Family photos: wardrobe advice?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have advice on how to best get a coordinated (but not matchy) look going for family photos? We have 3 kids, boy and 2 girls, plus mom and dad. I'm feeling stressed about figuring it out. Kids have lots of cute clothes, so I was thinking if I figure out their outfits, then I could base DH and my outfit off of the kids. Wanting the kids to "pop" so kind of thinking DH and I in neutrals, but I don't know. Help! Where do people begin when sorting this out?

[Anonymous]

I would look for a photo that you like with a similar background and copy their color scheme. For my family pics we aren't matchy. We do soft colors and neutrals so the pictures blend in well with our decor.

[Anonymous]

Summer - We did various colors of blue jeans, and everyone wore a different color pastel polo. DH green, DS blue, DD1 purple, DD2 aqua, DD3 pink, etc.

Winter: everyone wore a solid color ribbed sweater. DH brown, Me, black, DS navy blue, DD1 olive green, DD2 purple, DD3, red.

The key is to have some sort of theme, and do solid colors. Don't worry about the kids popping - by nature kids are vibrant and they will pop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Summer - We did various colors of blue jeans, and everyone wore a different color pastel polo. DH green, DS blue, DD1 purple, DD2 aqua, DD3 pink, etc.

Winter: everyone wore a solid color ribbed sweater. DH brown, Me, black, DS navy blue, DD1 olive green, DD2 purple, DD3, red.

The key is to have some sort of theme, and do solid colors. Don't worry about the kids popping - by nature kids are vibrant and they will pop.

Please don’t follow this advice, OP. You might as well all wear khakis and white tops.

First, pick a color palette you like. Google “2019 Fall color palette” for inspiration. Ask yourself what you plan to do with the photos? (Hang a big portrait in your living room or the stairway? Then think about what colors would work there?) Use it for the Christmas card? (Do you want a card with traditional holiday colors? Metallics?) Are you doing pictures in a park where all the leaves have already turned or a more urban setting where brighter colors would pop instead of compete?

If you still don’t know where to start after asking yourself those questions and looking at palettes online then pick a single clothing item of clothing as your inspiration. Maybe your daughter has a gorgeous fall floral dress or you have a new top that looks great on you. Start there and then pull in other items that blend but aren’t exact matches. Ideally, no one should match (although I know a lot of people like same gendered kids to be in the same outfit so if that’s your style that’s fine) but otherwise give everyone their own look—meaning you shouldn’t ALL wear jeans or the same type of shirt if your goal is to not some day look back and cringe.

Also, layers look great in photos—add a sweater, vest, scarf, statement necklace etc. to at least a few of the outfits. Limit bold/competing patterns; you certain don’t all have to be in solid colors but if your daughter wears a large floral print dress then don’t wear a floral top and if one son is in rugby stripes don’t put your husband in a bold plaid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Summer - We did various colors of blue jeans, and everyone wore a different color pastel polo. DH green, DS blue, DD1 purple, DD2 aqua, DD3 pink, etc.

Winter: everyone wore a solid color ribbed sweater. DH brown, Me, black, DS navy blue, DD1 olive green, DD2 purple, DD3, red.

The key is to have some sort of theme, and do solid colors. Don't worry about the kids popping - by nature kids are vibrant and they will pop.

Please don’t follow this advice, OP. You might as well all wear khakis and white tops.

First, pick a color palette you like. Google “2019 Fall color palette” for inspiration. Ask yourself what you plan to do with the photos? (Hang a big portrait in your living room or the stairway? Then think about what colors would work there?) Use it for the Christmas card? (Do you want a card with traditional holiday colors? Metallics?) Are you doing pictures in a park where all the leaves have already turned or a more urban setting where brighter colors would pop instead of compete?

If you still don’t know where to start after asking yourself those questions and looking at palettes online then pick a single clothing item of clothing as your inspiration. Maybe your daughter has a gorgeous fall floral dress or you have a new top that looks great on you. Start there and then pull in other items that blend but aren’t exact matches. Ideally, no one should match (although I know a lot of people like same gendered kids to be in the same outfit so if that’s your style that’s fine) but otherwise give everyone their own look—meaning you shouldn’t ALL wear jeans or the same type of shirt if your goal is to not some day look back and cringe.

Also, layers look great in photos—add a sweater, vest, scarf, statement necklace etc. to at least a few of the outfits. Limit bold/competing patterns; you certain don’t all have to be in solid colors but if your daughter wears a large floral print dress then don’t wear a floral top and if one son is in rugby stripes don’t put your husband in a bold plaid.

100%

Here are some other tips
https://www.stylehouseinteriors.com/how-to-choose-outfits-for-family-photos/

http://mistyjeaninephotography.com/family-session-style-guide/

[Anonymous]

We go to H&M or Zara and buy fast fashion, whatever is the trendiest thing at the time. We like looking like a time capsule years later. It's amazing how fast things change even after a few years. It's really fun to look back.

[Anonymous]

Photographer here - where are you taking your photos? You want to look natural in the environment. Also, don’t go for too matchy-matchy. Wear clothes that fit well, will be appropriate for the season (so you’re not sweating or freezing) and that you feel good in. Layers can be good, but also bulky. And no scarves. It can cut you in weird places.

[Anonymous]

Ask your photographer!

[Anonymous]

Old Navy for the kids. Not the best quality but you can shop in person with a large selection and put the colors next to each other. And you want your kids COMFORTABLE trust me. You don’t want tight seems or pants or whatever.

Me: jeans, white shirt, deep purple cardigan and neutral scarf

Dad: jeans, white and blue squares button down, navy cardigan

Kid 1: maroon chino, cream pullover

Kid 2: light jeans, gray and navy button up vest, white shirt

[Anonymous]

I always start with myself! Mom is the hardest to dress and if you can find something you are happy with you can work around that. Pinterest is your friend!

[Anonymous]

just get on pinterest. Choose three colors that work together. Only one person wears a print in a group of three and no more than 2 prints for larger groups.
we just did photos, I wore a green top, cream pants, daughter in yellow and white striped dress, DH in khakis and I honestly don't remember the shirt--soemthign that blended in though.

[Anonymous]

My best advice is don't stress! I realized i was quite stressed out this week trying to squeeze in finding outfits for our family pictures and then i realized I WAS STRESSING OUT ABOUT PICTURES. If you end up in not the pinterest perfect outfits, it doesn't actually matter. Try for it sure, but its definitely not worth actual stress over

[Anonymous]

We wore black, white, or denim and it looked so nice!

[Anonymous]

We always pick two colors and an accent color - I will say that Navy blue and white are often the two basics and then we'll do a teal or a coral or something - not everyone wears it - but I usually do a scarf with it and my kids might have swathers with it -