By Francisco Vilton ·
Outfits are the question we get asked most before a family session. The good news is that the rules are simple, and getting them right makes a bigger difference to the final photos than almost anything else you control.
Coordinate, do not match
Everyone in identical white shirts and jeans was the look for years, and it tends to make a family look like a uniform. Instead, choose a palette of two or three colours that go together and dress each person in a different combination of them.
- Neutrals plus one accent: cream, tan and soft white with a single colour such as rust, sage or navy.
- Tones of one colour: light, medium and dark blues across the family.
- Pull the palette from the location: greens and earth tones for a park, richer colours for a brick downtown setting.
What to avoid
- Large logos, slogans and characters. They pull the eye away from faces.
- Small, busy patterns and thin stripes, which can flicker in photos.
- Neon colours, which reflect onto skin and change skin tone.
- Clothes that are brand new and uncomfortable. If a child hates it, it will show.
Start with one outfit
The easiest way to build a family look is to pick one patterned or statement piece, usually Mom's dress or a child's outfit, and choose everyone else's clothes from the colours in it. The pattern becomes the anchor and everyone else supports it.
Think about texture and layers
Knitwear, denim, linen and soft jackets add depth to photos, especially in fall and winter. Layers also let you change the look mid-session without a full outfit change.
Dressing for the season in Delaware
- Spring: light colours, florals in moderation, light layers for cool evenings.
- Summer: breathable fabrics, and avoid dark colours that show sweat in the heat.
- Fall: warm tones, knits, boots. The most popular season for family photos.
- Winter: coats and scarves in your palette, or a studio session indoors.
Practical tips for the day
- Bring a spare top for small children, just in case.
- Iron or steam everything the night before.
- Choose comfortable shoes that look right on camera; they will be in full-length shots.
- Hair and nails done a day or two before look natural, not fresh out of the salon.
If you are unsure, send us photos of the outfits before your session and we will happily give our opinion. See our family photography sessions in Dover, or read about the best photo spots in Dover.
