Color Palette


Coordinating outfits for your family doesn't have to be a daunting task. There are just a few key elements to keep in mind when picking out clothes; color, texture, and type. And if you're not sure you correctly coordinated, you can create a vision board (if you're ordering clothes) or lay them all out together on your bed.


Every person in your family should have a neutral color on them somewhere. From there, you can coordinate colors that look good next to each other but are not the same exact color. Trust me, you do not want to snuggle together for a picture and look like a big blurb of [insert color] with floating faces. Nobody wants that. For example, you can do neutrals but then people can each have a color from a gradient like light pink, mauve, and wine.


Things to consider when picking colors:

  1. Where will your photoshoot take place? Is there a lot of a certain color already there?
  2. Does that color wash out your skintone?
  3. Do all the colors compliment each other?


If you're unsure how the colors will match, you are welcome to consult me on the matter. We can make a digital color palette and help fill in the missing pieces. Trust me when I say this is the hardest part of the photoshoot experience. As a mother to 6 having to do this for her own family, I get it!

Texture


While you want to keep the colors as plain and simple as possible, that's not the case with texture. It's best to rely on varying texture to add intrigue to a photo, not patterns. Clothes with texture brings depth to a photo - pulling in shadows and highlights where it would otherwise be smooth. There are a few easy methods you can use to bring texture to your outfits:


  • Clothes with ruffles
  • Velvet or satin material
  • Accessories like bracelets, belts, or necklaces
  • Leather or fur on vest or boots


You don't want to go crazy with texture, but it is good to sprinkle some in for intrigue.

Type


The final notes you should make when looking over your prospecting outfit choices should be:

  1. Are they seasonally appropriate? Scarves in Summer is an odd sight, and sunhats in Winter don't make a lot of sense either.
  2. Do they expose a lot of skin? If your legs and arms are bare in the photos, it will distract from faces. While that's not an issue in boudoir, it can be a big issue for family portraits. Cover up as much as possible, weather permitting. In the heat of summer this looks like maxi dresses and light-weight materials.
  3. Do not forget about shoes! This gets overlooked often because it's seen as of little importance, but it is just as much a part of the outfit as the rest of it. Unless you're doing a barefoot session at the beach or in your home.

Do


  • Wear neutrals & complimentary colors
  • Muted, dark, or light colors are best
  • Add layers or texture for depth
  • Solid colors
  • Wear comfortable clothes

Don't


  • Wear bold & matching colors
  • Same material throughout, no accessories, and no ruffles
  • Fine-lined patterns, words, or graphic art
  • Wear scratchy materials or uncomfortable clothes you don't like just because it looks good for photos

Ultimately...


Don't lose sight of why you are taking the photos. There are so many dos and donts of how to get the perfect palette... it's easy to become overwhelmed. Remember that you are there to take note of a big milestone, or remember today for what it is, or even just to have fun. It's for you and yours.

BFF session from May 2021