Congratulations on booking your
extended family photo session!
Getting everyone together in one place and agreeing to do photos is not an easy task! But after you coordinate the date and get everyone to agree to be there, now comes the tricky part. You want your photos to look great but you don't want to drive everyone crazy trying to coordinate outfits.
And let's be honest, no one looks good in the same thing. From different styles to different colors, everyone has their own unique look so telling everyone to wear the exact same thing usually is met with less than enthusiastic responses.
Well, not to worry. I've put together a guide to help you guide the outfit choices without anyone getting overwhelmed.
Here are my favorite tips!
There is no need to do matching outfits!
Here's all you need to do for coordinating a large family photo session!
Share a color palette.
Share some Dos and Don'ts.
Choosing a color palette
The idea is to choose a color palette of three or four complementary colors, and then dress the family in shades of that palette.
For large extended family sessions of over 15 people feel free to make the palette bigger: six to eight colors.
You can try to find something fun like jewel tones or shades of sunset.
Or you can keep the color palette neutral (greys, browns, creams), and then introduce a pop of color here and there.
Avoid: Neon, yellows, bright greens.
Don't: No characters and logos
This is a guideline for the kids. As much as the kids may love their Paw Patrol shirt, it is a distracting element in a photo. The star of the show should be the people in your family session – not the logo or words on a shirt.
Do: Shop at the same store
If you want to buy new clothing items for your family shoot, a good tip is to shop at the same store for everyone in the family. Because stores usually have collections of clothing that are released seasonally, these collections are already coordinated, making it super easy to style everyone in the family.
Do: Utilize a Styling Service
Another option if you're looking for true coordination is to utilize a styling service. While there are some options online that do a great job, I recommend Nordstroms Styling Service. At Nordstroms in Norwalk, you can book a 1 hour free styling service and begin coordinating your look with a trained professional eye. Please let me know if you have more questions about this option!
Do: Textures add visual interest
Mixing up fabrics is a smart strategy to add some dimension. A good cotton shirt is a good start, but add knits, silks, leather, lace and the like to add depth.
Do: Be Comfortable
As much as it is important to consider colors and textures when choosing what to wear for a family session, an overarching consideration should be to choose clothing that fits well and is comfortable.
Kids especially need to feel comfortable to act natural. If you put them into a stiff suit or uncomfortable shoes, they can look miserable because they feel miserable.
Soft shoes, pants that fit nicely but have some give, and dresses with softer fabrics are great options.
Do: Try it on and iron it!
I always ask my families to please try on their clothes first and make sure to press or steam wrinkles. Pulling clothes directly from a mailed package or unfolding from a drawer will show in photos. Definitely take a few moments to steam your clothing or press with an iron. Feel free to change children just before the photoshoot.
Choosing Your Color Palettes
One of my favorite tips for extended family sessions is to choose a color palette and go from there, I will attach a few at the bottom of this guide but feel free to make your own!!
