How to style your family for a Michigan photoshoot

Client Experience

Choosing what to wear to your photo shoot can be hard! But don't stress it; I'm here to help. I created this style guide to help you decide what to wear to your photo shoot with Becks Photography.

Be Comfortable and Confident in Your Photo Shoot Outfit

The most important advice I can give you is to wear something you're comfortable and confident in. Confidence looks great on everyone!

Secondly, dress up! Have the mindset of creating fun, magical, whimsical photos. Flowy dresses, knit sweaters, linen shirts, overall on babies, etc. You should avoid outfits with logos, brands, or any wording. Also, keep in mind the location that you choose, you don't want to be wearing a tux in a local park. It's not every day that you have your photos taken. Wear a dress or your favorite nice sweater as your outfit for family pictures!

Please keep in mind that most of your family session will include playing with your children so please wear something you are comfortable playing in.

CHOOSING outfits with movement and texture

To create family photos that are full of love and emotion it's important to choose outfits that let you move, play, and love on your family. Wearing a suit or a tight dress will not only hinder your movement but also portray your family as tight and uncomfortable. A family session with me will involve a lot of movement and play with your children and it's critical that you choose outfits that allow you to do so.

Why You Should Skip Matching Outfits

When it comes to styling a group of people, coordinating is ALWAYS better than matching. You want your family photo outfits to compliment each other, not to match. Meaning, it's best if the members of your family are not in the same exactly outfits/colors, and rather different shades of the same color or colors that compliment each other.

The easiest way to do this with a group is to pick a few colors and have everyone wear various shades of one of those colors with some neutrals and patterns mixed in. If you are a family of 3-5 people: pick 2-3 colors along with 1-2 neutrals. If you are a family of 6-8 people: pick 3-4 colors along with 1-2 neutrals. If you are a family of 9+ people: choose 4-5 colors with 1-2 neutrals. Below, I will give you the best color combinations for the season.

Remember, we don't want to match but instead compliment each other by choosing different shades of the same colors and colors that compliment each other. To really elevate your photos, be sure to add a variety of textures and layers. No two family members should be in the same outfit or same exact color.

wearing Textures & Layers

Textures and layers are a must for family photos! They enhance your photos, taking them to the next level. A textured sweater, jacket, cardigan or hat will add nice depth to your photos in layers. Overalls, sweaters, dresses, and jackets (sherpa, shackets, cardigans) are also a great way to add texture to your children's outfits and your own. Layering is a great way to incorporate depth and textures and to also dress up a seemingly normal outfit. Adding accessories like hats, scarfs, socks, and jewelry are also a great way to enhance your photos. I highly recommend staying within your comfort zone for these though- if you don't normally wear it, don't buy it for photos!

the right way to INCORPORATE patterns

While it is a difficult task to incorporate a pattern into your outfits there is a correct way to do it. If you'd like to add patterns I suggest a few things.

1. Do not match patterns. Like stated earlier, your family should never match, instead their outfits should compliment each other.

2. Choose small patterns vs large prints. For example, a dress with lots of little flowers vs a dress with three large flowers.

3. Choose a pattern with minimal color variances. A cream dress with beige flowers vs a cream dress with rainbow flowers.

4. Stick to the rules of 1 person wearing a pattern per 3 people.

5. Some very small patterns like stripes and checkers create moire which is very distracting in a photo.

Just remember, the more "busy" your outfits are, the more distracted the viewer is. Your family photos are about focusing on your family.

Choosing the Right Clothing Colors for Your Photo Shoot

For a timeless look, I recommend you wear shades of beige, brown, and cream. If you'd like to wear colors, pastels and muted earth tones look the best. Shades yellow and green always look nice. If you're like me and like to play it safe, neutrals and muted earth tones are generally the best colors you can choose. If you are more expressive with your wardrobe, I highly recommend pastels, muted, or dusty colors. Bold, dark and neon colors do not photograph well, I highly suggest avoiding them. Believe it or not, pure white does not photograph well either. Pure whites tend to give off a blue/magenta tone when photographed, creams however photograph beautifully. With my editing style, lighter colors tend to look better. If you decide to wear blacks, dark browns or blue, your photos will look darker and the viewers eye will be drawn to your clothes and not your faces.

knowing your location

It's SO important to dress for your location. The location you choose will impact your type of clothes and the best colors to choose. As a generally rule, you want to choose contrasting color/tones of your background while also matching the vibe of your location. For example, at the Christmas Tree Farm it would be best to wear light colors since you are surrounded by dark trees and it would look silly to wear 5 inch stilettos at a farm. Another example: if you choose the large willow tree at Addison Oaks in July, you will be surrounded by greens so it would be best not to wear green but another pastel color, or a neutral. You also wouldn't want to wear a button up and tie at this location since it has a whimsical and playful vibe. Once you have filled out your questionnaire with the location you choose, I can help you with this!

