What to Wear for Family Photos

January 21, 2024

Forget complicated color palettes! This post is all about keeping it simple — just use this palette! These colors work together seamlessly in any combination and quantity for your family photo shoot.

Simplify Your Family Photos with Earth Tones!

Why Earth Tones?

Earth tones, like warm browns, soft greens, and muted blues, have a timeless quality that never goes out of style. They complement various skin tones and backgrounds, creating a balanced and harmonious look in your photos. Choosing earth tones ensures that your family pictures stay beautiful not just today, but for years to come.

Versatility and Coordination:

The best part about earth tones? They’re super versatile! These colors effortlessly go hand-in-hand, allowing family members to wear different shades while still looking perfectly coordinated. This flexibility opens up a world of outfit choices, letting everyone showcase their unique style while contributing to the overall unity of the group. It’s easy, it’s friendly, and it makes your family photos a breeze!

Extended Family photo session in Portland, OR

Simple tips to make your family photos look better.

Color

Please don’t wear any bright white! Off-white or cream colors can provide a softer, more natural look that complements skin tones better. It’s also a good idea to avoid wearing too many pieces in the same shade of white, as it can wash out your complexion. Instead, consider wearing white as an accent piece and pairing it with other colors to add depth and interest to your outfit.
Too much blue in one outfit can give a cool tone to the overall look. It’s best to limit the amount of blue to one or two pieces per person or to use it as an accent color. You can balance out the coolness of blue by pairing it with neutral tones like beige or gray. Keeping the blue to a minimum can create a more harmonious look for your photo session.
Bright red can reflect on the skin. Muted shades of red, such as burgundy, can provide a more balanced and flattering look. Additionally, burgundy can be paired with a wide range of colors, adding depth and interest to your outfit.

Patterns

Solid colors or small prints can add interest to your outfit without being too distracting.
Avoiding branding or logos on your clothing can help keep the focus on you and create a more timeless look in your photos
When choosing clothes with a pattern, make sure that the pattern is not too big, and a tiny and contrasting pattern looks strange in the photo. A good example is a men’s shirt with a tiny check or stripe.

Comfort and Confidence

Wearing natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk can provide a comfortable and breathable feel for your photo session.
Wearing clothes that are too tight or too short can be uncomfortable and distracting in photos, as well as drawing attention to areas you may not want to highlight. Similarly, wearing high heels can make you appear taller, but can also be uncomfortable and take away from the natural flow of the shoot. If you do decide to wear heels, consider bringing a backup pair of shoes that you can change into if needed.

The goal of a photo session is to capture you looking and feeling your best, so it’s important to wear clothing that allows you to be yourself and feel confident.

If you’re unsure about the kind of photos you want, feel free to browse through my portfolio. There are many locations and styles to inspire your own images. I’m here to collaborate with you, ensuring that your experience is fantastic, and the photos are perfect for your family.

Preparation is Key

Reach out to me before the session, and we can discuss everything thoroughly to create a plan. Being prepared makes the day more relaxed, allowing you to truly enjoy the moment.

About Irina Smagina Photography

I provide photography services in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, and the surrounding areas, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Oregon City, Sherwood, Gresham, Camas, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, and more. Specializing in lifestyle and natural photography, my goal is to capture timeless moments that will hold significance for years to come.