The Ultimate Guide: 4 Steps for Planning Family Pictures, Including What to Wear, Where to Shop, and Tricks to Make Your Session Go Smoothly

You've booked your family session date and cleared your calendar to make sure everyone can make it to the session on time. Now comes the hard part.....what does everyone wear for family pictures in Wyoming?

I've been breaking out what to wear tips into season-specific guides, but this is the time of year I feel like I need a general guide that applies to all seasons. I'm doing more and more in-home photo sessions and indoor sessions during the winter, and this guide will apply to those as well. Here's a step-by-step guide to putting together outfits for your family photos, along with some tips and tricks to make your family session go as smoothly as possible. You'll find what to wear for family photos in the fall, spring, summer or winter in Wyoming or Northern Colorado.

Step 1: Pick a Color Palette of 2-3 Colors and Build Outfits From There

Choose a color palette of 2 or 3 colors and vary textures, patterns, tones and layers within that palette.

• Do NOT put everyone in the same color or in matching tops or in matching bottoms.
  • This creates a visual line in your photos that is distracting. This is also a very outdated trend that needs to stay in 1992.
• Each color has several tones or shades. In addition to varying textures and patterns, you can also vary shades within a specific color, like various shades of blue.
• Another tip is to start with one outfit, like Mom's, and use it to build your palette.
  • I sometimes call this the "wildcard" outfit. If Mom's outfit has a pattern or several colors, build your palette from that outfit.

In the photo below, the base outfit for the color palette was the little girl's on the left:

How to Choose a Color Palette

Avoid Neons and Pastels and Opt for Muted or Dark Colors

In general, muted and darker colors work best in photos. Neon colors can cast color onto skin in photos, and really light colors tend to wash people out. Muted, soft hues, like soft pinks, browns, tan and ivory can serve as lighter neutrals without washing skin tones out.

Wear Colors that Enhance Your Skin Tones

I've gone into a deep dive about choosing colors for your skin tones and how to put palettes together in another post. You can find that info here. Overall, wear colors that you would normally wear. If you look in your closet, I'm guessing you have some outfit staples that fall into a few different colors that you know you look good in.

When you plan outfits for family photos, don't choose a color to wear that you would never wear in your normal day-to-day. Chances are it will not complement your skin tone and you won't love how you look in your photos.

Instead, choose colors that each family member looks good in. You can mix cool and warm tones by adding in neutrals and by choosing colors that are complementary across the color wheel. For example, if your family consists of some members have warm skin tones and some who have cool tones, you could choose a palette of a warm brown plus sage and neutrals. I find that pinks, blues and tans also tend to bridge the warm/cool gaps easily. You can always pick different shades or tones within a specific color to make them work for different skin tones as well.

Consider Your Home Decor

I hope you will someday print your photos and display them in your home. When you're choosing outfits for family pictures, think about how the photos will look hanging on the walls in your house. You don't need to match the house completely, but you do want your photos to complement the overall color tones and schemes in your home interior spaces.

For example, if your house is decorated in muted tones, neutrals and soft hues, you might not want to wear darker, punchy colors or black and whites. Instead, opt for soft hues and warm neutrals. However, if your house is super modern with bold colors and high contrast color blocking, dark and higher contrast will probably look better in photos hanging on your walls.

If you're having family photos taken inside your home, it might be even more important to coordinate with the color schemes in your home decor. Here are a few examples of families who did that well....

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Complement the Season

Wear colors that fit the season. Getting family photos taken in the fall? Opt for warmer, richer color tones that complement the vibrant, warm hues of fall. Warm neutrals, like chestnut, brown and ivory work well to complement the warm and earthy tones of fall. For winter photos, when natural surroundings are white or brown, opt for one vibrant pop of color and build outfits around that. For summer and spring, it's always safe to go with softer hues and neutrals to offset the greens and vibrant colors of these seasons.

Fall Color Ideas

Fall is a good time to layer up with different textured sweaters and vests. Aim for warm colors and deeper earth tones.

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Summer and Spring Color Ideas

For summer and spring family photos, I suggest wearing soft blues, pinks, soft yellows and cooler greens. As the trees bloom and the lush greens come out for the summer, these tones are always safe bets. Neutrals also complement this season well, like tan, ivory or gray. I go into more detail specifically about what to wear for spring family photos here.

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Winter Color Ideas

Winter is tricky for family photos, but being practical about the cold weather will generally steer you in the right direction. Choose layered, warm clothing to wear for winter family photos. Think about textured sweaters, dressier coats, fur-lined vests. Because the surroundings are so void of color (white snow or tan/brown grass), I suggest finding one or two pops of color. You can also be a bit more liberal with large plaid prints, and it's easily found around the holiday season.

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Step 2: Be Practical! Dress for the Weather and Terrain

Please dress for the weather and be practical!

