Be comfortable
Purchase clothes that fit. Too big, too small or too itchy is a problem. Dress for the weather! Hot kids are hot messes and freezing cold kids are total disasters. Be flexible and choose outfits that you can add or take away layers on. If you bought brand new shoes for everyone let everyone break them in a little or come with bandaids because when a kid gets a blister things go south quickly. I can’t tell you how many sessions have ended with a frustrated dad carrying the crying barefoot kid with the blister, lol.
You’re going to be active
We jump, we spin, we sit and we lay on the ground during our session. Some women can rock a dress in these situations, some women (like me) can’t. The last thing you want to be worried about is your underwear showing during a fun-filled session so keep that in mind as you’re planning. Also if you have a daughter in a dress make sure she has something on underneath that you won’t mind showing if she is swung into the air.
Start with one outfit
By far the easiest way to plan everyone’s outfits is to start with one and build from that. Matching everyone around a floral dress or a plaid or patterned shirt is easypeasy. You will see many examples of this below.
Coordinate your outfits, don’t match
I once read and loved the idea to think of all of your outfits together as one big outfit. This is good advice if you just want to come up with a palette of 3-4 colors and have everyone wear shades within as shown in following images.
Color, color, color!!
Some of my clients are amazing at throwing color together and I love it when it works and lands in front of my camera. So fun!
Neutral, neutral, neutral!
You can’t go wrong with a classic and clean neutral palette. Very natural and simple. It draws your eyes immediately to the faces in the images.
Accessorize!
Don’t forget to wear fun jewelry, scarves and hats! Sometimes they can pull everything together. Also if your child has a favorite book or stuffed animal bring it!! I love to document favorite stuffed animals, books and blankets.
Shoes and socks matter
Your shoes and socks will be in the pictures! The second you sit down your socks reveal themselves so be ready!
Bring the dog
If in doubt bring the dog! Even if they are naughty and hyper I think dogs make everyone more relaxed resulting in more natural authentic smiles. Plus I love dogs.
The please DON’T wear this list
Please please please avoid wearing the following….
*all white shirts
*fluorescent anything
*aqua anything
*pastel button down oxford shirts because there is a sheen on them that doesn’t always photograph well INSTEAD pick denim or chambray
*tiny checked or pinstriped shirts because for some reason they look psychedelic and wavy when photographed INSTEAD wear larger checks (1/2”) and larger stripes
*shirts with big numbers or words or graphics however BUT if you want to slide an OSU shirt on or superhero shirt on for a few shots that’s a lot of fun.
Also, if you have scheduled a grassy or wooded area for your session stay away from green if it’s summer because you will blend in with the foliage.
Want more outfit inspiration?
No problem! View our boards on Pinterest below to gather outfit ideas for your session!
