"What should we wear?"
So you have decided to take family photos. You have coordinated a date and time with everyone's schedule, and everyone is on board with the plan. Now comes the hard part...WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR TO THE PHOTOSHOOT?? This is probably the most commonly asked question to a photographer. I say...stick with the three C's...COMFORT, COHESION, and CONFIDENCE.
Be comfortable..because this leads to confidence
I may be in the minority on this, but I think you should wear what makes you feel good and be comfortable, BUT still listening to the advice and suggestions of your photographer. And by comfortable, this means you are not pulling on this, tugging on that, hiding a strap, (you get the picture). If you are not dealing with these types of distractions, you feel more confident and relaxed.
I feel this is especially true for men and children (we women are accustomed to being uncomfortable for the sake of fashion). For the most part, the men in the family don't love the idea of taking professional photos, so having them wear something that is too far removed from their norm, or something that makes them feel awkward (like a necktie), will not work out. They will come into the shoot uncomfortable and maybe a little upset, and it will show in the photos. Their confidence in their appearance fades, and let's be honest, men thrive when they feel confident. This goes for kids too, ESPECIALLY if they are so against a particular outfit from the beginning. Allow them to have some input in what they wear - for example, "would you like to wear the blue shirt or the gray shirt?" If they get to "decide" what to wear, they tend to be more confident in their appearance and more excited about the experience. And remember, if you have to always remind them to "leave the tie alone" or "don't touch that bow"...it will not work out.
BE COHESIVE
I understand that some photographers request a certain type of wardrobe or color scheme so that their client images on Instagram and their website are cohesive and reflective of their brand. This makes sense to me, and if a client is good with that, that’s great! A win-win for everyone. As for me, I prefer that you feel good on the inside, because then you will feel (and look) good on the outside. But with that said, COHESION is key. I understand not everyone likes to wear cream, sage, and tan colors. BUT, I also strongly advise against fuchsia pink, neon green, and construction crew orange!
I also strongly discourage distractions like large prints, words, and logos on the clothing - regardless how expensive or high fashion the brand is...Just DON'T Do It!
I do agree most muted, pastel, or earth tone colors are typically more complimentary to all skin tones and photography styles, but bold colors can be great too! It is cohesion with a complimentary color scheme and cohesion in wardrobe style that will produce a lovely image, regardless if dressy or casual. You are who you are, and your photographs should reflect that as well.
comfort, cohesion, confidence
So, with the guidance and suggestions of your photographer, wear something that reflects the type of photographs you want (casual or dressy) and your personality.
- Make sure your clothing fits well and is COMFORTABLE.
- Make sure your group is COHESIVE in color scheme and wardrobe choice.
- And most importantly, be sure the clothing, style, and color scheme you choose makes you feel CONFIDENT and good about yourself.
Want more tips on how to prepare for your upcoming photoshoot? Check out my Prep Guide HERE!
