You don’t have to match outfits when you come in for a family portrait, but coordinating on tone, style or colour really helps to tie the finished image together.
This family went for the classic white tops and blue jeans look, and it’s a classic for a reason. It’s simple, it works, and it doesn’t date. I’d recommend avoiding anything heavily patterned or with large logos – those things tend to draw the eye and can make the images feel more tied to a particular moment in time than you’d want.
On that note, I’d also generally recommend long sleeves. The human eye naturally searches for skin tones in an image, and bare arms can pull focus away from faces and expressions. That sounds a bit Victorian written down – I’m not suggesting you arrive head to toe in tweed – but it genuinely is just about keeping the focus where it matters.
When it comes to posing, we’ll usually work through a variety of set-ups from standing to sitting, and occasionally lying down, so it’s also worth wearing something long enough that you can sit comfortably without worrying about what you’re revealing. Yes, that also sounds Victorian. It’s just practical.
Shoes come off in the studio as a rule, so you can go with socks or bare feet – entirely up to you. And if you need an excuse for a pedicure or a manicure before you come in, feel free to use this as one. Your hands will definitely be in the photos.
