Styling A Family Photo Shoot
I’ve been taking pictures professionally on and off for nearly 10 years. One of my favorite things to do is style a family photo shoot.Blending patterns, colors, and even props can help highlight the people and the scenery in a really unique way.
Choosing colors and patterns that mix and blend can be a little tricky unless you know a few tips. Developing a color palette and theme for the photos can feel overwhelming. In this post I’ll tell you all my tricks and what I share with any client who has ever asked for my help when they style their photo shoot.
(Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. Meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Read about affiliate link usage here.)
Choose the Color Palette
I like to do a different color palette every time my family gets pictures taken. But gosh darn it, I always find myself gravitating toward neutrals! I think that’s because I know choosing a natural palette will compliment my home decor nicely if we get the photos enlarged. Not to mention the fact that my family looks great in neutral colors against our gorgeous Colorado backdrop.
So that’s my plan, neutral grays, greens and blues with a few pops of mauvey cream and a small touch of pink. It is winter after all and I think these colors will work beautifully with the mountain landscape.
How to mix patterns
Playing with patterns can be tricky. But I’ve found there is an easy way to blend and mix them into a wardrobe for a photo shoot.
The first and easiest way to add pops of pattern is with scarves. If you are nervous about pattern mixing, start with a scarf.
If you’re feeling more adventurous add these additional elements into your photo shoot palette.
- One bold pattern
- One delicate pattern
- Make sure your patterns are different. We’re doing one floral and one geometric pattern.
- The scarf can tie it all together, try a a simple stripe that has the right colors.
Style the Wardrobe Around the Bold Pattern
Typically I design an entire palette around the bold pattern. For our upcoming photo shoot, our daughter will be wearing a beautiful bold floral top and I styled the rest of the family to match her.
The next pattern is something more delicate, and it’s intentionally not the same type of pattern. My husband will be wearing a small geometric gingham button up. His blues and blacks are the same colors the rest of us are wearing.
The last pattern will be a scarf I’m wearing. It will tie it all together! Since the other two pattern elements are more stand alone, wearing something with colors that everyone has on is another way to make it cohesive.
Colors to Ground the Photos
It’s important to make sure the solid color elements work together to ground the entire photo shoot. My son and I are keeping our wardrobe elements super basic. Hunter green and denim will be the basis for what he and I wear.
Since we plan to be outside, weather permitting, on a sunny day in February, we’re adding some fun textures too. My husband will wear a down vest over his patterned shirt. Our daughter will wear a cozy gray duster with her floral. I’ll have on the scarf and our son will have have a black fleece vest over his henley. It’s Colorado after all and the name of the game is layers, layers, layers. Plus mixing fabric types adds visual interest and texture to our photos.
A Styled Family Photo Shoot
I was able to find a nearly identical set of wardrobe elements with the below links. There are a few variations but all in all I’ve curated these links to help if you find yourself needing some photo shoot styling inspiration.
- Boys/Mens Henley
- Women’s Denim Shirt
- Girls Dress or Peplum Top
- Womens Gray Sweater
- Mens Untucked Style Dress Shirt
- Mens Black Down Vest
- Women’s Green Skinnies
- Women’s Striped Scarf
Footwear
It wouldn’t be a Colorado photo shoot without a mountain backdrop and maybe even some snow on the ground. So to give the entire shoot a mountain vibe we’ll be wearing our outdoor footwear.
I’ll be wearing these Hunter Boots
My husband will wear his hiking boots, Garmont Hiking Boots
Our Daughter will wear her snow boots
Our teenage son will wear these super affordable snow/duck boots.
The Best Laid Plans
Of course this is all weather permitting and until I see everyone dressed nothing is final. But for now I love this plan and I can wait to get my family a little dressed up for some family photo shoot fun!
With hope for you and your intentional home,
