans and the others to wear khakis or a dress or a skirt. For men adding a tweed blazer or wool sweater to layer over an outfit will give an opportunity for variety in photos because those items can be taken on and off. For women, sequins and silks have shine which create sparkle in the sunlight. They are always nice choices for photos.

3. Identify props
A bit camera shy? Use props to keep your mind off the camera. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee sitting at table with your family. If you’re a bit more festive, you could bring a garland or Christmas lights and wrap yourself up in them. Props also help create a mood and setting. Many families choose to take pictures in parks or wide open spaces with the chance of overpowering the subject of the photo. Setting up a picnic in the park would help define the space and offer props to interact with.

4. Professional Hair & Makeup

Without a face photos don’t mean as much, so make sure your face is picture perfect. These family photos are ones that will be cherished for a lifetime, and you want to make sure they come out as you expect. Professionals will cover up blemishes and tame fly-aways with their attention to detail. They will also know what is most flattering and complementary to your outfit choices. If hiring professionals is out of budget, use HD foundation makeup, false lashes and a bright lip color. Those three things will help your face look its best.

5. Identify Location

Once your outfits have been selected identify your location for your photos. Choose a place that will complement your outfits. For example, if someone chooses a bright red dress, a red brick wall would not be a great choice for a background because the tones of red clash. If location is most important, choose that first and the outfits accordingly.