What To Wear For Your Family Session | Houston Newborn & Family Photographer

 I’ll be honest. I’ve been putting off writing this post. I think maybe I feel the panic, stress, fear, desperation that many of you feel when the dreaded “what to wear” topic is mentioned (or is that just me?!). I have a hard enough time figuring out what I am going to wear on a daily basis. How in the world can I expect my lovely clients to plan for sometimes 5, 6, 10 family members?! So, my goal in writing this post is to write exactly what I think would help ME if I needed help planning outfits for a photo shoot.

Start with Mama 

Houston Family Photographer | Domus Aurea Portraits
www.reneestreett.com

I find that the hardest outfit to choose is my own. So, I always suggest that mom pick out her outfit first and make sure it’s an outfit you LOVE. If you need an excuse to go shopping, this is it! Once mom’s outfit is set, build from there (and let’s be real here…if mama doesn’t like her outfit, she won’t like herself in the pictures.

We are women, it’s how we work. It may be vain but it’s just the way it goes!). Do NOT pick out something you aren’t completely excited about wearing for your session! Forget about the comfort of the outfit, the fact that this may be the only time you wear it, or that you chose high heeled shoes (they look  FANTASTIC, don’t they?!) and you have a 2 year old running around (don’t worry, Dad can help there!).

Bright and colorful is so fun!

You need to feel gorgeous! And believe me, that photo will be AMAZING because you chose to wear the outfit you’ve wanted to wear since you had kids but never did because it just didn’t seem rational. Well, now it is. And hey, now that you have that awesome outfit, go ahead and plan a date night with your sexy fella! So, what have we learned here? Do what isn’t natural for a mama, start with mama first.

Stick With Three Colors

(or four if you know you’ve got color blending skillzzzz)

It’s always helpful to start with three colors. Three is naturally pleasing to the eye (in design, photography, all of life, really!). This DOES NOT mean that these three colors have to be in EVERY SINGLE outfit chosen. This simply means that you choose three colors and create a cohesive wardrobe based on those colors. I also tell my clients to start with a neutral and build from there (but that’s just a suggestion, feel free to do your own thing here!).

Take a look at the different ways these families chose to work with color.

Necklaces, Bows, Hats = Perfection!

ACCESSORIZE

You can really add extra layers of fun with accessories. Accessories add texture and color and if you’re nervous about going too bold with clothing choices, accessories are a great place to add some pop! Scarves are an option that I love for added color during the fall and winter.  Colorful jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings) look wonderful on Mom. Dads can wear ties (if they’re up for it – ha!). Little boys look handsome in ties, bow ties & hats (think newsboy cap — PRECIOUS!) and little girls look adorable in just about any accessory you want to put on them (easy breezy, right?!).

Pinterest

And if all else fails, PINTEREST! What would we do without it? I love Pinterest. And really, you can go ahead and just forget all I said. If you want to make this as easy as possible, go to my Pinterest page and I’ve created a board just for you here: Family Session Wardrobe Inspiration Board, and copy one of those outfits! You can’t go wrong that way!! :)

That’s a Wrap

If you’ve managed to read all of this…then, I have no doubt you will look INCREDIBLE at our session. And thanks for sticking with me! And if you think this post will benefit others, share with your friends by sharing on Facebook and Pinterest. Also, don’t forget — I love comments! :)