Choosing the best colors for your skin tone

It's important to choose a color that looks best with your skin tone! If you have very fair skin and hair, it's best to wear something a little darker. If you have darker skin or hair, it's best to wear something lighter. Creating contrast between your skin and your clothes creates a beautiful visual that help highlight you! Believe it or not, ask ChatGTP, if you ask "what colors look best on someone with ____ insert your skin tone, hair and eye color," it will suggest colors that look great on you and colors to avoid! Try this with your whole family!

Get the Perfect Pictures by Dressing for the Seasons

Each season brings something new to the lens, whether that’s the stark winter backdrop or the vibrant shades of summer. To ensure you’re standing out in your family photo outfits, I recommend wearing colors that contrast with the scenery so you can be the focus instead of blending into your surroundings. Remember to pair the colors you choose with neutrals like cream and beige.

COLOR TIPS FOR family photo OUTFITS IN EACH SEASON:

Winter: Beige, cream, dusty blue, maroon, muted green, dusty pink, and mauve

Spring: Beige, cream and pastels (green, yellow, pink or blue)

Summer: Beige, cream, muted greens, dusty blue, mauve, dusty pink and pastel yellows

Fall: Beige, cream, brown, burnt orange, dusty maroon, pastel or mustard yellow, and muted greens

In-Home: Muted colors that are complimentary to your home or neutrals are best

Christmas Tree Farm Minis: cream, beige, dark red(wine), maroon, and cherry red

WEARING COLORS FOR YOUR WINTER PICTURES

In the winter months, you can wear something more bold and add a pop of color since there’s a lack of natural colors for outdoor locations. Earth tones still look best and it's important that you don't wear anything too dark or neon. Remember to pair the colors you choose with neutrals like cream and beige. If it's a chilly day, consider wearing a cute scarf, gloves/mittens or a fun hat to accessorize. In the colder months you should always wear a warm base layer under your cute outfit and add layers with a nice jacket or vest! You should will choose an outfit that allows movement and play. I will often ask you to put a child on your shoulders or throw them up in the air. It's important to still choose cute coordinating outfits in the winter and not just throw on a winter jacket. Oftentimes a winter jacket can "swallow" you or your children, especially if you are holding them for a photo.

SPRING PHOTOshoot color OUTFIT OPTIONS

In spring, it's important to consider the colors around you. Most locations are either still very colorless or are just starting to get some greens. Pastel colors look nice when paired with a beige or a cream. Layering with a chunky cream sweater or a shacket looks wonderful in the spring.

SOLID PASTELS FOR SUMMER SHOOTS

In the summery months of May to early September, the landscape is booming with colors. It's important that your outfit doesn't take away from this. If you want to include prints, small floral prints and buffalo plaid can look nice if done correctly but solid pastels, creams, and neutrals are my favorite! Just remember that no two people should be in the exact same outfit and only 1 out of every 4 people should be wearing a pattern.

WARM COLORS AND COZY NEUTRALS FOR FALL PICTURES

From late September to early November, Michigan turns a beautiful yellow, orange, and red. Soft browns, tan, cream, and beige look great in the fall. Colors found in nature, like muted greens, dusty maroon, and burnt orange, and pastel or mustard yellow also look very nice for your autumn photo shoot. If you'd like to include a pattern, buffalo plaid and flannels can look nice if the print isn't too "busy." In the colder months you should always wear a warm base layer under your cute outfit and add layers with a nice jacket, vest, shacket or cardigan! Please put tights or high socks on if you choose to wear a short dress.

