It's a common question I get when a family books their photo session, and the solution is less daunting than it feels. Here's a few tips to coordinate outfits without looking TOO matchy-matchy.
1) Pick three to four colors - There's no need to buy five matching t-shirts to make the family look united because quite frankly, it has the potential of looking too cheesy. Instead, I recommend choosing 3 to 4 colors that you like. You want several of them to be a neutral (tan, white, blue, black, etc), and at least one to be a pop of color (red, yellow, turquoise, etc.). Blue jeans are always a nice neutral to incorporate. Once you pick the colors, look for outfits that fall into the color category. There's no need to have everyone wear all three or four colors. Just make sure that their outfit contains at least one or two of the choices. Accessories and shoes are a great way to add some extra color if desired!
Here's an example of a large extended family who stylized accordingly:
2) TeXtuRe - Something that adds character to a photo (other than your adorable self) is texture. Layering clothes made of different fabrics is always a plus. Shiny red rain boots on your kiddo's feet matched with skinny jeans, a white cotton t-shirt, and a knit button up sweater is a great example of incorporating different textures in one outfit. The results create great visual interest in your family portrait.
3) Simple is Timeless - Fads are tempting to partake in, but I highly recommend avoiding anything too eccentric that will make you cringe in 20 years. Neon parachute pants are a great example of an 80's trend that no one is proud of... except of course, MC Hammer. Avoiding graphics, logos, etc. is another good rule of thumb. This type of apparel tends to be distracting to the overall photo.
Alrighty guys! I hope these few tips help you to plan your perfect outfits. If you're still just lost with what to wear, feel free to contact me and I will help you tackle it!
Lots of Love!
- Nicole Carpenter
