People are always telling me how intimidating portraits or family photos are for various reasons. As someone who gets family photos ever year, as well as planning portrait sessions for my kids, I fully understand! So below I am sharing some tips for making the most out of your session, as well as ways to help make preparing for your photo session just that much easier!
WHAT TO WEAR
The number one issue I hear families discuss is what to wear. Especially for family photos when you’re trying to dress multiple people. People have different styles and color preferences, but there are some basic rules you can follow to quickly find your outfits.
Don’t Match, Coordinate
This is big. You DON’T want to match, but you DO want to coordinate. It gives the images a more cohesive look.
If you really want everyone to wear the same one or two colors, then who am I to stop you?! These are your photos, and if that’s the look you are going for, then by all means, dress everyone in navy and white, or whatever ever color you desire. Again, these are YOUR photos that you will share with others and hang on your walls (at least I sure hope so!).
That being said, it’s still better to coordinate colors and patterns than to make everyone wear the same thing. It helps add depth to the images, character and personality to your family, and makes you less of a giant blob of blue, yellow, or whatever color you wear.
Solids are Best
That’s pretty straight forward. Solids are considered best because they draw less attention away from the face (the true focus), and are often easier to coordinate.
BUT! If you like patterns, go for it! You just don’t want multiple patterns fighting for attention in the photos. Choose one or two people to wear a pattern, or a few accessories that have patterns, to break up the solid colors. If you get TOO heavy on patterns, it can create images that are difficult for the eye to view because they don’t know where to look first. Try mixing up your patterns as well. If one person is wearing small checks, try someone else in large floral, or vice versa.
Add Some Texture
Another way to change things up without adding patterns, is to add texture. Try putting people in different fabrics that create texture in the images. Different ways to switch up texture include: a denim jacket, a wool scarf, a woven hat, a vest, a lace shawl.
Choose Colors Wisely
Most people know that darker colors can slenderize and minimize. Colors like brown, black, navy, burgundy, dark green, and charcoal are always great options. Especially as base colors to work off of and coordinate with patterns and texture.
Bright colors can still be worn, but it’s best to minimize them, or have them as accent colors. Bright reds tend to cast redness onto skin, and can easily blow out in a photo. (Think giant red blob). Again, try a burgundy, a deep golden yellow, or burnt orange if warm tones are your thing.
Another safe option would be muted, or light colors. Like pale blue, or salmon. Soft colors that go well with each other or coordinating with deeper colors as well.
Dress Mama First
Another great starting point in my mind is dressing mama first. Often times it is Mom that’s planning out the outfits. So take the opportunity to find a current or new outfit that you LOVE on yourself. Make sure it’s comfortable and flattering you your own style. Once you find something you feel great in, you simply find outfits for everyone else that coordinate with your own!
Home Decor
Take a look at your home. What colors do you use for decorating? You want images that you’ll love and want to hang on those walls. That means you will want images that flow with your decorating style. If your style is neutrals and muted colors, then maybe brightly colored outfits on a giant canvas will look off to you, or maybe you’ll love that pop of color. The same goes for the opposite, if you love decorating with bright colors, a muted family photo wardrobe may look odd to you on your walls. Take a moment to look around and find the feel you love from your own home.
Less Skin is Better
If weather permits, half sleeves or long sleeves work best. As well as long pants or longer dresses. Skin from your arms and legs can draw the eye away from the face, which again, should be the focal point of portraits.
Another aspect to consider is posing. Think about how certain outfits will or won’t allow you to move around, stand, lean, sit, etc. Some outfits can make certain poses difficult or uncomfortable. Be prepared for any limitations that your chosen outfit may create.
CHOOSING ACCESSORIES
Hair
Don’t try something new with your hair right before a shoot. You want to look like yourself in your photos. Style your hair and use hair spray to keep it in place if needed (men too).
Think about what the weather and location will do to your hair. If you know an updo will work better for you, go for it. You know your hair best.
Makeup
Wear your normal daywear makeup or slightly heavier. Add a little color to your cheeks and lips for pop. Bring your lip wear for touch ups as needed.
Glasses
Glasses glare can definitely ruin a great photo. Many things within an environment can lead to reflections in the lens that hide your eyes. Most photographers know how to minimize the glare, or work with it. A simple trick of having the person tilt their head down slightly, often fixes the problem. So don’t worry if your photographer tells you to tilt this was or that, they are just helping capture everyone at their best.
