5 Tips for How to Dress for Family Photos (Fall / Winter Mini Session Edition)

Remember: Simplicity is Key. 

I recently took photos of the beautiful Risha and her family and their outfits were perfect. Co-ordinated but still individual. Similar style with a hint of dressing up (not down). She chose colours that went well together but weren't identical. These outfits worked magic with the fall leaves in the background.

So often, I get the most questions about what the family should wear before the photo session. Questions like: 

• Can we all wear our favourite colour?

• Can we wear patterns?

• Do we all need to wear the same thing?

• What footwear would look good?

It can be overwhelming when you think you ALL have to match or wear the same thing! How do you dress a Mom, a husband and a toddler in the same way? Good news - you don’t have to! 

Here are 5 tips to make sure your family photos turn out beautifully.

(I am using Risha and her family to help guide and give you examples (for you visual learners!!)

How to dress for family photos. Neutrals work well outdoors.

1. Neutrals work well outdoors.

Take a look at the creams and browns that Risha and her family wore. Their outfits looked good no matter the background. Neutrals help make you stand out in the beautifully coloured background. You will look like you are part of the environment but still individual.

How to dress for family photos: Textures are great in moderation.

2. Textures are great…if used moderately.

I get lots of questions about textures in photos. Textures are great if you stick to only one or two (eg. a knit sweater & leather boots).. Anymore than that and it begins to distract from YOU, the focus of the photo. A great texture to add, especially in fall / winter photo sessions are knits (you can see here this beautiful sweater dress that Risha is wearing).

How to dress for family photos: Footwear is important!

3. Footwear is important.

Pay attention to footwear! This can often be the last thing that people think about, however, your feet are seen in MANY of your photos so you want them to compliment your outfit and the season. Keep it simple. No logoed runners, flip flops or even fancy heels as they can be difficult to walk in while outdoors. Stick to neutrals - brown or tan - and make sure you are ok to get them a bit damp as you may be walking through grass! 

How to dress for family photos: Dress in comfortable clothing

4. Dress your kids in comfortable clothing.

Often people think kids should be in their fanciest outfit, but ideally you want something that is nice but looks natural and comfortable so your kids can still run around, play and have fund while you take your photos.

How to dress for family photos. Dress up (not down)

5. Dress up (not down)

Now this can be a difficult one to balance, but in general, you want to dress your family up a little bit more than the norm without it feeling stiff or unnatural. Risha’s dress is a perfect example. She could have looked adorable in jeans and a sweater, but the sweater dress looks fantastic on her and allowed her daughter and husband to dress up a little bit, too. (her daughter in a matching cream dress with some texture in the sweater and matching dessert boots).

I love helping families coordinate their ‘look’ for their shoot but if you can’t have your own stylist or photographer, know that these tips will help your photos look professional and beautiful, no matter who is taking the picture.