What could be harder than figuring out what to wear to a photo session? Figuring out what your whole FAMILY is going to wear, that’s what! We know that when you schedule a portrait session for the entire family, it falls upon every mom to make sure you all look your very best, and these pictures turn out perfectly. As the photographer, we want that too!
Coordinating the clothing of multiple people and children of all ages and shapes can be so overwhelming, so we’re here to help! There are some simple guidelines that make you one step ahead of the game at a photoshoot by way of your appearance as a whole. So stop worrying! Melissa Koehler Photography has got you covered.
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| Photo credit: Melissa Koehler Photography |
#1 | Wear Layers
A picture is flat, and two-dimensional, and by only wearing one dress, or one shirt and one pair of pants, you don’t add any depth to the photograph. By layering items, you add some interest to your physical dimensions in the finished photograph. If you love the shirt you picked out, great, but add a cardigan and a scarf and a belt. If your husband has a great pair of jeans, fabulous, but layer a sweater over his collared shirt and maybe a jacket too.
Layers aren’t only for cold weather, you can layer in the summer! A summer dress with a short sleeve shrug and a fashion scarf look fantastic on film, and doesn’t leave you sweating on the beach! Layers are key, check out any professional clothing ad, you’ll quickly notice those models are wearing five articles of that clothing, and looking great in it.
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| Photo credit: Melissa Koehler Photography |
#2 | Don’t Match, Coordinate
Don’t be the family in all red sweaters, and please don’t be the family in all of the SAME red sweater. (If we’re describing you, we are sure you are a lovely person J) You don’t want to show up in matching outfits and colors, you want to show up in colors that compliment each other. Think of a color scheme that works well together and then let people pick their own version of it, or dress your children in the various shades. This goes back to the depth issue, by layering color, like you would clothing, you add dimension to your picture.
For added splash, choose a couple of bright accent colors to toss in. A red scarf and a pink tie look amazing against a family all in beach tones. An apple green shoe on mom with an apple green hat on son looks fabulous against a family in varying shades of spring colors.
Think compliment, not match.
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| Photo credit: Melissa Koehler Photography |
#3 | Details Make A Shot
The best photographs usually have two things: professional makeup and great accessories. Yes, you can all be layered to perfection, and yes you can all be in amazingly complimentary colors, but if you don’t love your face in every picture you will not care about the rest. Also, if you can sparkle, why not?
Two things that would make every family love their photographs more is if the women had their makeup professionally done and if little details were featured in the portraits.
Makeup should be done by someone who has experience with photography shoot looks, and not someone who is making you look like a beauty pageant winner. You want to look like you, but in photography, your features can be muted by the sunlight and exposure, by adding those extra lashes and having that expertise in shadowing, you are ensuring your best look in every shot.
As for accessories, they just complete the look. A great necklace can pull together an entire ensemble, and gorgeous pair of earrings that catch the light in the lens just so is priceless. Around the San Diego area, Stella and Dot is one of Melissa’s favorite stops for accessories that photograph well.
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| Photo credit: Melissa Koehler Photography |
#4 | Lighten Up
Your family might not all adhere to these rules perfectly. Your son will insist on wearing his hair the way you hate it, your daughter will get her entire dress dirty, and your husband will show up wearing those jeans you hate, but it’s OK! Their individuality is part of what makes your picture gorgeous. You want to show your family is it really is, just a little bit more polished up. It’s ok that you hate your daughter’s shoes, she loves them, and it’s her picture too. With a great photographer, a gorgeous backdrop like California, and even 1/10 of these tips happening, you will love your pictures. Maybe just force your son to get his hair out of his eyes for one shot!
Melissa Koehler specializes in maternity, newborn, kids, families and wedding photography. Serving San Diego county and worldwide. For additional information and to view more of her work, visit www.melissakoehlerphotography.com or call (619) 855-0708.
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
Great tips!!!