It's that that time of the year when you start thinking about booking that annual Fall photo session. This year, make it better by taking the time to plan and coordinate your entire family's wardrobe. This simple guide will save you from the confusion of picking the perfect wardrobe.With the season comes warm, golden colors....gold, brown, yellow, orange.... you will want your wardrobe to compliment all those beautiful colors. Here are some tips that will help:
GO NEUTRAL WITH A POP OF COLOR
My favorite Fall portraits tend to be when people wear mostly neutral fall tones with a bright pop of color mixed in. Colors that immediately come to mind are red, orange, brown, yellow, grey and beige. Not sure about what colors go with what? Check out Design Seeds.com
Your color choice will also depend on where and how you are being photographed. When the leaves are in full color, you won't want to compete with them, but later in the season when the trees are more bare, or in a brown field, adding more color will benefit your photo.
YOUR HOME DECOR MATTERS Believe it or not, your home decor actually matters. If you have any plans on displaying your photos in your home you need to consider the space! Make sure any colors you choose to wear will look good in your home. COORDINATE, DON'T MATCH
LAYER UP Coats, sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves...these things can not only help you be prepared for quickly changing weather but they also offer quick and easy options that can really change the look of a photo.
ADD ACCESSORIES
Scarves, hats, sunglasses, belts....accessories are for EVERYONE! As long as your accessories coordinate with your outfits, you can’t go wrong. Use accessories to tie different outfit colors and themes together. For example, a cute red scarf around your neck can coordinate nicely with the orange dress your daughter is wearing. And if you're up for some fun, bring along your dog...his red collar will match and he will complete your family portrait!
SHOES MATTER
Don't forget the shoes! They are often an afterthought but they can really make or break a portrait. Feet can be seen and they do matter. Guys, skip the running sneakers and opt for a pair of boat or dress shoes instead. Gals, knee-high boots are perfect for Fall as are a nice pair of heels or even some hip rain boots. Kids - do you love color? Converse or a pair of sparkly Sketchers are always a fun option!
SKIP THE LOGOS Sure, we all have our favorite sports teams and branded shirts. Please leave those at home for your session. Logos typically don't look good in photographs but they tend to date the photo as well. The goal of any professional portrait is to get a classic image that can withstand the test of time. Your Yankees or 49ers shirt just isn't going to cut it. Trust me on this one!
PUT IT ALL TOGETHER
I can't stress how important it is to lay out EVERYONE'S outfits together BEFORE your photo session. This will help you see exactly how everything works together and quickly identify anything that doesn't belong. If you aren't sure and you are working with a custom portrait photographer, send them a quick cell pic of everything laid out and ask for their opinion - most photographers are happy to offer advice!
This goes along with the first tip. Instead of just standing on the sidelines, engage and interact with your child. Show an interest in their hobbies and passions. Don't make getting a photograph your only goal - take the time to connect with your child and take those photos only when the opportunity presents itself. If you are actively engaged with your child they will be much more open to letting you get a genuine photo of them. Even better - get IN the photo with your child!
As children get older, they develop their own sense of style. Instead of giving them grief about it, embrace it. This is who your child is, it's how they are known by their friends...why change that just for a photograph? The idea is to capture your kid as they are - not some made-up, fairy tale version of them! Besides, I can pretty much guarantee they'll be more comfortable and willing to pose for a picture while wearing their favorite clothes.
This is where most parents fail...it is so important to treat your tween/teen like an adult. When you respect them they will be much more likely and willing to participate and smile for you. If you make them feel like the adults they're becoming it will go a long way.
This goes hand in hand with the last tip. In today's world of social media most don't think twice about posting pictures for the world to see. Sharing cute and silly pictures didn't matter to to them when they were toddlers, but now they are self-aware and conscious of how they look. If they have their own online presence, they will want to control the photos that are shared. If they know that they have the ability to veto the photos that get shared publicly they will be more likely to participate in your photo shoots!
Dress appropriately. Summer sometimes means hot and humid weather, which can lead to uncomfortable bodies. Choose breathable, lightweight fabrics that won't weigh you down. As for shoes, nice flats or loafers are a great option.
