Many clients are unsure what clothes to pack for a photo session. Before every session I always send you basic recommendations on what to bring. Here I have decided to share a few tricks that might help you decide.
Sometimes it isn’t that easy... In studio photography a single colour and simplicity are desirable, and white and black make a great base, but outdoor sessions call for a little more inventiveness. The days when the height of fashion creativity was a family in striped T-shirts of different colours with various shades of blue jeans are long gone. Likewise, a uniform of matching single-colour polo shirts for every member of the family isn’t quite the thing either. Ideally, choose a few colours that run through the clothes of the whole family.
Option I
You can choose one more dominant colour and use it for all or just some members of the family. The other clothes can be in softer, more neutral tones. In the photos below the dominant colour is a deep pink, and the other clothes are in shades of brown or white.
Option II
Another option is to let one family member’s outfit stand out, while everyone else’s is much simpler. You can then build on the statement outfit – for example, the bright colours of mum’s or a daughter’s dress can be picked up in the clothes or accessories of the rest of the family.
Option III
A simple white option. I certainly don’t rule out white for outdoor sessions – in fact, it may well be my favourite. I just ask for a little more refinement. This is exactly the right time to bring out mum’s lace dress or skirt. Don’t be afraid of linen shirts in natural tones – they look wonderful!
In the studio I photograph barefoot; outdoors there is more variety, although bare feet in a summer meadow full of flowers don’t look bad at all. I definitely recommend comfortable shoes if we need to walk somewhere, and packing a nice pair that goes with your outfit as well. Don’t be afraid of colourful shoes – colourful trainers look great in photos – nor of elegant court shoes, sandals or boots. Surprisingly, wellies look fantastic on children.
The right accessories can really underline the style of your outfit. Well chosen, they can turn even ordinary clothes into a great outfit – whether it’s belts, scarves, ties, hats, headbands or umbrellas.
For little girls I keep adding to my collection of headbands with fabric flowers and hair decorations, but most of all I love using the accessories that grow all around us. Wreaths of rowan berries, wheat or meadow flowers have already adorned many a little fairy and her mum.
As for toys, rather than plastic and brightly coloured soft toys, I recommend bringing toys with a retro feel – for example a wooden train instead of a plastic car, a brown retro teddy bear or a wooden ball. But I am a mum myself, so I know how unpredictable children’s wishes can be – bring anything you know will put your little one in a good mood.
If there is a theme you would love your family session to have, don’t hesitate to tell me. Would you like to turn into fairies and dance in a meadow full of flowers? Why not! Do you love sunflowers or poppies? Then we will try to plan the session so that we hit the right time of year.
Babies are photographed asleep; settling them takes time, so the session lasts 3–5 hours (even a 6-hour session is not unusual). The room temperature is very important.
I most like to photograph babies in their parents’ arms. If you want photos of the baby on their own, I recommend waiting until at least 4–5 months.
Babies can lie on their tummy and lift their head, and they respond nicely to rattles. They will still be happiest in their parents’ arms.
Babies start to crawl and explore the world more; they can’t sit yet, so we need plenty of patience.
Babies can sit, respond nicely to what is going on, start pulling themselves up, but don’t run off anywhere yet. I warmly recommend a session at this age!
Children start to walk and will do everything they can to make us all break a sweat.
The “unguided missile” stage; outdoor sessions are especially suitable, as there is always something outside that catches their attention for a moment.
Children tend to be more reasonable and cooperate better; when photographing children’s portraits it is better if parents don’t step in too much or ask them to “smile”. Please, let’s try it without “Say cheese” and “Smile for the lady”.