So you’ve booked your photo session and figured out your location. What’s left to do?
Figure out what the whole family is going to wear.
Here’s my advice:
1. Remember the Weather
There’s an old saying, “Texas has four seasons: drought, flood, blizzard, and twister.” Well – in Austin, we get hot and slightly less hot. So while I’d like to tell you to put on your cozy sweaters and layers for your Fall family photos – I don’t want you melting.
If you look at the average temperature chart for the year below:
If we have a morning Spring session booked, you may need another layer to your cute Spring dress, but by sunset, you can frolic in a field in bare sleeves and sandals and be fine.
And if we have a morning Fall session booked, those sweaters might be needed. But for a sunset session, you may want to bring in the Fall flavor with Autumn colors and textures rather than just layers. And you can always bring a scarf for a few shots, and then take it right back off if it’s too hot. So check the weather forecast and plan your outfits, accessories and layers accordingly.
2) Coordinate with your family
Pick out a color palette of 3-4 colors that each family member can wear some variation of. If you’d like more visuals, I have Pinterest boards:
You can all dress in neutrals or bright complimentary colors or earth tones – whatever you’re drawn to. Just avoid big logos, neon colors and distracting patterns.
If you want extra styling help, check out Austin’s Top 10 stylists (according to Yelp), or you can use online services such as Stitch Fix for the whole family or The Dopple just for Kids.
3) Make sure everything is clean and still fits
- Have your kids try on the whole outfit before your session to make sure it all still fits (including shoes) in case you need to buy the next size up.
- Wait to dress your kids until after they’ve eaten and brushed their teeth (I’ve photoshopped a lot of morning toothpaste off of kids shirts over the years)
- Moms – test to make sure you can play and sit on the ground easily in your outfit.
- Dads – make sure your phone and sunglasses are out of your pockets.
4) Is everyone comfortable?
YES
5) Do you feel confident?
YES
Hooray! Then you’re ready to have your pictures taken.
Stores I like:
- Boden / Mini boden
- Tea collection (kids only)
- eShakti (women only)
- J. Crew
- Zara
- Anthropologie
- Old Navy
- Target
- Modcloth
- H&M
- Amazon
- Rent the Runway (online rentals)