How to make your photos pinterest worthy
A few foolproof ways to style your session.
A date has been picked, calendar marked and schedules cleared. Once a family has booked a photo session, a photographer can almost always guess the immediate question that will land in our inbox next. “What should we wear?!”
Here, you’ll find a few easy-to-follow tips and tricks to looking coordinated (but not like a family of robots) in your photos as well as a few other choices you can make to ensure your pictures look and feel as aesthetically pleasing as you want.
Matching vs coordinating
The days of perfectly matching dark wash denim and crisp white button up shirts are done. (Unless in a hilariously ironic Sears-style shoot, of course.) Rather than suit everyone up in one outfit in various sizes, plan on coordinating outfits by focusing on a cohesive colour palette. Decide on three to five complementary tones and have varying combinations on each family member. A few favourites to keep in mind are: Olive green and moss green paired with camel, cream, or beige. Chocolate brown and mocha paired with cream, taupe, or soft grey. Forest green with deep ochre, rust, or subtle oxblood for a stunning pop of colour.
Start with your outfit
Moms often get the short stick when it comes to being in photos as a whole. Either we’re the ones behind the camera and never get included in a lovely picture to begin with, or a picture with a small child becomes such a rushed affair that all of our worst angles are somehow captured all at once. Take the opportunity of a family photo session to put yourself first and pick your own outfit before anyone else’s. Something you love and that you feel beautiful in and build out from there. It will inform your colour palette and the overall style of the shoot.
Patterns, textures, and graphics oh my!
When you start to involve patterns, adopt the thinking that less is more and limit it to one person with a pattern. Patterns to avoid in pictures are high-contrast stripes, tight houndstooth, small checks, and distracting geometric shapes, but feel free to indulge in florals and gingham for a touch of whimsy. If your outfit is the one with the pattern, you can pull colours from the palette to inject into other family members’ outfits.
A bit of depth can be easily added to photos by incorporating textures into the clothing as well. Think knit or waffle fabrics, linen, corduroy or lace. As with the patterns, don’t go overboard and dress everyone in matching corduroy looks. Subtle touches are the way to go.
And graphics? Steer clear. Anything with a logo or words will immediately feel dated and altogether too casual.
Hot Tip: Lay out everyone’s outfit side by side – include shoes and any accessories – to give yourself a bird’s eye view of how they work together, if anything clashes or stands out in a way that will make your eye twitch once the photos are developed. Use the days before the photoshoot to play around with who wears what to land on the perfect combination for your family.
Is it casual or comfortable?
Too often, casual and comfortable are grouped together when talking about clothing. Casual is an informal style that will look out of place in a booked session. Worn-in t-shirts and crocs? Please leave them in the closet. Whereas comfortable clothing prioritizes, well, comfort! Which is exactly what you want when kids are involved. Comfort should be key. Once your outfits are chosen, have everyone try them on to ensure unrestricted movement is possible and nothing is stiff or feels awkward.
Location, location, location
Okay, you’ve got the ‘fit, family members have cohesive looks and your blow out is booked. But where will the shoot happen? Choosing where to go (or stay) can feel like a monumental decision. The best tip is to prioritize places with personal meaning — a favourite park, cozy home, or popular neighbourhood venue — while also not feeling stuck on finding the “perfect” location. Some of the best decisions have been in spots that you’d never think might work. Take for example, a home that is still being constructed. What amazing memories to have once the work is done and your family is all moved in, that at one time this family home you’ve nested in was once beams and unfinished flooring. Outdoor locations are also always a great choice that offer natural lighting, such as spots with open shade or, for best results, plan for a shoot just before sunset.
In the end
Outfits might not always be pressed, perfect and stain-free. Locations will not always be perfectly lit or clear of rain clouds. Being able to laugh off what you can’t control and enjoy the energy of your family – from the focus of the camera instead of behind it for a change – is what will produce meaningful photographs and a beautiful time capsule of your lives in this moment that you chose to capture.
