The session fee is paid and you’re excited about your upcoming photo session. But then . . . the dreaded question arises: “What on earth are we going to wear?” Undoubtedly you know the basic portrait rules: that you can’t go wrong with solid colors, that you probably don’t want 40 photos of Kelcy in her Spongebob Square Pants tee shirt (maybe a few, though, since she loves it so much?), and that a huge bow on Alexis’ head might draw a bit too much attention away from her sparkling baby blues. But where to go from there? And what traditional portrait wardrobe rules are meant to be bent, if not broken entirely? And what about dressing the entire family? Worry no more–we’ve created this little guide to help you make these decisions stress free. So sit back, enjoy a little light reading, and get inspired! The result will be fresh, classic yet distinctly modern portraits that tell the story of your family.

Maternity

The simplest wardrobe choice for your maternity session is . . . comfortable yet fitted!  Moms-to-be are often amazed at the elegant images that result from creative posing and camera angles, which show the gorgeous bare belly shots everyone wants.  Try a fitted tank top and low-waist yoga pants (black looks especially sleek).  The “fitted” part for any wardrobe choice is KEY.  A few fun shots with hip tees with clever proclamations on them are always nice as well!  Be sure to keep tightly-fitted elastic waistbands and socks far, far away for a few hours before your shoot so that we avoid indentations in your skin. Wristwatches are also best left off for the session.

Newborn

For newborn sessions, two key wardrobe questions significantly affect your resulting images.  First, what will your precious bundle of joy wear?  And second, what will we wear?  That’s right, mom and dad . . . you’ll be in some of the photos as well, even if just as a “backdrop” to the star of the show.

Newborns are absolute perfection when they wear nothing at all! For variety and some fun pops of color, I also like to use any baby items from home (swaddling blankets, soft teddy bears, letters that spell out their name, etc.). These personal items give the images their own individual touch.

There are few things as striking as skin-on-skin shots of a newborn and the proud parents. Dad can be shirtless for some shots, as can Mom, or she could wear a strapless bra or tank top.  Images for this type of shot are typically closely cropped.  Also, long-sleeved black shirts for Mom and Dad provide a sophisticated, dramatic “backdrop.”

Star of the Show

Megan in her wildly-patterned pair of cargo pants and a hipster tee. Abby’s favorite pink cowboy boots with matching shirt and cowboy hat.  Trevor showing off his hunting gear. Individual shots give your child a chance to show his or her personality through fashion like no other. Without the concern of clashing or competing patterns that exists in a family shot, the possibilities are limitless!  So break out Alexis’ dazzling princess ensemble or Parker’s beloved rain boots, and let’s capture something bold, memorable, and no-holds-barred fun!

Siblings

Wardrobe choices for sibling shots, like those for family images, should be complementary but far from “a matching uniform.”  A tried and true formula for a boy/girl sibling duo includes a patterned dress or skirt for the girl, with the boy in a solid shirt pulled from that pattern.  If the little girl is wearing a solid shirt with a patterned skirt, have the boy’s top match a different color in her skirt, so that their shirts don’t match exactly.  Trust me, it works!  While many parents have the urge to put their boys or girls in the exact same outfit, mixing it up a bit–while still creating a pleasant overall combination–creates a considerably more appealing color palette and image.

Families or Couples

Flowing white shirts and khakis on the beach.  Navy polos and yet more khakis all around.  We’ve all seen those photos–heck, most of us have been in those photos.  But did you know that coordinated but not “uniform” looks for families create a much more pleasing photograph? Moreover, it is not nearly as difficult as you think it is!  The cardinal rule of family/couple dressing for portraits is simple: choose items for everyone as if you were creating one outfit.  If all of your choices were somehow on one person, would the result be pleasing, colorwise?  A handy trick for those who are hesitant to break away from the monochrome madness is to choose one patterned item (for example a print dress for your daughter) and then select the rest of the family’s clothing from colors within that pattern. Or as a couple, let your wife choose a favorite patterned shirt and then select your shirt from colors within that pattern.

Putting It All Together