• Facebook
  • Instagram

703-850-7212

Vienna, VA

Contact Me
Melissa Maillett Photography Melissa Maillett Photography
  • Headshots
    • Business Headshots
    • Branding
    • Corporate Teams
    • Actor Headshots
    • Video Add-ons
  • Branding
    • Video Add-Ons
  • Portraits
    • Family Portraits
    • Modern Womens’ Portraits
    • Seniors
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Clients
  • Headshots
    • Business Headshots
    • Branding
    • Corporate Teams
    • Actor Headshots
    • Video Add-ons
  • Branding
    • Video Add-Ons
  • Portraits
    • Family Portraits
    • Modern Womens’ Portraits
    • Seniors
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Clients
10 Tips for What to Wear for Family Portraits

10 Tips for What to Wear for Family Portraits

September 20, 2016 1:46 pm No Comments melissa_mm
Family Portraits In the Fall

Fall is finally here and families are starting to book their  holiday sessions.

This is one of my favorite times to photograph.  It’s a chance for families to come together to celebrate each other and being a family.  I love seeing their joy and love as they  take this opportunity to hug and enjoy each other.

This is also the time that I start to get the questions about what to wear for family portraits. While I believe this is a personal preference and don’t really like to dictate the look of a session, I can offer the following suggestions from experience about what I’ve seen that looks nice and has worked well for families:

Begin by thinking about what is the purpose of your portrait.

  • To update walls?
  • To announce an important life event?
  • Holiday cards?
  • To create gifts for extended family?

If the goal is to create art for your walls, think about how formal your home is, and match that style in your outfits. Naturally, people are most comfortable in comfortable clothes, but would that look right in a formal living room?

What colors do you love to decorate with? Earth-tones of brown, rust, gold, and cream? Bold pops of color on a neutral canvas?  Soft and pale tones (pastels)? Neutral tones of black, white, gray, and cream?

Which colors make you feel happy?

  • red, magenta, orange, yellow, yellow-green = energy, romance, and warmth
  • turquoise, green, blue, purple = cool, calm, tranquility, peace
  • black, gray, tan, brown, white = neutrals, foundation, classic

If your goal is for holiday cards, bright colors catch attention when they arrive in the mail, but avoid being simply the holiday red and green which may limit your opportunities to enjoy the images as year-round.

 

Here are a few simple tips:

  1. Avoid being too “matchy, matchy.”  It’s okay to look semi-coordinated but don’t all arrive to your session wearing identical blue polos unless that is how you want to remember each other. Your family portrait may depict a blue shirted monster with 5 heads if you all wear the same exact color.
  2. Keep your location in mind. If you are planning to photograph in peak foliage season season, deep reds, oranges and greens look great.  You may want to save your pastels and icy blues for summer or more urban locations. Blacks and whites, although they make a nice statement, do not necessarily complement autumn colors, but if you are at a location with a lot of brick or stone could look great!
  3. Denim or not? Decide if this casual or semi casual look is what you’re after. If not, decide what will be worn for pants/ skirts/ etc. Too much denim an be overwhelming.
  4. Select a favorite color family. It is okay to have blue be your theme, but combine lights (tints) and darks (shades) with your main color to create variety and contrast.
  5. Textures photographs well!  Choose a few items that will add texture: a scarf, vest, fun boots, jacket, a woven cardigan, etc. Layers are great. Rather than just a boy in a T-shirt, add a layer by wearing a button up shirt  over the top. Belts, jewelry, watches all add to the “texture” element.
  6. Shop in your closet. Before you go out and buy an all new wardrobe, gather from your closets some samples of the colors you are considering  and line them up on a bed or couch and see how they look together. When you blur your eyes do you see lights and darks? What pops out? Save money by using clothing you already own, with the addition perhaps a new piece or two. After you’ve done your line up, see what is lacking (ie. another dark shirt, a complementary color, etc.) If you want your portrait to be authentic- avoid buying clothes that you know your family would never wear “in real life.”
  7. It’s okay mix solids and simple patterns.  I know a lot of photographers might argue with me on this one, but I like to think that SIMPLE patterns add interest and texture to a picture.  Three of the men above have patterned, buttoned-down shirts, and it works just fine with the solid colors.  If you stick to a color scheme, everything just naturally blends together.
  8. Think of the rule “Three Colors and a Pop” (credit to Orange County photographer Meghan Owens for this phrase). Pick three colors, with one being a neutral, and add a “pop” of color. It usually works best when it’s a bright color on one of your littlest family member (think red scarf or purple boots).
  9. Colorful Accessories. Similar to the above tip, colorful accessories photograph best for all family members.  You want the focus to be on the faces more than the outfits. Similarly, a bright jacket or cardigan that can be put on or off works well!
  10. Watch the shoes. Even if they are your kids’ favorite shoes, character and light-up sneakers date a portrait. Even some of the “louder” sneakers can be distracting in a family portraits.

