Picking outfits for a family photo shoot doesn’t have to be a daunting task.  Today I’m sharing my tips to find the best family photo shoot fashion for Fall.  I’ve included some pictures of a recent family photo shoot we did with Saren Cassotto Photography.   If you are looking for newborn or family photography in Connecticut she really exceeded my expectations with the quality of her photos and her demeanor with the kids.

Family Photo Shoot Fashion

1. Avoid trendy items

Family photos are pictures you will hopefully look back at for years to come.   Bell sleeves and velvet camisoles have their place in your closet but I’d ditch them for family photos.   Don’t let the outfit overtake the emotions of the photos.   Hopefully when you look back on your family photos it will trigger “Oh, how precious!!  My giggling toddler, take me back”, not “oh my, what was she thinking wearing that sweater?”.

2. Build off of Mom’s outfit

In most cases mom is arranging the shoot, mom is planning the outfits, and realistically mom is the one deciding which photos get printed.   So the person (if not mom) coordinating the photoshoot should plan the outfits around what they’re wearing.  I know I feel most comfortable in basic neutrals.   Am I tooting my own horn to think I’m easy to plan around?  Some moms like bright colors or skirts – and their families should plan accordingly.   If mom is wearing a pink pencil skirt, perhaps her son could have a pink bow tie.   I think it looks best if the whole family sticks with formal or casual style, and choose based on what is your family’s norm.   Obviously my family is casual.

3. Stay consistent with color palettes

What does your family generally wear?   You want the style to look authentic to your crew.   Realistically my older son and husband wear gym shorts most days but I am setting some boundaries here.   We are a casual, denim-loving family.    Some families are a bit fancier and I always think it’s best to be true to your own style.   I chose denim looks so our pictures would look accurate to what we would wear to a normal occasion.  Since I wore all neutrals with blue denim and I’m a boy mom I added some blues to my crew.  My littlest man has such sparkling blue eyes in his blue button down and navy blazer.

4. Coordinate but don’t match

This builds off the tip above.  It’s always great to add texture to outfits.   That said, if someone is wearing plaid I wouldn’t suggest you all wear the same plaid shirt.  Have you seen the awkward family photo galleries?  That’s not where you want to end up.  There’s a coordinated family and then there’s a band of Canadian tuxedos.

5. Consider the background and location

If you’re at a Christmas tree farm think sweaters and plaids and if you’re at the beach perhaps gauzy, white attire.   Have an idea of where you’ll be shooting and what type of aesthetic you’re going for.   Make a Pinterest board of photos you like to share with your photographer so you have the same vision.

6. Don’t forget to groom

Settle on the outfits at least a week before the shoot so you aren’t stressed about it.   Don’t forget to set up haircuts for a week or so before the photoshoot.   Boys in particular will look sloppy if they haven’t had a haircut in while.   I have an “intentional root” at the moment and I’m guessing in 10 years I’m going to laugh that I thought that was a cute look.   It is budget friendly mom hair 🙂

 

SHOPPING FOR FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT OUTFITS

Of course I hit Nordstrom for most of our attire.    One stop shopping for this tired mama!!  I actually rarely shop in store – so it’s convenient that Nordstrom has great basics for me, my husband, and both boys.  If I bring my kids to the mall without my husband they hide from me in clothing racks or want to ride the escalators (in my arms) 100 times over.   No thanks!

So I’m sharing our outfits (or almost identical with some kids items tossed in) and little girl outfit ideas below if you want some shopping inspiration.   My husband’s items are the exact pieces listed below and fit true to size.  His suede boots look really sharp but slip on easily if your man is a lazy dresser like mine :).   Same goes for me in that my items fit true to size.  For reference my henley is size small, cardigan XS/S, jeans and booties true to size.

Family Photo Shoot Fashion Ideas for HIM:

Family Photo Shoot Fashion Ideas for HER:

Family Photo Shoot Fashion Ideas for LITTLE HIM:

Family Photo Shoot Fashion Ideas for LITTLE HER:

or

You can tell I’m a boy mom because I have one outfit idea for mom and two for a little girl.   I did feel like I was going to be missing out on some fun shopping opportunities when I found out I was having a second boy 🙂

I get a lot of questions about how I curl my hair.   These were 2nd day curls with a 1″ barrel and no hair spray involved.   I swear by my T3 wand!  I think it’s worth the investment because it takes me 10 minutes to curl my hair and the curls last 4 days!  This is my favorite dry shampoo to use between washes.  It’s unlike a powdery spray dry shampoo and adds a lot of texture to my flat hair.

Sorry for spamming you with SO MANY photos but I think it’s good to have ideas for poses you like in addition to outfit ideas.  A special thanks to Saren Cassotto Photography.  Saren was able to capture so many cute shots (you can see EVEN MORE photos she took of us here)  and really was such a natural with the kids.  I picked these photos from DOZENS she sent me.

If you are ever in a pinch for specific outfit ideas feel free to email or message me on Instagram and I’ll do my best to shoot you back some outfit ideas in a timely manner.  If you’re needing more Fall outfit ideas for women check out my SHOP MY INSTAGRAM PAGE  or follow my Fall outfit board on Pinterest.

As always, thank YOU for stopping by.  I really appreciate having you here.

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.