Macaela Lea PHOTOGRAPHY


What to wear for a Family Photoshoot


Choosing the right outfits for a family photoshoot can be a fun & creative process, for some it can also be a stressful time as you're unsure on what will look nice together. I'm here to help!

One of my most asked questions when clients book their sessions, "What do we wear?" Outfits have a big impact on the feel and outcome of your photos. Colour, fabrics and style all play a role in the end result of your images. You don't want to get it wrong. So, I'm here to offer my best tips for choosing clothes for your session.


In this guide I will offer guidance starting with some general, basic advice, then getting more specific as I go.

The key is to select clothing that complements each other, reflects on your family's style & is comfortable for everyone (especially the kids).

When choosing what to wear be mindful of your photoshoot location & the season at the time of the session, aim for coordinating colours rather than matching outfits.

My Top 3 Tips


  1. Avoid large labels, logos & designs on shirts & tops. You want the focus of your photos to be you & your loved ones, not the writing on your clothes.
  2. Be cautious of black & navy. Too much of these dark colours can give the photos a heavy feel & even obscure details, making it difficult to distinguish between individual people.
  3. Aim for outfits that are coordinated but not matching. You are looking for colours & clothes that look nice together, but not so similar that you look like you are wearing a uniform. (I will discuss this further on.)




Consider the location, season & style of your session.


Different types of photoshoots require different outfit choices, both for practical & aesthetic reasons. Think about if you were having an in home cosy winter shoot, your outfit choices would be along the lines of barefoot in casual clothing, maybe a cozy knit or even a warm blanket around shoulders in front of a fireplace, to create a more relaxing & intimate feel to your photos. But if you were having a summer outdoor bushland photoshoot, you would be wanting shoes on, with some light and airy clothing that doesn't show sweat marks. Beach photoshoots often lead to softer colours, again barefoot with the most likely outcome of getting a little sandy & wet.


Your outfits should be comfortable

Choose clothing that is comfortable, especially for children. Consider having children wear their outfits ahead of time for a test run, as feeling uncomfortable can lead to unhappy and uncooperative kids. Remember to plan for the weather too, as the perfect outfits aren't perfect if your all freezing or roasting.

Ensure clothes allow for ease of movement for everyone, picking up kids, sitting, snuggling, maybe even laying on the ground. you don't want to be having to constantly be tugging at clothes to readjust them; in fact during your session you want to be wearing clothes that don't require and more thinking about.


Choose your outfit first

I suggest you start by choosing your own outfit - something your comfortable wearing. it doesn't need to be new, as wearing an outfit you already know you love can help you fell more confident in front of the camera. Once you've chosen your outfit, use it to create a colour palette for selecting everyone else's outfits.

Colours for Outfits

When selecting colours, consider tones that compliment the location & season. For outdoor sessions, earthy tones like greens & browns work well. You can add in some some soft blues and pinks as well especially for beach sessions as those colours compliment the location well.

  • Neutral Tones: Cream, beige & greys are versatile & timeless.
  • Complementary Colours: Choose two or three primary colours that compliment each other - like Navy & Mustard, or Blush & Grey.
  • Avoid  Neon: Bright, neon colours can be distracting & tend to clash in photos.

Examples of matching Neutrals with Complementary Colours

Patterns


One of my favourite methods for creating a colour palette is starting with a pattern. If it’s from an item of clothing you would like to wear, great. Pick out the colours in pattern, not forgetting the background colour, and use them as the basis of your outfits. For a coordinated look, you want to make sure at least some of the colours are repeated across more than one person.



Small Details to Consider


  • Empty your pockets. Bulging pockets aren’t the best look so I suggest you leave all but the essentials in the car. And I’m happy to carry the keys for you.
  • Check your wrists. Are there any stray hair ties or a chunky watch that doesn’t fit the aesthetic? 
  • Photo-ready fingers. Hands and touch feature often in my images, especially for those close up images with little ones, so neat and tidy nails are ideal.


Hope this helps! But my best advice: when your photo session comes around, forget about all this, relax, and have fun with your family. If everyone feels comfortable and like themselves, your natural warmth and connection will shine in your photos.