Family Photos: What to wear?

Clients frequently ask me for suggestions about what to wear for family pictures.

Here are a few guidelines, inspiration, and suggestions...

Be comfortable and happy!  Parents: no matter what your kids are doing, look happy and look at the camera!  Kids can get away with being stinkers in pictures... parents can't!  See example below...

Yep.  That's my family.

Wear clothes that fit you well.  Clothes that are too baggy or too tight do not look good in pictures.  Avoid turtleneck shirts/sweaters (not flattering in photos!!!).  Also, beware of skirts and shorts that are too short... you may have to sit on the ground or kneel, so be sure that clothes cover what should be covered even when you bend and move.

No uniforms!  Do not dress all the same!  You have a unique family, let it show!  Matching polo shirts don't work out very well for everyone... especially women.  

Colors... pick two neutrals (ie- gray, khaki, denim, brown, etc), add a color or two (three if you have a big group).  Black and white are both very stark colors, so use sparingly.

Patterns are okay, as long as they don't demand too much attention (your Hawaiian shirt probably won't work).  Stripes, plaids, polka dots, small floral patterns... these add interest and visual texture. 

Layers and accessories... YES!  Not only do you get more options visually, generally cardigans and jackets can be very flattering.  Hats are fun. Scarves, necklaces, earrings, tights... they add color and texture.

Whatever it takes, BE HAPPY!  If this means your daughter wears her hot pink tutu because that is the only thing that makes her happy, fine.  

Now for some inspiration...

Neutrals: light gray and dark gray.  Color: green.

Neutrals: navy and gray.  Colors: mustard and royal blue.

Neutrals: navy and gray.  Colors: pink (light and dark... awesome!) and blue.

 All neutrals: denim, white, tan, gray, white.  Texture: leather, jeans, fuzzy sweaters, crisp cotton shirts.

Neutrals: tan and denim.  Colors: pink with colorful plaid!

Neutrals: Denim and grey and tan.  Colors: green and pink and red... our kids picked their own outfits and had very strong opinions.  Whatever it takes!

No matter what, smile!

Baby Naveah, Columbus, Ohio newborn photography

Back in May I got to do a maternity session for my cousin's daughter.  It is a challenge to look great when you are weeks away from delivering a baby!  Crystal made it look easy!  

I love her classic, simple, perfect-fit outfit paired with sassy metallic boots.  She also added a black ribbon as a belt, which helped define her shape and add a little interest to a plain shirt.  She accessorized with a black necklace and bracelet.  And there was a pop of red on her lips and nails.

We took these pictures in Dublin, Ohio at Coffman Park.  I love the variety of landscape and the cool buildings there.  

And then Naveah was born!

 I love newborns!  They are so soft and sleepy and wonderful!  Naveah slept like a champ.

 Naveah was an angel for the whole session.

Here she is with her daddy.

Goodness, this was only two months ago, and now this little girl is getting chunky and changing so quickly.  Newborns are tiny for such a short time.  They grow and change so quickly (much to our delight and dismay)!  Capture those sweet moments and memories before it's too late.

Powell, Ohio: Engagement pictures on a cold day

I was asked to do some engagement pictures for a cute couple.  He is a med student at OSU.  She is from California and was here visiting her fiance for a few days... so we weren't very flexible on dates.  And the day for the photo session came and it was freezing cold outside!

 I don't know if you know any Californians, but they don't like cold.  (Honestly, I don't like it much either.)

 So outdoor locations were out of the question.  What to do?

 We headed up to Powell and shot in the local ice cream shop (which was quite empty due to the cold weather)...

And then we went next door to an antique shop.

They wished there was a way to register at an antique shop.  So many cool finds!

Browsing through the treasures and junk was just fun for all of us.

 My mom always said, "Desperation leads to inspiration."  Which is true!  With nowhere to go, an ice cream shop and antique store turned out to be brilliant locations.

Sweet.

Newborn Photography: Cora

I have been busy lately.  I had a baby!

This is our little Cora...

 I was so excited to do her newborn photos!  I waited until Cora was five days old (the best time is 3-12 days old).  For Cora's photos, I pulled out this gorgeous table runner that we got as a wedding gift almost 13 years ago.  The fabric is too pretty to use... for eating on... but it is just right for precious babies.  I have photographed all of our babies wrapped in this beautiful table runner.

Then I did some simple pictures... soft colors, swaddled baby...  

 The bow is pasted on with a tiny drop of corn syrup (it comes right off with a few drops of warm water).

I have an antique dough bowl that I bought for taking baby pictures.  The bowl is huge and solid and weathered to perfection.  I filled the bowl with shredded paper from a gift basket.  It makes a lovely nest.

This is my favorite picture... Cora has really happy dreams.

Really... she smiles in her sleep all the time.

 This was my most perfect baby photo shoot ever... Cora didn't pee on anything.  And she slept through it all.

Then our older girls came home from school...

All done.  :)