Family portrait style guide – What to wear?

Many people booking a portrait session ask the very same question – What do we wear? These handy hints for a better portrait session should give you some ideas on how to get your portrait style guide right for your family portrait.

Rule Number 1 – The unbroken rule

The number 1 rule when preparing for a portrait is to ensure everyone is comfortable in what they are wearing, or they will not enjoy the session. Here are some handy hints on what to wear are below. (This portrait style guide has been prepared by a professional photographer who has photographed over 1000 portraits in a 15+year career behind the camera.)

Hint number 1. When choosing appropriate clothing for your portraits consider that clothing should compliment and not dominate the portrait. To prevent overpowering the people in the portrait bold patterns, stripes and distinctive logos should be avoided. Solid colours, subtle prints and classic casual clothing are always complimentary.

Hint number 2. For a visual balance for a family portrait it is better to have everyone dressed in the same tones or colour themes. For example having everyone dressed in light or all in dark or all neutral tones.This does not necessarily mean that everyone must have matching outfits, rather dressed in clothing that has similar tonal range. Following this as a guideline will provide more pleasing and visually balanced portrait, where no individual family member will stand out.

Hint number 3. The next steps are deciding on a colour theme either lights, darks or neutrals and whether everyone will dress formally, semi-formal or casually. Remembering again that everyone needs to feel comfortable.

Once you have booked a portrait session,  we will send you out a comprehensive guide (or you can download it here) on  what to wear including appropriate colour themes, styles, makeup, glasses and props.

Dressed to impress at the beach