What to Wear,
Person by Person
A simple, practical guide to dressing your whole family
Once you've chosen your color palette, this guide walks you through each family member one at a time. Start with mom... everything else follows from there. It's almost always easier than you think once you have an anchor outfit to build around.
Start with you. Find something you feel genuinely amazing in... something that fits your color palette and makes you feel confident the moment you put it on. It doesn't matter if it's a dress, jeans, or a skirt and blouse. All that matters is that you love it and feel great wearing it. Everything else gets built around this one outfit.
Just like with mom, start with a base outfit that works within your color palette. Girls have so much flexibility here... dresses, skirts and tops, or even a great pair of pants with a flowy blouse all work beautifully.
- ✓ If choosing a solid dress, feel free to add a pattern like soft stripes or small dots for a little personality
- ✓ Leggings in a coordinating color can add a fun pop, especially under skirts and dresses
- ✓ For shoes, ballet flats, boots, and strappy sandals all photograph beautifully. Colored Converse or sparkly sneakers can add a fun touch too!
- ✓ Don't forget hair accessories... but keep them classic and understated. Simple clips or headbands in a coordinating tone always photograph better than large colorful bows
Boys are actually pretty easy once you have a palette to work from. Start with the pants, then build up from there. The goal is pulled-together without feeling stiff... like they dressed themselves on a really good day.
- ✓ For pants, a well-fitting pair of jeans or khakis works in almost every season. In warmer months, cute plaid shorts are a great option (just make sure plaid isn't already being used elsewhere in the group)
- ✓ A t-shirt with a button-up layered over it is always a great look. A sweater, blazer, or cute vest can take it up a notch if that fits the vibe
- ✓ Dress shoes, boat shoes, or Toms all photograph well. Make sure socks coordinate too... they show more than you'd think when sitting
- ✓ A casual hat can be a fun accessory for a few shots if it fits the overall feel
Dad is a great opportunity to pull in any palette colors that aren't well represented yet, or to anchor the group with a strong neutral. Jeans are almost always a safe starting point... from there, the top does the work.
- ✓ For pants, jeans are a popular and versatile option that works in most seasons. Gray, khaki, or navy are all great neutral choices that tend to anchor the group well
- ✓ For the top, a button-down with the sleeves rolled up, a polo, or a nice v-neck all work beautifully. If it's cooler out, a blazer or casual jacket completes the look
- ✓ Boots or dress shoes look great with jeans. Boat shoes or casual loafers work well in warmer months. Socks should coordinate just like with the boys
Once you have everyone's outfits chosen, lay them all out together on a bed or the floor and take a look. Does it feel balanced? Is there a good mix of your palette colors? Does anything feel out of place? This is the easiest way to catch something before picture day.
- ✓ Everyone has tried on their outfit ahead of time — not the morning of. Make sure everything fits comfortably and nothing needs to be ironed or adjusted
- ✓ Shoes are broken in enough to be comfortable. Blisters on picture day are no fun for anyone
- ✓ Hair accessories, jewelry, and extras are gathered and ready to go
- ✓ Everything is hung together in the closet so there's no last-minute scramble