8 Tips for Styling Your Family Session
You have booked your family session and set a location. You are psyched to finally capture some awesome photographs of your family (which you've put off way too long!).
Suddenly, a wave of panic...what on earth are you going to wear?
There's no way around it. When it comes to family photographs, clothes matter. A LOT. Not only do their colors and tones contribute to the look and feel of an image, but their styles play a role in sharing your family's personalities and in conveying your story.
So what is the best way to go about selecting your wardrobe? I reached out to Bridget Stickline, clothing lover, styling expert and owner of Baltimore's fabulous children's boutique, Wee Chic, for some helpful tips to ease the process of selecting the perfect clothing for your family's photo session.
1. Visualize your session and do some research. Stickline first suggests visualizing your session. Consider the look you want for your photographs. Is it playful and energetic or soft and gentle? Once you know this, give some thought to how your clothing might work with the colors of your selected location to contribute to this feeling. Both colors and fabrics can communicate mood. A soft pink flowing dress set among glowing fall foliage creates an entirely different feel than jeans and a bold red sweater. "Pinterest and polyvore are fantastic for this part of the process and are a great resource for ideas."
The three photographs below each depict a young girl running in a similar autumn location. How does the color of their clothing affect your overall sense of the image?
2. Pick a starting point. Once you are armed with some direction, Stickline next suggests picking a starting point. Often, its mom's dress or outfit, but it could be any favorite piece that you know you want to try to include.
Baby's dress leaves no room for doubt that she is the focal point of the image and this family's center of attention.
3. Consider coordinating but not matching. While there is something to be said for the "classic" family photo, where everyone is posed and wearing the same outfit (think white shirt and jeans on the beach}, Stickline suggests that coordinating outfits that don't perfectly match can create a more meaningful photograph.
By selecting a color scheme, you can achieve a cohesive look while still allowing individual personalities to shine through. And isn't this the essence of family--where everyone belongs together, but brings their own personality to the party? Adding variability to the shades, tones, patterns, and/or textures of your clothing helps maintain a feeling of connectedness among the individuals while highlighting individuality. Plus, your kids are much more likely to cooperate and be comfortable in clothes they like.
4. Consider your colors. "Make it easy on yourself and use colors that look great on everyone," Stickline suggests. " Blues, periwinkles, blush pink and eggplant generally work with all skin tones. If there is any variability in complexion or coloring within your crew, sticking with these colors and everyone will look great. Also, Strickline suggests we don't worry to much about colors matching exactly and points out that, "close is often good enough for photographs." In fact, varying tones slightly can help achieve a greater sense of depth in your photographs.
5. Be cautious with patterns. In family photographs, the people are the subjects, not their clothing. Patterns are great, but bold patterns can overpower a photograph and draw attention from the beautiful faces. Since mixed patterns have the potential to clutter the image, Stickline suggests selecting patterns carefully. "Play with lighter plaids and pinstripes and make sure bold prints and patterns do not compete. When shopping, consider collections, such as the popular Tea collection, whose colors and patterns are designed to mix and match."
The bold pattern in mom's dress looks lovely, and her husband and son's clothing do not complete with the attention it deserves.
And just to show rules were made to be broken:
Complimentary oxfords in bold colors bring both energy and cohesion to this portrait of a brother and sister.
6. Use layers, textures, and accessories. Using accessories and layers is a great way to add style while staying within a color scheme. Scarves, vests, hats, jewelry, hair accessories, and even ties and shoes can be used to add cohesion, detail, style, variability, and comfort to your session. The right scarf can give add just the right pop of color. A jacket or vest can create separate looks...one with the jacket on, one off. Jewelry and hair accessories add personality without distracting attention away from faces. All of this is especially true for quieter, monochromatic palettes where texture can be used to add visual interest in the absence of bright colors or prints.
A jacket and hat help showcase this young girl's fun personality and individual style.
7. Think ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to decide upon your wardrobe. Items may need to be cleaned or altered, and allow time to purchase any new pieces. Stickline also reminds us that if you plan to shop for any pieces, keep in mind that stores showcase seasons six months in advance. Spring and summer items tend to hit stores in February and fall and winter items appear mid-summer. Depending on the season, waiting until the last minute to shop may limit your options.
8. Enlist the help of a professional. When in doubt, consult a professional. Local boutiques are there to help. When working with clients, Stickline loves it when clients bring with them any clothes they have already decided upon along with inspiration photos. She also suggests leaving the kids at home, at least on your first shopping trip.
Enlisting the help of a professional, even if you aim to work within the wardrobe you already own and don't plan to purchase more than a piece or two, can take your styling to the next level with a polish that will shine through in your photographs.
Many thanks to Bridget Stickline of Wee Chic for her helpful tips! If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit the shop, it's a fantastic mom-owned boutique specializing in clothing for girls ages newborn to 16 and boys newborn to 8. Wee Chic focuses on selling quality, modern yet age-appropriate clothing and providing the personalized shopping experience of a high end store with realistic price points.
