What to Wear in Family Photos

What to Wear in Family Photos:

Family Photos are an investment in your family. They are memories that you will cherish for years to come. They capture your family at that moment in time, and you want that moment to look it’s best.

Picking out what to wear for family photos is one of the hardest parts of arranging family photos and often one of the things that hold people back from booking family photos. But picking out what to wear in family photos does not have to be stressful. Here are some tips on picking out what to wear for family photos to help your family be photographed in their best light.

Colors Coordination

I always stress with my clients that you want to go for color coordinating rather than uniformity. Everyone does not need to be in white and khaki. Primary colors work well just be sure to mix them up and add in complementary colors. Try to pick one primary color and then add in one or two complimenting colors.

Don’t be too matching

When it comes to picking colors it can be easy to go with all the same color but you don’t want it to look like everyone is in a uniform. Follow the rule of building your outfits around a coordinating color and then add in pops of your complimentary colors.

Wear what makes you Comfortable

Pick something you look good in. These photos are going to be on your walls for years, you don’t want to look back and hate what you were wearing. Ill fitting clothes not only make you feel bad but it comes through in facial expressions. When you feel great in your clothes you look great. Pick an outfit that you love and feel good in.

Add in Layers

Layers give depth and dimension to your photos. For summer think of long pendant necklaces or a cute belt. For winter think: scarves, cardigans, statement necklaces or even hats. Be flexible with your layers, no one will be smiling if they are too hot or too cold.

Fall photos outfit ideas for a family of five

Consider season

You are going to want photos that look good year round. So when you are getting those photos for holiday cards also consider if you will be hanging these pictures up year round. If so maybe go with a less “holiday themed” shoot or avoid wearing Christmas hats. My family always wants to do Santa hats but I would rather our yearly family photos not scream Christmas.

What to Avoid

There are a few things you want to avoid when it comes to family photos. Neon colors can photograph harshly or leave a cast on skin. Big lettering or words on a shirt can be distracting. Wearing lots of green for an outdoor shoot where there might be lots of green will make you not stand out in the photos.

Where to shop

There are many great stores that do a wonderful job of providing coordinating outfits for the whole family at a variety of price points. I generally recommend Gap, H + M, and Old Navy since they both have a variety of basics for the whole family. Free People, Zara and Urban Outfitters are always great for women too.

Picking out clothes for family photos doesn’t have to be stressful. You can use sites like Polyvore to build out a lookbook for your photos. Or just simply lay all your outfits together and go for the look you like best. When in doubt ask a friend to come shopping with you or to help make a judgement call on what to wear.

How to schedule vacation family photos

When is the best time during vacation to schedule family photos?

Often clients ask me when is the best time during a vacation to schedule family photos. Some want to get it done early in the week, while others think it might be best to wait till the end. But after years of taking family vacation photos I’ve come to find that there are certain days of the week that are best for family vacation photos.

As a photographer I have found that Monday or Tuesday of a week long vacation (figuring the vacation started on Saturday) or within the first 2-3 days to be the best days to schedule your family vacation photos and here is why.

By scheduling your photos within the first 2-3 days of your vacation allows everyone to get into vacation mode but not too into vacation mode. Little kids will likely still be on their schedules from home. Kids will still be in agreeable moods. Family squabbles are less likely to have started and people are less inclined to view it as a chore. No one wants photos of a cranky family. Family photos are best when everyone is fresh and relaxed.

Another reason I recommend getting photos early in your trip is because everyone will have had a chance to enjoy the sun but hopefully not get burnt. You would hate to have forever photos of your awful sunburn. Getting photos early also ensures that the photos happen so if something unforeseen comes up there is time to reschedule. We all know things happen on vacation: kids gets sick or the weather takes a turn.

Photographers prefer golden hour which is an hour before sunset. Most of my session are done then. But long summer days means later sunsets. So I always recommend that nap so 7-8pm is not too much to ask from toddlers. I also like to suggest doing photos early in the morning (if you can’t do sunset times which in the summer gets very late for little kiddos). The light is best then and it takes less time out of your day. By doing the pictures early in the morning you aren’t taking your kids away from the beach to do something they might not enjoy. But be prepared because 5-6am is the call time.

I generally tell all my clients to schedule early in their vacation so that we can expect the unexpected and have ample time to capture wonderful family vacation photos.

Sunset Beach | A sunset family beach session in Wildwood Crest, NJ

A Family Beach Session in Wildwood Crest, NJ

Meeting this adorable family for a sunset family beach session in Wildwood Crest, NJ was so much fun! The family of three were down vacationing at the Diamond Beach Resort and wanted to capture some amazing family beach photos to remember their time down at the Jersey Shore.

The iconic fishing pier is one of my favorite places in Wildwood Crest to capture families. The sunset highlights on the grasses as well as the smiles and backlit faces. This family of three from Pennsylvania were so much fun. Lots of silly smiles provided good pictures. I hope they are able to think about their vacation and smile because they have this precious images to remind them of such a wonderful family vacation.

Looking to capture your family photos to cherish forever? Click here to get more information.

the W family

brothers at the beach in north wildwood, nj

I have four boys so when I met these brothers at the beach for this adorable family session, I saw my boys in them that was not too long ago. All the spunk and feistiness of small boys who are excited and exhausted from a beach vacation. yep, all this was my life many a years ago. Asking boys to stand so close while I take pictures always results in a shove, squeeze, or tight hug. But it is so fun to see that phase and to relive this stage for just a bit. Running is a must have in any small kid session mostly for me because it allows them to get energy out. I love the genuine smiles that running and playing in the ocean in clothes at the end of the session always provides. Who doesn’t love running into the ocean with clothes on anyway?

Congress Hall | A Yearly Vacation Tradition in Cape May

A yearly vacation tradition for this family is a week at the Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ. Congress Hall has been a staple of Cape May for two centuries and is steeped in presidential history in which several presidents were previous guest including Ulysses S. Grant, and James Buchanan. President Benjamin Harrison made Congress Hall his “summer White House”. It is obvious why guests have long ventured to Victorian Cape May, and especially Congress Hall. Relaxing in a private beach tent, lounging by the pool, or sitting on the Grand Lawn in a rocking chair is sure to provide relaxation and family bonding.

Capturing family memories on the Grand Lawn are a MUST if you are staying at Congress Hall. We walked a short distance to the beach to capture some ocean landscape. This family was brimming with joy and fun. Their vacation was filled with memories, and I feel so very fortunate to be able to capture those experiences.