I like to try and follow what I call the “Three Colors + POP” rule:
1. Pick three coordinating colors (one being a neutral) and put together outfits with those colors only. More than three colors can seem a bit busy. Here, they picked brown, navy blue (dark wash blue jeans), and a pop of pink. Neutrals include black, white, gray, khaki, etc.
2. Add in an unexpected POP of color. These girls pink hats fit the bill. Be aware that this POP will become a focal point in the picture, so I wouldn’t advise adding this color in an area that you don’t want others to look at too closely.
{I must make a disclaimer: RULES CAN BE BROKEN. I am preaching to myself here. However, I will say that these guidelines generally work well to produce a a cohesive, vibrant family portrait; a modern take on the whole “matching white shirts and blue jeans”, if you will.}
Other tips:
1. Think coordinating, not matching. Again, unless you want your family picture to look straight out of 1990, try to not match outfits exactly unless you are an adorable set of twins!
2. Try and pick colors that complement the surrounding environment. Navy blue and white are classic color choices for a beach session.
If you want to take this one step further (if you plan on displaying this picture in your home), try and choose colors that will compliment your home decor. My home is decorated with a lot of neutrals; thus, I would never pick neon colors for our outfits. Of course I’m exaggerating, but you get the point.
3. Use your brightest colors as accessories. You don’t want the brightest colors detracting from the most important part of the picture: the PEOPLE!
4. It is ok to 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. Dad has a 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.
5. Choose dark socks and footwear (unless it is a barefoot photo on the beach) because white just sticks out like a sore thumb and that's all you'll notice in your portrait!
6. If you have natural pairs in the family; mom and dad, brothers, sisters, mom and baby, try to splut up the colors as they will often be standing near each other. When someone has a baby, I know the mom will want to be holding the baby. The baby is the mom's pair and aim to not dress alike. Just make sure the natural pairs are not "matchy-matchy".
So, that’s it! Hopefully, the above tips will help you do a little advance planning for what to wear for family photoshoots to create a beautiful family portrait you can be proud of.
