The Style Guide

One of my most commonly asked questions is “What should we wear or not wear for photos?” Here are my tips!

1) Start with Mom!

I know it can be tempting to jump right in and select kids’ clothing first, but I never want a mom’s outfit to be an afterthought. Kids looks great in everything. It’s us moms who tend to be self conscious and only prefer certain garments. So just like on an airplane when you’re told to get your mask on first before helping those around you…I want you to pick YOUR outfit first. THEN pick the outfits for everyone else.

2) Select a Color Palette

For a cohesive look in a group, I recommend choosing a general color palette rather than identical outfits. For example, perhaps you dress everyone in a color palette of blues and neutrals.

I like to include at least 1 print; this helps tie the color palette together. If you have multiple prints, I recommend selecting prints that vary in style and scale/size (ie- a larger plaid and a small floral). When mixing prints, I also recommend using prints that have a different base color.

If possible, consider mixing in a garment that has some texture (like waffle or knit). This adds in some visual interest and complexity without overhwhelming the color scheme.

3) Make Sure Clothes Fit Well

The clothes that give us confidence are the ones that fit us well. And no one wants to be worrying about whether their dress is long enough or their bra straps are showing. So do yourself a favor and make sure everything fits well without needing constant adjustments. Then you can relax and enjoy photos fully!

This applies to kids too! If you’re putting your young daughter in a dress, I highly recommend putting shorts under the dress. If you’re dressing your baby in overalls…make sure they’re the right size so they’re not swimming in them.

When you’re dressing young kids, consider what their outfits look like when you’re holding them. Here are some things to consider:

-Babies in vests (the vest will pop up and cover their face when the baby is being held)

-Babies/toddlers in ruffle sleeve dresses/shirts (the ruffles sometimes cover their faces when they’re being held at an angle)

-Girls in mini skirts/dresses (these pop up and look odd when the child is being carried)

-Babies/toddlers in overalls (these rarely fit well, and tend to pop up and need adjustment when the child is picked up)

4) Dress for the Weather

Shivering kids tend to be unhappy kids, and unhappy kids don’t photograph well. You can usually get a general weather forecast 10 days out, so even if the temperatures are unseasonably cold, try to layer up to avoid everyone looking cold! (And not all layers have to be visible - you can put 2 pairs of tights on your daughter or put a long sleeve shirt under your son’s sweater.) If you have an outdoor session in the morning, pay closer attention to the forecasted low than the forecasted high. And remember that mornings can be dewy, so shoes may get wet, depending on the location you’ve chosen.

5) Avoid Red

Bright red and super saturated pinks are known for casting a pinkish/reddish hue onto the nearest victim. Lifestyle photography is full of cuddly shots, so mom’s red sweater will make that precious toddler’s face look very…well, red. If your entire family shows up in red, I’ll never say a thing. But if you’re asking for tips…avoid red (at least the bright kind). Bright, saturated pink and most neons have a similar affect.

6) Additional Thoughts on Color

I tend to love lightly colored neutrals! Just keep in mind that certain hues can wash out certain skin tones and hair colors (beigey-creams and melon tones, for instance).

If you’ll be in a very green environment (ie - many parks in the middle of summer), consider wearing a color other than green.

If your photo session takes place in-home, and you’re worried about your home having low natural light, consider wearing lighter colors (like white) that reflect light rather than darker colors (like black) that will only make your photos moodier. If moody is your vibe, then don’t worry about this one.

7) Don’t Forget Footwear

Some men show up in dress pants with sneakers. If this is your vibe, then cool! But this is your reminder to consider everyone’s footwear, including the guys. And truly…I don’t care if you want to wear sneakers, go barefoot, or wear dressy footwear. Just give it some thought so it’s intentional.

8) Temporary Tattoos

Do your kids have temporary tattoos up and down their arms? If yes…do you WANT those in photos? If yes, then I’m totally fine with that! If not, try nail polish remover on a cotton ball…takes temporary tattoos off in an instant. I understand that nail polish remover isn’t a gentle skincare product, and you’re welcome to use whatever you’d like! But if you get desperate…

9) Text Your Photographer!

My clients are always welcome to send me pictures, if they want a second opinion on outfits!

Now, if you’d like a little inspiration, here’s a family that totally nailed it!

When Should I Schedule Maternity Photos

This is a commonly asked question and a great one! My answer varies, so here are some things to consider:

1) Is this your first child?

If it’s your first time on this rodeo, your body will start to show later. When it’s your 2nd, 3rd… child, you’re likely to show much faster.

2) Is your goal to look super pregnant or to look as flattering as possible while still being visibly pregnant?

If you want to look back at these pictures and remember how big your belly got, you might consider scheduling a session during your 8th month of pregnancy (9th month is risky, because you could always go early). If you want to look more comfortable, you might consider scheduling a session for month 7 (or even month 6, with proper hand placement in photos).

3) What month are you due?

If you’re aiming for an outdoor session, and you’re due in early May, you may want to hold off as long as possible in hopes that you’ll get some blooming flowers in your photos! If you’re due in January, you may opt for an October session, because October is a beautiful month. If you’ll be taking photos at home or in a studio, you don’t need to worry about this!

Below, you’ll find my monthly bump pictures from my 1st and 2nd pregnancy. Just keep in mind that I’m 1 example and you may have a completely different experience! I hope this visualization helps though :)

Months 4 - 9 with my first child:

Months 4 - 9 with my 2nd child (had baby at 37 weeks!):

3 of my Favorite Lifestyle Poses for Families

I’ll be celebrating 5 years in business this year (wow wow WOW!), and I wanted to share a few of my favorite family poses/prompts!

1) Play telephone

I love this one for families with at least 2 kids, especially when the kids are a little older.

2) Run up and surprise mom & dad!

This is great for 1 or more kids who are reaching a playful and mischievous age. I tell them I have a job for them, and then I tell them we’re going to surprise mom and dad with a hug on the count of 3. I have the kids stand off to the side (opposite sides, if more than 1 kid), and I pose the parents sitting down. Then I tell the parents (with a wink to the kids) that this will be a picture of JUST mom and dad. I count to 3 slowly and then say GO!!! The kids usually want to do this a few times, even though it’s no longer a surprise. I think the key to this one is making it sound super fun and super silly when you present the idea to the kids. If 1 of the siblings is under 2 or just shy, you might have that child sit with mom & dad. And if you have slightly older kids, mention that they should surprise the parents with a gentle hug (not a tackle…)

3) Swing your child

This is ideal for families with just 1, younger child (1-2 years). If there’s another sibling, version 1 can still be done by having that child hold mom/dad’s other hand. (And they’ll typically also want a turn at swinging.)

Note: This is a pick-your-own-adventure for the parents. I offer up both of the pose options you see below, because not all parents feel comfortable swinging a child by the arms. I want the decision to be completely in their hands!