I’m a nature enthusiast who adores greens and wildflowers, a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a dedicated lifestyle photographer. I have loved taking photos since I was little and could handle a disposable camera. I have since perfected the art of seizing bright, candid moments that encapsulate your family’s authentic connections. I believe you deserve visuals that celebrate the splendor of your daily life while you navigate the delightful chaos of parenthood.
Does the thought of choosing outfits for family photos stress you out? You know you want to capture beautiful photos of your kids before they get older but the thought of all the prep gets in the way. Choosing what to wear for you family photos doesn’t have to be hard! Here are my TOP TIPS for prepping outfits that can help you feel more relaxed and ready to figure this out.
I recommend starting with ideas for a few colors you’d like to use in your photos. First, decide whether you want lighter tones or darker tones. Dramatically mixing tones can cause your outfits to look distracting. Lighter tones are better for ‘light and airy’ photographs that are more bright and darker tones are better for ‘dark and moody’ photographs that tend to emphasize shadows. If you’re unsure what these looks are like put them in Google and you’ll get lots of examples! Mid-tones which are bolder in color but not super heavy or dark can more easily be mixed with these two looks.
The next thing to think about when deciding colors is the time of year and location that your photos will be taken in. If you’re taking photos in the winter and there’s a lot of snow, bolder or darker colors tend to look nice against the bright snow. If you’re taking photos in the spring with lush green fields, it may be best to avoid using green as a main color. The same rule applies to fall with the changing leaves.
Once you have these ideas in mind, you can start to choose the actual colors you’d like to use. Try picking two or three colors that blend well together and coordinate! Try experimenting with different
shades of colors, or adding different prints or fabrics to the mix. There are lots of examples of color pallets on Pinterest. Avoid colors that are close to skin color as it will make it harder for the photographer to edit. Most colors can look nice together if they have similar tones.
Neutrals are the subtle colors that help link everyone’s outfits together. Examples are white, cream, grey, black, beige, tan, etc. Having one or two neutrals spread throughout people’s outfits helps to create a unifying look.
Do you want your photos to look more classy or casual? Casual looks can include jeans, and nicer looking T-shirts. If you feel very uncomfortable wearing nicer clothes this may be the route you choose. However, I HIGHLY recommend dressing up for your family pictures. You will feel better about how you look and your kids tend to be more well behaved. There are a lot of ways to dress up your photos. For women I suggest wearing a dress that you feel great in. You can also add layers by using jackets, cardigans, hats, etc. For men I suggest wearing a button-up shirt and nicer pants than jeans. Kids can also be dressed in a similar way to their parents.
Once you have an idea of what colors you’d like to use and the look you’re going for, I suggest picking Mom’s outfit first. I want Mom to feel GREAT during the photos so I argue that her outfit is the most important. Once you have that starting point, it’s easier to pick outfits for everyone else that go with it. Keep in mind that kids may grow out of things depending on how far into the future your shoot is scheduled.
Honestly, outfits can be very simple and still look stunning. You can look for solid colored shirts, dresses, etc. at most clothing stores including the ones you already shop at! No need to throw hundreds of dollars into outfits at boutique sites. You can also plan ahead of time and take advantage of sales throughout the year.
If you plan on using me as your photographer, I am always more than happy to give feedback on my client’s outfits. Feel free to check out some of their outfits here!
Copyright 2024 Jessica Gilbert Photography
@jessicagilbertphotos
family & newborn Photography in Utah County
(801) 540-5243