Choosing Outfits & Styling Tips for your Lifestyle Session

Don’t: Neon colors.

By wearing neon colors, it can cast weird colors on the faces and look really weird in the photos. Also note that I do NOT want you to stay away from colors in general, I LOVE colors. Just make sure that you’re staying away from anything too bright!

Do: Jewel tones and softer colors.

Jewel tones look great on EVERYONE. These are vibrant colors, but not neon bright. Colors are a great way to show off your personality and wear what you love! You can also always use dusty or pastel colors, and sometimes the location and season calls for something more soft!

Don’t: All white.

It’s easy to choose all white as an option because the options really are overwhelming. If you never put yourself or your children in white in real life, then don’t try and force it for a photoshoot. We want to make sure you are showing your personality through the clothes that you are wearing, not trying to fit into the mold of outdated expectations.

Do: Mixed Neutrals.

Adding white along with some neutrals (navy, browns, tans, ivory, etc.) work out beautifully! Having mom wear a white dress with everyone else wearing variations of other neutrals evens it all out so it doesn’t look so stark!

Don’t: Matching.

Speaking of outdated… DEFINITELY DON’T try and get your entire family in exactly matching outfits. UNLESS you are really going for a hilarious throw back photoshoot. Again, if you wouldn’t go out like this normally, there’s no need to try and fake it. This photoshoot is about celebrating who you are as a family, and part of that is showing who each of your family members personality through their outfits!

Do: Coordinating colors.

Coordinating is what most people want to go for, but end up just matching instead. With coordinating colors, it’s so easy to bring out your personalities while not being outdated. Using the attached color schemes, it will help you find a good variation of pieces! Any of these colors can also go along with a neutral as well, to help you not look so overwhelming!

Don’t: Busy patterns/words/logos.

Patterns can be great, but they can also be overwhelming. These tend to take away from the emotion in the actual photos because your eyes will go right there instead of your happy smiles.

Do: Subtle patterns and solids.

Instead of putting everyone in a pattern, try having one person wear something with a pattern on it! Stick with medium patterns to not overdo it and match it with solid colors! You can still use the same color schemes, even if a pattern adds an additional color to the pot!

Don’t: Pick outfits for the easiest person first.

This will make it extra hard to find something that coordinates for the person that is HARDEST to buy for.

Do: Pick the outfit for the hardest person to dress first.

Once you have this first outfit, it can help you pick your color scheme, and then find coordinating outfits for everyone else! It’ll be much easier to build a look that way!

Don’t: Stiff clothing.

Women, this one is for you! It’s easy to be afraid to step outside of our comfort zones for outfits, but try to stay away from anything that makes you feel stiff or uncomfortable. If your outfits feel uncomfortable, on the day of the shoot, you’ll most likely look uncomfortable too.

Do: Choose flowy outfits!

Choosing a long flowing skirt, or a maxi dress shows movement really well. This might seem a little dressy for a photoshoot, but there’s definitely no such thing! Wear what makes you FEEL amazing, and I you need help finding that, I’m your girl!

Interested in learning more about our family sessions?

Color Schemes

Here are some easy color schemes to use while finding clothing for your family! Don’t worry about putting each family member in one color, instead pick two or three colors for each person’s outfit and go from there! As always, I am always available to help style you while you’re out (or in) shopping, so don’t hesitate to ask me for help!

Interested in learning more about our family sessions?