Color Coordinating Your Family Portrait

It can be challenging to pick just the right outfits for your spouse and kids when it’s time to do the family portrait.

What you wear in a photograph tells part of the story about who you are at that moment in time.  Anyone with a yearbook photograph from the 1980s understands this all too well.

The first step in selecting an outfit is to walk away from the closets.  Yes, walk away from the closets and find some comfy chairs.  Sit everyone down and get ideas from everyone in the family.  This exercise isn’t so much about finding the right theme or style but getting everyone to buy into the idea of a professional photograph of the family.  You’ll want those expressions to be happy rather than sullen.

There are some basic guidelines for portrait clothing.  If you are setting this photo on a beach, then pick summer clothing.  If you are in a formal setting, think tuxes and gowns.

Colors should complement each other.  You don’t have to all wear the same color unless that’s part of your theme.  Everyone in a white T-shirt with jeans can be a great look.  Or, you can each wear a shirt in a different primary color.  The point here is to coordinate.  Blue and orange are striking; blue and green are calming; blue and black may be a bit too dark if you’re all brunettes.

If you want to match clothing, then match.  Don’t try to get away with “close enough” because those words will haunt you every time you see the family portrait.

Return to the idea of your professional photograph as a story.  Where is the drama and how do you want to focus the attention of anyone who sees this portrait?  The general answer here is “faces” so don’t go overboard with accessories or clothing that attracts more attention away from the family.

Your professional photographer will help with posing but give some thought about how you want to group your family.  That might help you select between outfits.  For example, if you are going to focus from the waist up, then you don’t need to worry about the color of pants.

A family portrait should be a fun time that will memorialize your loved ones in time.  The little ones will grow fast so capture this moment with more than just the professional portrait.  Enjoy the experience and call PremierPortraits Studio for more tips and answers to questions!