It’s time for your annual family photo shoot! And I know what you are thinking: should we wear matching outfits? Santa hats? flannel shirts? The answer to all is: no. Unless that is your ultimate desire and then of course, by all means, you do you! But if you are unsure what route to go or what to wear, you’ve come to the right place.
We have been working for the past couple of years with Caitlyn Motycka Photography for our annual family photos and she has taught me so much about how to style both myself and my family for a holiday shoot.
Styling yourself in outfits that are classic and will last a lifetime will leave you with no regrets. Sure the Santa sweater is trendy and feels “Christmas-y.” But when you print that photo and hang it in your hallway, you may not enjoy it as much next summer.
Here are some tips from my own experience and a few straight from Caitlyn herself:
- When choosing outfits, think about color “families” and keeping everyone in one or the other: cool tones (blue and grey) OR warm tones (camel, sage green, blush, off white, etc).
- Busy prints tend to take away from the focus of the image and can create color casts on your skin that are difficult for the photographer to remove. So stick with solids or smaller prints.
- For holidays I know you are thinking deep reds and greens, but try to stick to neutrals as much as possible. Neutrals are great because when you print your images, they are are going to look better on your walls in all spaces and all rooms any time of year!
- Long flowy dresses photograph well as do both midi and high-low dresses. But if you are not a dress person, than wear what makes you feel comfortable! Light wash jeans pair well with a cozy knit.
- Textures also photograph really well – think lace, linen, cable knits, and layers.
- Think coordinating outfits not matching outfits. You do not have to match everyone’s outfits exactly! As much as your mother-in-law might be craving the white shirts and denim pants on the beach look (you know the one!) you will all look back in a few years and laugh at your decision. Instead, choose two people in the family to wear a color or pattern piece and then coordinate everyone else by adding neutral pieces to balance it out!
- My own insiders tip: Choose mom’s outfit first and coordinate around that. This might sound selfish but lets be honest, the kids and dad usually don’t care and its easier to pick men’s slacks and sweaters to coordinate around your perfect dress than it is to do the opposite.
What we wore this year:
Will: navy crewneck sweater // gray men’s chinos // suede shoes (similar more affordable version)
Me: And Other Stories midi dress sold out, (similar option here) // nude heels sold out (similar option here)
Bear and Liam: Liam’s skinny navy chinos // toddler overalls sold out (similar ones here) // boys’ henley shirts // Liam’s brown boots // Bear’s gray boots
At the end of the day, wear what feels right and feels comfortable for your family. Knowing these few tips has decreased my anxiety around family shoots. Getting me and Liam’s hair ready is another obstacle but at least this is one less!
Hopefully this was helpful for anyone wondering what to wear for photos this year. You will be surprised what you already have in your closet that you can piece together!
xx Priscilla
This post was not sponsored but thank you Caitlyn Motycka for your amazing advice and equally amazing photos as always!