• Shoes
  • We WILL walk around. Choose shoes that are comfortable to walk in, especially for mountain sessions.
  • For kids, you might think about close-toed shoes for mountain sessions. We run into a lot of rocky terrain and, sometimes, cactus.
  • Avoid stilettos or tall heels. Wear wedges if you really need a heel, but be sure you can walk in them on some hilly, rocky terrain.
  • Think about fun tennis shoes as a different option. Chucks, Toms, Hey Dudes or Vans work especially well for sessions.
  • Cowboy boots are fun for mountain sessions if they are broken in and comfortable.
  • Skip shoes for tiny babies who aren't yet walking - they don't stay on and we waste precious time picking them up and putting them back on during your session. If it's warm enough, opt for bare feet for babies - their toes are adorable and we won't waste time picking up socks they will inevitably kick off.
• Choose Comfort, Always!
  • Nothing ruins a session faster than a kiddo who is miserable. Opt for comfortable clothing they can run, jump and play in.
  • Choose clothing that's washable, because we might get it dirty. My sessions are active and fun.
  • Avoid itchy fabrics for kids. Avoid dresses with tulle underskirts for little girls. Opt for a cotton dress that twirls.
  • Dress for the weather! I cannot stress this enough. If a child is too cold or too hot during a session, there's not a whole lot I can do to make them happy. In winter, bring coats that you're ok with being photographed.

Step 3: Choose Classic Clothing That Fits Well

• Make sure clothing and shoes fit well so that kids aren't tugging on things or adults aren't fixing things constantly during the session.
• Avoid baggy clothing.
  • Baggy clothing makes you look larger in photos.
  • Opt for tailored or fitted clothes.
  • Longer, fitted tops or full-length dresses look best on women
• Avoid shiny fabrics and avoid velvet.
  • Shiny fabrics, like shiny rayon and polyester, velvet and velour show every single wrinkle and roll. They also draw the eye to those places because they catch light. Opt for matte fabrics instead.
  • Go for cotton for kids - it's comfortable and not itchy.
• Avoid tight patterns or pinstripes.
  • Tight patterns create a moire effect that makes your photos have wavy lines when viewed on a screen.
• Dress length for adult women is important.
  • Our Wyoming wind makes shorter skirts difficult. Opt for at least knee length.
  • Full-length dresses (all the way to the ground) are most flattering for photos. Look for maxi or wrap dresses.
• Absolutely no logos.
  • Tiny pocket logos are fine and won't show up.

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Quick Tip: Consider Your Location When Determining Style of Clothing

Consider the look and feel of your session location when deciding the style and cut of clothing.

• For natural settings, like parks and mountain settings, I love long, full-length dresses for women. They are super flattering and look beautiful in the mountains and sunlight.
• For downtown settings, consider opting for edgier attire, like jeans, colorful tops and wedges.

Step 4: Prepare Your Attitudes (& Bellies)

Nothing will determine the success or failure of your family photo session more than your attitude. Parents, I'm talking to you. You set the tone for your photo session.

First and Foremost, RELAX!

Your family photo session is not a time to showcase how perfectly behaved your family is. It is not a test you are taking on posing and smiling perfection. It is a time for you to BE YOURSELVES.

We will play games, we might dance, laugh together, and we will definitely spend a ton of time MOVING. I want to capture you having fun together, and nothing kills the fun faster than someone shouting at their child, "Johnny, SMILE!! Johnny, LISTEN to the photographer!!" Instead, let me do the directing and you just focus on genuinely interacting and responding to your child.

Be Careful With Promises

Please don't bribe your child with the promise of ice cream if they "take a few nice photos". They will likely show up, smile for two photos and then wonder where the ice cream is. Instead, tell them we are going for a walk, having fun together and exploring while we take photos. It's the truth and it doesn't make the process of the photo session feel like something they have to 'endure.' A fun treat after your session is awesome, but please don't make the treat the focus of the session.

Make Sure Kids (& Adults) Are Not 'Hangry'

Please make sure kids (and adults!) aren't starving by the time they arrive to a photo session. Feed them before you leave, even if it's a snack in the car. For small kids, bring a non-messy snack with you, just in case (think Cheerios rather than anything sticky, like fruit snacks or treats).

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

Plan Ahead to Keep Your Session Stress-Free

Please plan to arrive on time. Nothing makes you more stressed than feeling like you're missing part of your photo session. While I put a sizable buffer in between sessions, there's a strong possibility I will have another session after yours, and I want you to have as much time as possible for your session.

What to Bring

For small babies, you might bring a non-messy snack, like Cheerios. You might also consider a small blanket that matches your color scheme for any photos you want of baby alone. Feel free to also bring small toys or stuffed animals you're ok with being photographed. Don't forget a water bottle for the car ride, especially in hot summer months!

Where to Shop

Make It Yours

As always, please know these are general guidelines, not hard and fast rules. More than anything, I want you to look and feel like you, so please be true to yourselves when deciding what to wear for your session. Many clients find all of their outfits in their existing closets, so don't feel like you have to shop!

Click here to go back to the top of the page.

See More Examples on Pinterest

If you want to peruse a Pinterest Boards, I've put together a few to help with ideas for outfits:

Spring Family Photo Outfit Ideas

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas

Winter Family Photo Outfit Ideas

Family What to Wear Ideas

Extended Family Outfit Ideas

Layered Looks for Women

Reach Out if You Need Help!

Let me know if I can help in any way! If you're a current client, I also have a Style and Select service that I will send to you prior to your session. You are able to put outfits together and purchase them from various popular stores, all through my Style and Select website.

If you still haven't booked your family session, get on the calendar early. Dates are going quickly this year! You can find that link here.

Click here to go back to the top of the page.