What to wear for family photoshoots {the “three colors + POP” rule}

If you are anything like me, you probably struggle when it comes to what to wear for family photoshoots.  With the fall season of family portraits in a few months, I thought I’d give you a jump start in planning and shopping for your 2012 family picture.  I am going to use my 2011 family picture with my husband’s family as an example:

 

 

I like to try and follow what I call the “Three Colors + POP” rule:

1.  Pick three colors (one being a neutral)  and put together outfits with those colors only.  More than three colors can seem a bit busy.  Here, we picked navy blue (dark wash blue jeans), gray, and mustard yellow. Neutrals include black, white, gray, khaki, etc.

2.  Add in an unexpected POP of color.  The girls’ purple boots fit the bill.  Would I wear purple boots?  Probably not.  Adorable on my little girls?  Yes.  Be aware that this POP will become a focal point in the picture, so I wouldn’t advise adding this color in an area that you don’t want others to look at too closely.  We kept the girls in the middle of the picture so that your eye is instantly drawn to the middle where the grandparents are sitting, the head of our family.

{I must make a disclaimer: RULES CAN BE BROKEN.  I am preaching to myself here.  However, I will say that these guidelines generally work well to produce a a cohesive, vibrant family portrait; a modern take on the whole “white shirts and blue jeans”, if you will.}

Other tips:

1.  Think coordinating, not matching.  Again, unless you want your family picture to look straight out of 1990, try to not match outfits exactly (although I have been known to match my girls just because it’s so darn cute).

2.  Try and pick colors that complement the surrounding environment.  My husband’s family lives in the Central Valley of California, which has an abundance of orchards that look just lovely in the fall and spring.  The mustard yellow of our scarves blends beautifully with the trees’ golden leaves.

If you want to take this one step further (if you plan on displaying this picture in your home), try and choose colors that will compliment your home decor.  My home is decorated with a lot of neutrals; thus, I would never pick neon colors for our outfits.  Of course I’m exaggerating, but you get the point.

3.  Use your brightest colors as accessories.  You don’t want the brightest colors detracting from the most important part of the picture:  the PEOPLE!

4.  It is ok to mix solids and simple patterns.  I know a lot of photographers might argue with me on this one, but I like to think that SIMPLE patterns add interest and texture to a picture.  Three of the men above have patterned, buttoned-down shirts, and it works just fine with the solid colors.  If you stick to a color scheme, everything just naturally blends together.

So, that’s it!  Hopefully, the above tips will help you do a little advance planning for what to wear for family photoshoots to create a beautiful family portrait you can be proud of.