WHAT DO I WEAR?
One of the most frequently asked questions when booking a session, is "What should we wear?"
That is a great question and definitely important!
Family Storytelling Sessions-Real Life
Your clothing is a representation of who you are and what you love. With our Family Storytelling Sessions -real life, you do not have to coordinate clothing and "dress up" like you would for a more formal portrait session, but wearing clothing that is 'you" is still important.
If we are having a more documentary style session at your home, for example, you should wear what you would normally wear that day. If your three year old comes out in slippers, pj bottoms and a t shirt, then we will go with that! Since this is a time where we will capture your real life, then let's let it be "real life".
Family Storytelling Session-Life Inspired style
Life Inspired Sessions still have the photo journalistic flair, but you might also see some planned activities. Does your family like to have water balloon fights outside? Do your kids like to jump on the bed or have a singing contest? These are planned activities that we will incorporate into your photographic experience and can call for a more clothing coordination effort.
Family Storytelling- Real Life
One of the very first Family Storytelling Sessions was with the Weglarz Family. Taken in their home as they went about their daily activities one Saturday afternoon captured many special moments for them. As you can see, the clothing worn fits them and who they are and adds to the story of their life. This is their REAL LIFE. This is THEM, going about their life this Saturday afternoon. No need to wear anything different!
Family Storytelling-Life Inspired
If we are planning activities for your session, you might want to coordinate clothing. Depending on the activity, you might all be wearing sweatpants and t shirts, or swimwear if we are at a pool. Or, you might want to coordinate colors and look a little more "dressed up.
Take a look at the palettes below to give you a better idea about color combinations and design.
But what about Typical Portrait Sessions?
These palettes will also give you great ideas if you are having a typical portrait session! We are here for you and will come to your home to help you choose what to wear!
As part of the planning process, wardrobe decisions are a crucial key into designing the perfect portrait session. In order to choose the best location for families, we need to know what colors and clothing they are wearing. If we are planning a spring session with pink flowers and white fences, then wearing all black would not coordinate at all! So we collaborate with our clients so they could have the best photographic experience with us.
What to Wear for a Typical Portrait Session
We have provided some tips, ideas and examples for you if you are planning a typical portrait session with your family photographer. We hope these ideas and tips will be helpful so you can have the best photographic experience for your family!
How to Dress for your Typical Family Portrait Session
Complement, don’t match, unless you are sisters.
The day of all white shirts and khaki pants are from the past when the look was a little more formal. Your colors should generally complement each other: so for example, soft colors (light blue, gray, blush) or warm colors (brown, orange, burgundy), or, if you love the bright, vivid colors like red, yellow, and bright blue-wear those!
Start with two colors.
Choose two complimentary colors that can be used for everyone. For example, jean color-for all, then blue and yellow. If you are a family of three with a three month old daughter, mom and dad can wear jeans; mom is in a yellow shirt with a blue scarf, and dad is in a blue shirt, while your daughter wears a dress with a small pattern of both yellow and blue.
In keeping with your two colors, do your best to find complimentary colors for skin tones, hair color, and what season you will be photographing in. If you are outside during spring or summer, sticking to brighter, cooler colors works well, or in the fall, choosing the rich, warm tones, or often blues and greens works very well.
Pop of Color.
Once you have your two colors, choose one additional one for just a "pop". For example, you are being photographed in the fall and chose two blue colors that compliment your family-navy blue and light blue. (you like blues!). Your pop of color could be red in the form of a scarf, hat, or jacket.
Layers work great.
Once you have chosen your colors and pop of color, choose a "layer". That could be in the form of a jean jacket, "blazer", vest, hat, scarf, or jewelry. For example, you are wearing a royal blue short sleeve shirt with jeans and a scarf for a few images, then you remove your scarf and put on a jean jacket. Voila! You have a new outfit and it did not require you changing clothing in your car.
Avoid large patterns and logos, unless you want people to know you love a certain brand.
Usually when you wear a shirt that has a logo on it, such as an athletic brand, that is the first thing people will look at. As with large patterns that are busy. If you wear a shirt or dress that has large patterns in it, then it can be distracting and overwhelm you. The main reason for having a portrait session is to showcase YOU, not a logo, brand or pattern.
But, if you are going for that look, then by all means-large patterns and logos can be worn.
Don't forget the shoes.
You are all decked out for your portrait session looking very awesome, but then your shoes look like you ran 60 miles a week in them for years. In other words, wearing appropriate shoes without logos or branding on them is key, too. If you are dressed in a beautiful dress, or suit and you show up in shoes with holes in them, it does not necessarily fit.
On the other hand, wearing converse or something unique can also compliment clothing. It just depends on what style and look you are going for.
1 Comments
May 8, 2023, 9:08:15 AM
Carol Banghart - Looking for a casual (lifestyle) family portrait session. Three adult couples, 5 children (boy 11, girl 11, girl 10, boy (8), boy (6).