Style Tips 4 years ago 8 Key Styling Tips for Family Photos
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It’s that time of year again where we can all start to stress about the dreaded family photo.
All joking aside, planning out the picture perfect picture for a holiday card or memory box can be quite a stressful task.
By no means do I think we have the best overall family style. In fact, I stress out big time over making sure that all three of us have anything to wear at all, much less have it be coordinating in an easy, not forced, but cute way.
There’s a lot to think about! And while I’m still learning how to get that picture perfect shot with our (almost) 2 year old, here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the past few years.
When in Doubt
If you just can’t seem to get your sh** together this year, just do a black and white photo! No one will know that your daughter is wearing a neon orange top while you’re wearing a green sweater. Just try your best to dress in solids vs. patterns {or have 1-2 people in patterns).
If you catch a candid moment that doesn’t feel like it makes sense, write to the moment in your caption like “Kissing 2020 Goodbye!”
I love a good candid photo moment. So when you hire a photographer, just let them do their thing while you hang out with your kiddo’s and trust that you’re bound to get something.
Relax
Just relax and let your kiddo’s run around and get comfortable. Sitting all stiff, smiling straight at the camera sometimes just won’t cut it. The candid moments are better anyway. Last year, we scheduled a studio shoot for our Christmas cards. I had planned our outfits days in advance, forced Grant to pack up our fake Christmas tree along with other decor. When we arrived at the studio I realized we had left the base of the tree. Anyone with a baby under 1 year knows how small of a window of time you have to do things like a holiday shoot. At first, I was heartbroken but then I decided to just let it go and roll with it.
The picture isn’t perfect, but neither is life!
Now when I look back at our first Christmas as a family, I laugh about the day we took this photo and how it was so symbolic for that first year of parenting.
Pick a Color
I always start our family photo outfit planning with something I want June to wear. It’s much easier to coordinate off of a particular dress or top versus thinking about the big picture overall. So, begin with one garment and build around it. For example. in the below photo I knew I wanted June to wear this navy polka dot dress so I coordinated our outfits to compliment hers.
Don’t Match, Coordinate
There is a difference in being color coordinated versus being so matchy-matchy that you look like a walking advertisement. Start with one family member’s outfit and layer from it. Try to stay within 2-3 colors total throughout the group. Even if it means dressing more casually and everyone wearing denim and white t-shirts, that’s a-okay too!
(Jacey in Doen dress, June in Polo dress that is monogrammed)
Pull in your Surroundings
Snapping photos in your own home? Heading to a pumpkin patch? Wherever you are, be sure to take in to account what your background will be and try to match the color ways. Is your home dark and moody or bright and airy? Lean in to the mood you are shooting in.
Keep it Neutral
When in doubt, stick to neutral colors and avoid showing any logos or loud prints. If you are really struggling and looking to shop for new outfits, a safe bet is to purchase items from the same store.
Lean Into Matching
Another “when in doubt” is to really lean in to the cheese-factor of being “that” family who is full blown matching.
Have Fun
At the end of the day, do your best to be easy going and have fun with your family photos. Even if it means capturing a mirror selfie moment, this photo is more about freezing time on your memories than anything.
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