What to wear

Congrats on booking your family photoshoot and creating memories you will enjoy for a lifetime. Here are some tips to help you choose what to wear.

COORDINATE vs. matching

Generally speaking, coordinating is better than matching. The whole family in identical outfits will blend together too much. Instead try to dress in colors and patterns that work well together. Embrace small patterns and/or textures because they add so much visual interest to photos—just make sure there are not too many bold patterns clashing. Above all, let everybody’s personality shine.

That said, rules are meant to be broken, and if matching outfits is your jam (matching little kids can be so adorable) then let’s do it!

Colors

Colors can bring such life to photos. Wear colors that you love and look good in. A good good place to start is to choose either a warm color palette or a cool palette and mix in coordinating neutrals.

If you choose to incorporate a print, pull colors from it to figure out the rest of your color scheme.

Another route is to choose a mix of textured neutrals for that timeless classic feel: whites, ivories, creams, tans, and muted colors.

A tip for choosing colors: look at your home for inspiration, since you’ll be displaying photos in your home, dress in colors that would complement your design aesthetic. Below are some color palette inspirations.

DRESS for the season and location

Dress for the weather and season. As tempting as it may be to wear that sleeveless spring dress, it may not work during the chilly late fall. Kids especially get cranky when they are too hot/cold. Dress light when it’s warm and layer in up the cold.

Dress for the place. Bare feet and casual clothes are amazing choice for a cozy at home session. A bold dress looks beautiful anytime, but it looks phenomenal against the backdrop of nature.

A note on shoes, I love a gorgeous heel, but make sure to wear footwear you can walk in. Since most of my outdoor sessions take place in parks with uneven ground, I suggest flats, boots, or a platform heel. Or feel free to bring backup comfy shoes to get from point A to point B.

Tips for dressing babies and kids

Newborns are amazing miracles, and we should let that shine. From my experience babies photograph best in simple neutral or single color outfits. Less is more with babies, so avoid graphic t-shirts or over accessorizing. A plain white or single color onesie is timeless. I love photographing baby toes, so let those toes show! Here’s a pinterest board of newborn outfits that work well: Newborn Lifestyle Baby Outfits

I love to ask toddler and little girls to twirl so please put on a diaper cover or neutral shorts under their dresses.

Kids look great when they are comfortable! Avoid itchy materials and dress them in clothes they can move around in. Chances are good that I will ask you to toss your kiddo in the air for some fun photos.

tips for maternity outfits

My best advice is to wear what makes you feel comfortable and beautiful to complement your pregnancy glow! For Maternity outfits, loose and flowy dresses photograph amazing and can provide a lot of movement in photos. Just make sure that the outfit is snug on top (fits above the bump) so we can show off the bump.

Alternatively, you can choose an outfit that is form fitting. If you go with this route, make sure to choose underwear/shapewear that will not show through. Stick on nipple covers are a great option to avoid bra straps.

Most importantly avoid matching your partner. Mama is the star of maternity photoshoot and we should let her shine. Choose mama’s outfit first and then put partner in a coordinating neutral.

 Also, here is a Pinterest board of some outfit inspirations: Maternity Outfits.  To start your dress search, Here are a few dress places I recommend: Amazon, Pink Blush, Baltic Born, Chicaboo.   These dresses will work well for those first few weeks postpartum too,

tips for moms

If you don’t know where to start, then start with Mom’s outfit. Since mom is the heart of the family, it is essential for mom to feel beautiful and comfortable. Wear clothes that minimize your insecurities and highlight your best assets. For outfit recommendations, I love the look of loose and flowy dresses. Not a dress person? That’s okay too, a cute top is all you need! Choose all other outfits and colors around Mom’s outfit.

A note just for moms. As a mom myself, I know all about post baby body insecurities—I know its hard to look at the mirror and not recognize the body you’re used to. Just remember to be kind to yourself, you grew an entire human being inside of you and that is an AMAZING miracle. I promise you that one day you will look back on your photos, and none of it will matter. All your kids will see in your photos is a mom that loved the heck out of them.

TIPS FOR DADS

Simple and classic is the way to go for dads. Dads look fantastic in a high quality t-shirt or casual collar shirt. Pick clothes that fit well and are not too tight or baggy. I love asking dads to play around with the kids (expect hugging, carrying, tickling, and swinging kids around) so wear clothes that are easy to move around in.

For dads, avoid putting cell phone and keys in front pockets. I am happy to carry small items in my camera bag during our shoot.

A tip for both parents is to have clean nails (trimmed, free of dirt, and no paint chips) because I love photographing close up of hands (especially during newborn sessions).

Lastly Be Yourself

Let your personality shine and dress like your vibe. Wear what makes you feel happy, comfortable, and showcases your personality.

Remember the most important part is not what you wear, but the memories you capture! These are YOUR photos, so wear what YOU want.