This next post in the series of “How to take better photographs of your children” is actually great for anyone who would like a family photography shoot or baby photography shoot or in fact any location or studio photography shoot where you just don’t know what to wear. But of course it works for when you want to take your own photographs too
There are a few main issues with what to wear… fashion, where you would like the photographs to hang,what suits you and coordination.
So let’s start with fashion…
I started my university life studying fashion, many moons ago I would only wear the very latest trends and colours. I’ve probably modelled most fashion disasters going, although I am proud to say I never owned a shell suit – but my sister Emily did (sorry Emily!!!). When I was very little my mum let me have a puffball skirt and I loved it. Fast forward to today I’m glad we don’t have any large family portraits on the wall with any such fashion disasters. It’s safe to say most items will date in some way, but you can limit it by trying to be a little classic and ideally no labels/motifs showing. I do however LOVE independant brands, we are so lucky with the rise of the facebook brands there are so many lovely children’s clothing brands, you can pick your favourite fabrics and styles. Two of my current favourites are Bella and Barnaby (https://www.facebook.com/Bellaandbarnaby) and of course the lovely Betsy Boo creations (https://www.facebook.com/BetsyBooCreations)
Where would you like your photographs to hang? What decor do you love
It might seem obvious, but its something I always discuss with my families. I had a beautiful shot of a baby with a cute ditsy print, the mum requested the background and adored it. The photograph itself even was highly commended in the MPA awards. It’s adorable. But the parents don’t have ditsy decor, in fact their home is modern in neutral shades of brown. So the cute pink, red and white background was never going to work as a huge frame, lucky they have it framed smaller and there were other neutral images for their large frame. As well as the backgrounds or location, equally the colours and style of your clothes should too. When we do our own family photographs we often pick neutrals, but there is no reason you need to go neutral. If you like colour in your home there is no reason not to pick colours that work for your home. Bright colours work beautifully in family photographs they just need to work out how they would suit your home. In our new home we are gradually decorating with colour so hoping to do a new ice cream shades photoshoot with mints, lemons, peaches and pinks!
What suits you?
The one colour I suggest avoiding is black, there is a myth that black is the most flattering colour – but it can often be the opposite, as there are no shadows or definition so it can actually make you look larger where it merges into one. But of course you need to feel comfortable so if you only want to wear black of course you can. Whats best is to work with your shape and style. If you are super casual then t-shirts and shorts will be perfect for your home and dressing up might make you feel odd. Whilst I wear them lots I never feel jeans suit me so Id probably steer clear of them for a shoot. And there is nothing to say you cant have fun with your clothes. If the location is right you can be as dressy as you like, if that’s the style that works for you. There is nothing to say that a pretty dress for your little lady wouldn’t work perfectly walking through the woods too
Co-ordinate
If in doubt nominate one person to co-ordinate the whole family. As the key to looking great is for everyone to match in someway and look like a family. I’ve created a few mood boards to show you some suggestions, just to inspire you, of course just can always go for white tops and denim bottoms if in doubt!