COMPLIMENTARY COLORS FOR AN IN-HOME SESSION

If you have booked an in-home session it is best not to match the tones in your home but to choose muted colors that compliment your decor. You do NOT want to choose the same tones as your walls or couch but you could wear a darker or lighter tone of the same color. If your home is very neutral, it's best not to wear neutrals. If you home is very colorful, it's best to wear neutrals. For example, my home is mainly tans, blacks, and grays with a slight splash of sage green. It would be best for us to avoid neutrals or we would blend in with our home, instead we would wear different tones of sage green. Another example-if your home has colorful 70's decor, wear neutral colors with fun textures. Remember, solid colors in muted tones are best, try to avoid patterns and incorporate textures. If this is for a newborn session, keep in mind that I ask you to turn your heat up to around 72, if you wear a sweater, I can promise you'll be sweating. Choose something cooler like a linen shirt or dress. Shoes or no shoes? This is totally up to you but think about it and make a decision as a family. It looks odd if some people are in shoes and some are not. I personally love the look of cute socks in the home.

TIMELESS OUTFITS FOR CHRISTMAS TREE FARM PHOTOS

For my November minis at Addison Oaks Tree Farm I highly suggest wearing something festive BUT also timeless. Please leave the Christmas sweaters at home and instead get dressed up in your best "Christmas at Grandmas or Sunday best" outfit. Shades of cream, beige, brown, grey, black, dark red (wine) or cherry red will look best with the background at Addison Oaks. Choose 1 or 2 colors to pair with neutrals or go all neutrals! Try to incorporate different textures and skip patterns altogether. Think warm and cozy chunky sweaters with jeans or khakis for the guys and warm textured dresses for the ladies. These photos will not include any "Christmas props" just the natural background at the Christmas Tree Farm. In the colder months you should always wear a warm base layer under your cute outfit and add layers with a nice jacket or vest! You can also wear a winter jacket for the walk and the wait and take it off when it's your turn.

colors to always avoid:

I good rule when choose colors for your photoshoot is to always avoid neon colors. They are very distracting, pulling the viewer away from your precious family and straight to your bold outfits. They will also cast colors onto your skin tones making your skin look neon as well.

colors to be cautious choosing:

Some colors look great in person but just don't photograph the best. Very dark colors like navy and black turn into a black hole on the camera. You will loose any depth or texture that your outfit has and it will look like you are just wearing a big dark blob. I have had many clients in the past choose to wear a chunky black sweater or a knitting navy dress and the textures in their outfits are completely lost in camera, this is something you'll want to avoid. Pure white can also be controversial. White may look good in person but in camera, it always casts a blue hue. It's best to choose a cream/off white instead of a purple white. If you do decide to go with a pure white, I will lower the blue contrast in your photos to compensate this, meaning that all of the blues will be less saturated. Again, not the end of the world but something to consider! Lastly, bright red. Red isn't normally considered a "neon color" but if it's bright enough, it will cast a red hue onto your skin, making your skin look red! Again- not the end of the world but something to consider.

THIS ONE'S FOR THE GIRLS

First things first, please make sure that you are wearing the correct undergarmets for your outfits. I suggest nude colors and strapless if necessary. I cannot edit out straps and lines so please plan accordingly. On to the fun stuff, let's talk about your hair and make-up! Again, the best advice I can give you is to be you, and be comfortable. Now I'm not talking about laying on your couch after a long day comfortable, I'm talking about so confident that you're radiating, comfortable! Think about what how you'd do your hair and make up to attend a wedding, go to Christmas dinner. You want to look your best but it's not the day to try a new hairstyle or make up trend. Some tips for hair and make up...

natural colored and looking make up looks best

typically women look best with their hair down

less is more

PLEASE avoid skinny heals

choose shoes and clothes that allow you to move comfortably, you session will be more playing with your kids than standing still and posing

if this is a maternity/newborn session, keep in mind that you may be a tad "bustier" than your normally are

Please keep in mind that in you choose a nature setting, you will be in nature. There may be bugs, dirt, animals, goose poop, etc. We will also be taking photos standing on grass and gravel, which will make it difficult to walk in heals.

LITTLE GIRLS

If you are planning a dress for your little girl please dress her in a diaper cover or skin tight shorts for her to wear under the dress. A lot of my poses for families include sitting and play. This extra step will insure that her diaper/underwear remain private. Skirts are NOT the best options as they will most likely ride up.

LAST MINUTE TIPS AND TRICKS

If you wear glasses, there may be a glare, especially if they are not the anti-glare glass

Iron or steam your clothes

Remember to brush your teeth

Put on the nice jewelry. Remove your everyday Apple Watch and rubber ring and put on your nice watch and gold wedding ring

Remove everything from your pockets

Do not wear a hair tie on your wrist before your session

In short...

Wear something you're confident in

Compliment each other, do not match

Choose outfits that aren't too "busy"

Make sure you can comfortably move and play with your family