A couple other options would be removing the lenses from the glasses for the shoot or removing the glasses completely if you desire. But again, often the photographer can minimize with a slight tilt of the head or placement of the person.
Bottom line: sometimes it’s unavoidable.
Props
For a personal touch, bring a prop or two that means something to you. Think about instruments, hobby gear, a favorite article of clothing, or favored toy. Just select one or two for a touch of personal flair. If you’re concerned about it getting dirty or broken though, better to leave it at home.
This tip works great for kids that might not be 100% interested in sitting for photos. I’ll explain more below in the “Young Kids” section.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Young Kids
Kids are so fun. We love to capture them, but we also know that realistically, they aren’t usually the best at sitting still and smiling. And that’s okay! Come into the shoot knowing that they may run wild, but great shots can still be captured. You’re photographer will run with it and do their best to capture your precious kids, energy and all. I love trying to find fun ways to get uninterested kids to join in on the fun. Oftentimes those are my favorite images.
So come to the shoot with realistic expectations. You may not get perfectly lined up shots with everyone dreamily smiling at the camera, but you WILL get because displays of your family’s love for one another and the connections you’ve created.
Bad Weather
Despite being able to predict the weather, we don’t always have the best record with predicting the weather. Weather is unavoidable in most cases. I always keep an eye on the weather as shoots approach. If the weather is simply a deal breaker, we can always reschedule to another day when the sun decides to come out.
If that’s the ONLY day that works, then we may need to get creative. There are some indoor options, such as someone’s home, a public place like churches or libraries, or even venues like Union Station*, for indoor options.
If it’s simply wet outside, we can always find a location that allows for photos without getting too muddy. Oftentimes photos after a rain are beautiful because the colors of the surroundings are very saturated and pretty.
*Union Station requires all photographers fill out a form and pay a fee for sessions taken within the building.
Uninterested Participants
Many of us have a family member, or two, who does NOT like photos. Thats perfectly fine. It can be kind of awkward being the center of attention for some people. Try not to be too hard on them. Just ask them to do their best for the duration of the session. Also, feel free to let the photographer know that this person is not excited. That allows them to give the person a bit of time to warm up, or to find some creative, fun ways to get them to warm up.
Mainly, just try to relax, have fun.
Being Camera Shy
So what if the person who doesn’t like photos is YOU? Well, same thing. Just commit to going with the flow for the duration of the session. Feel free to let the photographer know of your discomfort, and maybe even WHY you are specifically uncomfortable. We do our best to show everyone’s best side and their fun character! More information for me only allows me to better capture you in images you’ll adore. Even if you hate being in front of the camera.
Also, don’t think about the session as being for yourself. Think of it as being for your loved ones. They love and adore you. They want images to look at and smile about. Do this for them! If you’re a mama and don’t like being in front of the camera, I hear you, but do it anyway. Do it for sweet memories WITH and FOR your kids. They want you in the photos of their childhood too!
LOCATION MATTERS
Urban or Nature
Are you more interested in greens, fields, flowers, and woods? Do you love being outdoors, and have a favorite location? If you love being outside and the idea of nature all around you, choose a nature setting like a park.
Do you hate grass, bugs, have horrible allergies, or simply love the clean lines and look of buildings and structures? Then choose an urban setting like a shopping center, library, a fun parking lot, or bridge.
It boils down to what you will be most comfortable with while posing, and what types of images you want on your walls.
Inside or Outside
This one can be tough. Honestly, I LOVE outdoor images with natural light. It also makes exposure less tricky. But there are also times of day that you don’t want to be outside for rain, heat, or blinding sunlight. There are also health and comfort level reasons as well. If someone hates being in grass and fields, then maybe being indoors is best. If you have severe outdoor allergies or a condition that makes being in the sun a lot not a good option, try something indoors.
Need an indoor location? Try your church, your house, a neighborhood clubhouse, or maybe even a friend’s barn. You may be more limited, but you may also get some really fun photos you hadn’t even imagined.
Time of Day
This one mainly pertains to outdoor sessions. Though if you are going to do an indoor session, you will want to do it during brighter parts of the day if you are utilizing any natural light from windows.
As for outdoor sessions, there are definitely more sought after times of day. Mainly the first 1-2 hours after the sunrise and 1-2 hours before the sunset. These are the “golden” hours of light. In between those two time frames, you can still plan a session, but you will simply be at the mercy of the sun. You will have to pose so the sun doesn’t cause squinting or wash out on your skin, and also watch for patches of sun coming through leaves and buildings causing spotlights you may not want present.
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