Think Timeless. Again, you want the focus on your faces, your emotions and your family. Not the outfits. Too styled a look can deter from the emotion that is displayed in the togetherness of your family.

So, that’s it!  Hopefully, the above tips will help you do a little advance planning for your family sessions to create beautiful family portraits. For even more ideas and tips, check out my Pinterest Board Family Portrait Outfit Ideas.

Family Portraits Fall Winter
Posted in: children, Family
« Previous
Next »


View all posts by melissa_mm

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

About Melissa

Melissa is headshot and portrait photographer, specializing in personal branding sessions for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. As your visual storytelling partner, Melissa helps you connect to your audience and grow your business. She also photographs high school seniors and lifestyle family sessions.

Contact Melissa

Add Life to Your Branding or Headshot Session with Video

You have been hearing from me say for a while that adding branding images to your marketing materials will up-level

This is Denise…Promoting Balance in a Digital World

As we are all navigating through the Coronavirus Pandemic this spring, I find this introduction of my recent branding client

Socially Distancing While Photographing

Spring has “sprung” in the DC area, but this spring is different than any of the past ones. It is

Camera-Shy? Preparing for Your Headshot

As an entrepreneur or a business owner, I’m sure you’ve been hearing this for a while now: You are the

What is A Personal Branding Session?

You may have heard the term “Personal Branding Session” while researching headshot photographers, or looking for some tips about to

What Kind of Headshot Do I need?h

three important reasons you need a great headshot In the business world, compelling offers, great marketing techniques, and polished websites

Why Summer Is Perfect for Family Portraits

It’s summer! The days are long, the nights are warm, the kids are relaxed – and maybe even the parents

This is Carolyn

Personal Branding Session with Carolyn Bagdoyan of Heart Tree Yoga

My 2018 in Review

For portrait photographers, it’s hard to wrap up the year before the year is over. I was taking family portraits

A Few Things I Learned About Women’s Conferences at the VA Women’s Business Conference

I was recently asked to photograph at the Virginia Women’s Business Conference at the Sheraton Tyson’s Corner Hotel. I’ve photographed many

Contact Me

info@melissamaillett.com

703-850-7212

Subscribe!

Download my free “Branding Photography” Checklist and start building your visual marketing materials today!

Branding Photography Checklist!

