When it comes to family portraits, what you and your loved ones wear is vital. If you are dreaming of romantic and timeless artwork without sacrificing color and vibrancy, you are going to want to consider what you’ll be wearing carefully. The artwork you end up with is directly impacted by what you wear. After all, if you love the way I edit, and the Seattle locations I photograph, but show up in dirty jeans and a t-shirt that has never fit quite right, I guarantee you won’t love the way the images look at the end. Coordinating colors and styles makes everyone look like they belong together, and you can set the mood, whether it’s a relaxed, casual look or something more formal. Make sure your outfit choices match the location and season – you want to be comfy and in tune with the weather. Seattle weather can be very unpredictable so please bring layers if you opt for an outdoor session. And don’t forget, classic styles and neutral colors never go out of fashion, ensuring your photos will stand the test of time. So, feel free to express yourselves through your clothing, and add some accessories for that extra oomph. Just remember, your family’s wardrobe is a fun way to show off your personality while creating timeless memories!
Here is a list of brands that I’ve used to inspire my photography style and encourage all my clients to at least reference when going through their own closet or shopping for clothing for their session. No one has to wear dresses, but you do need to pay attention to how fabric lays and whether or not your outfit has movement and layers.
I would also recommend visiting the following locations for your children’s clothing options:
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE OUTFIT STYLING IDEAS & SEASONAL SUGGESTIONS
Most stretchy shirts, dresses and/or leggings are too thin to be at all complementary to most bodies, particularly most postpartum bodies. I personally believe in comfort first – while nylon type fabric can feel easy to move in and very soft, it can also highlight underwear lines, be more sheer than you thought it was at home, and overall not provide the aesthetic you’re after. If you can, lean towards linen in the summer, natural cotton in the fall and spring, and wool for winter. If natural fabrics are out of budget or not available, opt for things that skim over your body, think of stiffer fabrics and lean towards a fit that is loose and allows for movement vs tight.
Undergarments are important to how your clothes fit. I recommend avoiding spanx or uncomfortable waist trainers, you’ll be miserable and uncomfortable doing more active poses or seated poses (I speak from experience y’all!) Selecting undergarments that fit correctly, neither too tight or too loose will help your clothing lay correctly and not highlight any insecurities or underwear lines. Seamless panties with tummy control are excellent options for postpartum moms still physically recovering from their birthing experience. Worried about chaffing? Opt for a long flowy dress and wear skin tone soft biker shorts underneath. If you see lines from it, a slip will hide these.
Use this link to find out what bra size you ACTUALLY are to ensure a proper fit.
I also highly recommend avoiding backless dresses unless you have the appropriate undergarments (think sticky bras with no back or going braless.)
If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably seen those videos that talk about “wearing clothes vs styling clothes” and this is where your wardrobe can go from blah to poised and interesting. Start with the base outfit, then add layers and texture. Check out some of the images below for inspiration for your family’s next photoshoot.
I love wardrobe options that fit a little loosely and have lovely movement but synch at the smallest part of your waist. This makes you appear interesting in an image and helps draw more attention to the natural beautiful curves of your body. This is especially forgiving on postpartum bodies that might still be recovering from baby. The most important thing to remember is that it should be comfortable and you should be able to relax in it. If it’s too tight, itchy or a color that’s so far outside your preference then it’s not right. Again, no one is expected or required to wear dresses if that’s not the vibe for your family in that effort I’ve included a few photos below of outfits you could wear instead of a dress that still creates the same pulled-together look and feel.