What Should I Wear for Spring Family Photos?

What Should I Wear for my Spring Family Photos?

J’aime and J’adore Photography – Northeast Ohio Family and Wedding Photographer

So you’re not sure what to wear for your spring family photos? I get it! Choosing what to wear for family photos is always a tricky decision. Professional photos are an investment, and getting everyone to look their best, and for everyone to look good together, can be tricky. Well, if you are planning your own spring photos – or if this is the piece that is holding you back from booking them – I’m here to help. Here are my top tips for choosing outfits in general, with a special emphasis on how to compliment this beautiful time of year. 

• My number one tip should trump all of those below it: Start with what you love. You want to feel beautiful and confident, so choosing a favorite piece or color can have a huge impact on how you feel. And how you feel will be reflected in how you look in your photos. 

• Go for coordinated, not matching! The days of the whole family in a white t-shirt and jeans are over. Choose colors that look nice together, but don’t fall into the trap that you all need to be wearing the exact same blue shirt. Your photos will be far more interesting with some variation! In spring specifically, I love the idea of dressing in pastels, subtle floral prints, and neutrals that help with that spring feeling of new-ness and reawakening. Katie did a great job of this with her family, coordinating pastels with prints on her kids in the same color family. And I LOVE how she used the olive green in her pants as a coordinating neutral! 

For the Ladies

Let’s be honest with ourselves, 90% of the time, we are the ones setting everything up and making the decisions. And that is why I want you to START WITH YOURSELF! As moms, wives, or women in general, society has us conditioned to put others before ourselves. It has also conditioned us to constantly critique our own appearance. These together are a potent combination when choosing an outfit for pictures, so I think it is vital that you choose your own look first, then plan the family around you. 

• Dresses are the most flattering and photograph beautifully. Bonus points if it is a dress with movement, to add a level of dimension and grace to your photos. 
• Add a pop of color through details or layers. Jewelry, scarves, and jackets or sweaters can give you dimension and diversity in your photos. 
• Fit is vital! You don’t want to try to get yourself into your old favorite outfit even if its just a *bit too tight now. But you also don’t want to hide your beautiful self in a giant sack you called a dress because you’re afraid something fitted will highlight areas you aren’t comfortable with.
• Go with what you’re comfortable with! If you never, ever wear dresses, it doesn’t matter if they photograph well. If you don’t enjoy wearing your outfit, it will show in your pictures. I’m not saying throw on sweats and your bathrobe, but you want your family photos to be a slightly polished version of who you really are!  

Don’t Forget the Guys

• I recommend dressy casual here as well. Depending on how stylish your man is, jeans or chinos are good options, and a button-down or henley always looks sharp.  
• Keep in mind that fitted pants (as opposed to cargo) photograph better. And once again, fit is king when it comes to looking and feeling your best. 
• Closed toe, neutral color shoes add a hint of class without distracting from the true subject, which is your family. 
• Again, coordinating colors, subtle patterns, and looking like the best version of who you truly are will create the most authentic and cohesive images. 

What About my Kids?

• The same rules that I mentioned above work for kids as well. Choose something that fits well, they are comfortable in, and that represents the best version of themselves. 
• Kids are always cute, so make sure they are the focus. Subtle patterns work better than overwhelming ones. Bright or neon colors and graphics also pull the focus away  from your child, so they are best avoided. 
• Don’t forget the accessories! Layers and add-ons are great for kids also. Hair accessories, jewelry, suspenders or a bow tie all add dimension and charm.