Dressing Your Family for Your Fall Photo Session

When I ask moms and dads what they're most nervous about when it comes to their fall family photos, a surprising amount tell me it's figuring out what to wear.

And I get it. I'm not just your family photographer - I'm a mom who also, once a year, has to worry about what we're all going to wear for our annual family photos.

I'm totally guilty of buying way too many different dresses, shoes that don't fit my kids, and standing in front of a closet scratching my head.

So I put together this guide to help you this fall when it comes to dressing your family, because I promise, it doesn't have to be that hard.

Step One: Dress yourself first (assuming you're mom). Sorry to make this sweeping assumption, but the vast majority of the clients in my inbox worrying about wardrobe are moms. We are always the most critical of how we look in the photos, and usually have the hardest time figuring out what to wear. A lot of moms feel their best in a maxi dress - but before you start scrolling Free People's website, check in with yourself to make sure that feels on brand for you. If you never wear a dress otherwise (save for weddings and black tie events), I'd caution you to take it down a notch. The last thing you want is to look at these photos and see a version of yourself that doesn't really exist. So the framework I personally like when it comes to dressing myself for family photos, is to go with something I just feel my best in. If you were go to out to dinner with friends, or on a date with your partner, what might you wear if you just wanted to feel like a 10?

Step Two: Resist the urge to match. From here you're going to select pieces for the rest of your family that jive with your outfit, but not match. Yes Old Navy makes mommy and me sets that are pretty adorable, but is this really the look you want for your family photos? Instead, look for color families that work together. Feeling overwhelmed? Neutrals always hit. But aside from coordinating colors, coordinate vibe too. If you went with a bohemian look for yourself, keep that as the common thread for the rest of your crew.

Step Three: Accessories. Consider layers, belts, scarves, jewelry, etc. Just don't let your accessories steal the show (giant bows on babies, I'm looking at you). We love to see texture and depth in photos, and one of the fast tracks to achieve this is through your wardrobe.

Step Four: Consider your footwear. I'm not your frou-frou fancy photographer, so there's a decent chance we will be "off roading" at whatever location we've chosen. Keep this in mind when choosing footwear. Looking for something classic that keeps your stable and comfy.

Of course, there are some do's and don'ts.

• Do prioritize your personal style. Again, make sure you feel like you in the clothes you choose. At the end of the day, I want you to look at these photos and see an authentic representation of your family's personality.

• Do choose a simple color palette of 3-4 colors.

• Do consider location. Will we be shooting in an area with lots of greenery? Or will be on the shore of a river, with lots of cool neutral tones? Think about how the colors you choose will either blend in or pop in your surroundings.

• Do ensure proper fit. You'll likely regret clothing that's too tight, or doesn't hide bra straps or protect any insecurities you have. Check wardrobe fit a week before your session in case you need to adjust the sizing.

• Do look for texture. Linen, cotton, wool - these natural fabrics always photograph well.

• Don't choose flourescent, neon or loud graphics. These never photograph or age well. Stick with classic patterns and colors.

• Don't be afraid of pops of color. If you've gone with a mostly neutral palette, throwing a mustard cardigan on will give your photos an edge of visual interest.

• Don't choose a fine stripe or ribbed pattern. When photographed, these create what's called a moire effect, which is a bit of digital opital illusion that causes the stripes to take other shapes and wavy patterns.

• Don't forget your nails. If you're a mani girlie, you're going to want to make sure your nails are freshed, not chipped and in a color and design you can stand behind. If you don't have time, bare nails still look better than chipped polish.

• Don't stick giant bows on your baby's head. These rarely fit, and almost always take away from their face, and obstruct the camera's focus system.

• Don't be afraid of incorporating a pattern, but limit patterns to one or two family members, without overwhelming the mix. IE - dad in plaid, your daughter in a coordinating floral, etc.

• Don't wear too much black or white. These colors tend to override the aesthetic in family photos. I especially recommend eliminating black almost completely, and going with dark greys or browns instead.

• Don't be tempted by cheap dupes. These almost always are made of cheap fabrics that don't photograph well.

Coordinating your family's wardrobe can be overhwleming, but it doesn't have to be. At the end of the day, these are YOUR family photos, not just pieces for my portfolio, so what's ultimately most important is that you love what you're all wearing.