What to Wear Inspiration
When coordinating outfits for your upcoming portrait session, it’s ideal if everyone’s outfits are complimentary rather than over the top “matchy-matchy.” The most common misconception is that everyone should be wearing a similar outfit (ie. white top, denim bottoms). I would encourage you to avoid this!! In addition - as a mom myself, I took much pleasure in purchasing “matching” outfits for my girls when they were younger, as they were fairly close in age. It can be cute and sweet. If you have twins, or two children close in age - I would say that a matching outfit might work. BUT - if you have more than 2 kids, I would put everyone in their own unique outfit, using complimentary colours or tones.
When planning your portrait session wardrobe, I often recommend starting with one outfit first (usually Mom’s, if it’s a family portrait session). Make sure the outfit reflects your own personal style and that it’s something that you feel comfortable in - and then build off of that selection using similar and complementary tones.
I recommend avoiding multiple prints/patterns amongst family members; if you do have a patterned piece, use the colours within that to outfit everyone else. Put everyone else in solids or a non-competing pattern (ie. subtle stripes), and perhaps choose to include pieces that have some texture for some added visual interest. You can also layer pieces and add some accessories such as jewelry, scarf or a belt. Neutrals, and softer tones always photograph well, and I love lighter shades for spring & summer!
When outfitting a toddler or baby, in my opinion - less is always more! Onesies, rompers, overalls, or a two piece bloomer sets are simple and oh-so-cute! Babies can seem lost in too many layers, or in clothing that is too big.
So you’ve picked out your tops, bottoms, and accessories … don’t forget about the shoes! Often times this detail can be overlooked by clients. Communicate with your photographer prior to your session to find out what type of location you’ll be shooting at. If your portrait session is at the beach, feel free to skip the shoes altogether. If your session is taking place in a field full of long grass, then your shoes may be out of sight for the majority of your session and maybe it won’t be a big deal if they don’t coordinate with your outfits. But, if there’s any chance of capturing full body shots of your family, you’ll want to make sure that your shoes fit the vibe of the outfits you’ve pulled together.
Check out Zara, H&M, The Gap, Old Navy, Free People and Aritzia - these are some of my favourite places to find some outfit inspiration! I had some fun putting together these inspo boards using a colour palette that would work great at almost any outdoor location, such as the beach, a sunlit field, or even a more simple urban setting.