Let's Connect
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

mmaillettphoto

One of my few "models" that still looks great with One of my few "models" that still looks great with her hair matted, windblown and messy! #goldenretrieverlife⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#viennaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#melissamaillettphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#viennabusinessassociation⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novaheadshotphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiaphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novirginiaheadshots⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#brandingphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#brandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcbrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcfempreneur⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#vaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novirginiaphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#entrepreneur⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#lifestylebranding⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#creative⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#vabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novabrandphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#herhandshake
Women 50+ should we podcast? You BET! We have uniq Women 50+ should we podcast?
You BET! We have unique perspectives, stories and voices. Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter.
My oldest BFF and I have a podcast, Mixing Up Midlife where we encourage and discuss women over 50 to be brave, seek out adventures, and challenge ourselves. In our most recent podcast we talk about the why, when and how of OUR podcasting journies. I encourage anyone to take the leap into podcasting if it calls to you.
Check it out!
"The waiting is the hardest part...."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Waiting for my next headshot. I love each new chance I get to meet someone, make a connection, getting a great shot and  convincing them that getting a headshot really can be fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#entrepreneurlifestyle #hersuccess #ladybisslife #femaleentrepreneur #female businessowner #purposefulliving #NorthernVirginiaPhotographer #viennavaphotographer #corporatebranding #portraitphotography #melissamaillettphotography #corporateheadshots #nova #dcfempreneur #viennabusinessasaociation #womenownerbusiness #entrepreneurslife #vwbo #entrepreneurlifestyle #personalbranding #femalebusinessowner #solopreneur #purposefulliving #womenwhoinspire #femaleentrepreneur #womenwholead #northernvaheadshots #novirginiaphotographer #herhandshake
I was so happy to work with this interior designer I was so happy to work with this interior designer who was giving her website a reboot with new branding images. Shooting on location is always fun and her work is so elegant - I believe the images brought out her elegance as well! Her website is InspiredDesign.com. Go check it out!  #melissamaillettphotography, #viennavaphotographer, #viennabusinessassocitation, #interiordesignerlife, #mixingupmidlife,  #northernvabrandingphotographer
Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The white Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 The white of the snow below you makes a reflector and brightens up your face. Smooths out wrinkles and you gotta love natural light! In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and the lighting is pretty good even in midday (which I avoid in the spring and summer). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Second tip - this shot was actually taken with video, using my little Canon G7X on a tripod - and then bringing it into Final Cut Pro and exporting a still shot. But you can do this easily with your iphone as well. Take some video (it's feels more natural than holding an awkward smile while waiting for the self-timer) and then snap a screen shot during the point in the video that you like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So get out there in this cold winter and snap a few shots or video and play in the snow!
Branding sessions can happen anywhere! The client Branding sessions can happen anywhere!  The client for this session from back in the fall was for one of my subscription clients and she wanted to show some fun outdoor shots so we headed out to downtown Washington, DC for a fun session along the reflecting pool and the National mall. She is not a political but a digital wellness coach and speaker. But why not! Swipe to see bts of me during the session
Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't fee Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't feel natural!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But yes, even I can understand the value of putting my face forward and introducing myself. I have a business, I want to connect with people who I want to do business with - and who may want to work with me. What better way to make the introduction to business than showing my face!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Because I am so camera-shy and reluctant to get on the other side of my lens, I have challenged myself to do just that. And in doing it, I'll explore tips and tricks to help my clients not only feel more comfortable posing when I take your shots, but also to try do it yourself!  I will share my selfie-successes (and possibly failures) with you. I am much better with the pro camera, but I also know that the camera in your phone will be the more common tool. But be aware, this NOT your teenager's insta shot - this is about creating fun and quality images that can be used for your marketing and branding ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But who knows, maybe we will learn a few things from those "insta famous" crowd???
Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outs Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outside?

Think again! These shots were both taken this winter - in between bouts of wind and in a very brief time period (so we could keep noses warm and make sure eyes didn't water). 

A pro headshot photographer can make it quick and effortless - with a little preparation and some tips (I just wrote a blogpost on it, check out my website for the tips). Winter is often when you have more time on your hands, so if you need headshots, no need to wait for warmer weather! .
.
.
#viennaphotographer
#melissamaillettphotography
#viennabusinessassociation
#northernvirginiaphotography
#novirginiaheadshots
#brandingphotography
#brandingphotographer
#novabrandingphotographer
#dcphotographer
#dcbrandingphotographer
#dcfempreneur
#vaphotographer
#novirginiaphotography
#entrepreneur
#lifestylebranding
#creative
#northernvirginiabrandingphotographer
#vabrandingphotographer
#novabrandphotography
#herhandshake .
.
.
.
. #northernvirginiapbotographer, #northernvaphotographer, #capecodphotographer, #familyportaits, #siblingphotographer, #chathamphotographer
#melissamaillettphotography #viennaphotographer#viennava #viennabusinessassociation #virginiaphotographer #viennavaphotographer #viennavaphotography
Load More... Follow on Instagram
© 2021 Melissa Maillett Photography
Skip to content