Deciding what to wear for you alone, is probably pretty easy. Planning out the whole family’s wardrobe for your photo session? A little bit harder.

So here are a few tips to keep in mind for your next photo shoot, including my What to Wear Inspiration: Fall Edition. This will become a seasonal series, so watch for the Winter Edition, if this has helped you!

(and no, I’m not going to tell you to dress like Cher in Clueless, as shown here. As if! But if that’s your style, go for it!)

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#1[/su_dropcap]Comfort is key! When you feel comfortable, you look comfortable, and vice versa. And the same goes for the little ones- except if they  feel uncomfortable, they wont be able to hide it as well as you will. This could make for a lot of ‘I’m mad’ type faces, and while I personally think that makes a cute photo sometimes, I’m sure you would prefer a smiling, happy child. So go for whatever you feel comfortable in, and dress your child in something similar feeling to their every day wear.

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#2[/su_dropcap] Layers are your friends. Embrace them! Layers can take an outfit from plain, to interesting with a few pops of colors. Scarves, hats, colorful under-shirts, socks- all of these things can completely change an outfit. Next time you’re watching tv and a commercial comes on, or you’re walking through the mall, you’ll notice the abundance of layers on models & mannequins. It’s because it looks good! Give it a try!

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#3[/su_dropcap] Build off of one outfit. If you’re planning for the whole family, start with one outfit that you really, really like, and build the other wardrobes off of that one. It’s so much easier to have an idea in mind for the type of style you’re going for, when you already have one killer outfit planned. From there, you can build key pieces for each family member’s outfit, that all tie back to the first one. Voila! You now have a completely coordinated family for your session! Which brings me to my next tip…

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#4[/su_dropcap] Color coordination: good. Matching outfits: not so good. 10ish years ago, matching was cute & fun. Today, it’s a little dated. Try and avoid having everyone in the family wearing the same colored top. If there’s a specific color you like and want in your family pictures, go with tip #3 instead, and use that one color as an accent, rather than a focal point.

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#5[/su_dropcap]Avoid fluorescent colors. Brights like orange, lime & even white sometimes, tend to create weird color casts on skin. If you really like one of these bright colors, go for something away from the face & other skin. Try a belt or boots!

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#6[/su_dropcap]Well fitting clothes are important. When clothes don’t fit, whether too large or small, it doesn’t just disappear on camera. It actually seems to magnify and highlight those areas in a picture. I know that purchasing clothes for kids, with room to grow, is the easiest route to go when shopping. For your session, make sure to purchase or use an outfit that fits your child’s size currently, and the same for yourself!

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#7[/su_dropcap] Adding character. Sometimes, kids have a shirt that they love to wear & cant get enough of, and you have no clue how you’re ever going to get rid of it without them noticing. Let them wear it for the session, or at least a part of the session! It’s really neat to hear from a child why they love something so much, and it could give your session a great storyline and more character!

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#8[/su_dropcap] Shoes. Nice looking shoes can go a long way in pictures. While the batman/superman/hello kitty/dora the explorer ones are really cute, they never seem to look right in photographs. Try coordinating your child’s shoes with what they’re wearing. 

[su_dropcap size=”4″]#9[/su_dropcap] Have a back up plan. Fall time in Michigan can be unreliable. It could be 70 degrees all week, and then one day, unexpectedly, it’s 10 degrees cooler. Have a second option planned in case this happens. It could be as simple as adding a jacket or sweater to the outfit. This way, if you’re prepared, you won’t be running around the house looking for something that coordinates, and you’ll be comfortable during your session and not chattering your teeth!

I like to use this image above as inspiration. It’s color coordinated. The outfits wont blend in with the background. There’s a few color pops. And I love children’s hoods with animal ears on them, so it’s a win in my book! Most of these items can be found at the following locations: Nordstrom, Michael Kors, J. Crew, The Gap, Alex & Ani.

I’ll be back for a Winter time inspiration post in late November!!