I think everyone agrees that one of the best times of year for portraits is Fall! The outdoor scenery is great with colors changing and the cozy outfits are adorable and becoming. It’s just a great time to cuddle up with family to capture some beautiful photos. So maybe you’ve scheduled a photo session or you’re planning to, but now comes the hard part. WHAT DO WE WEAR?! It’s hard enough to choose an outfit for yourself, but to coordinate multiple outfits?? Yikes! Well, never fear. This post is here to help give you some helpful tips, suggestions, and inspiration to make your planning easier!
Colors
When thinking about your color scheme you want to consider the backdrop. In East Texas we live “behind the pine curtain” so there is an abundance of what color? GREEN. Even in the fall there is still a lot of green outside. Maybe you’ll remember this concept from art class: The Color Wheel. In the picture above, you'll notice the blues pop out really nicely from the yellows and oranges.
So when you’re thinking about the main color of your background (probably a good bit of green) you want to choose colors on the OPPOSITE end of the color wheel because those colors will make you stand out from the background. If you’re dressed in a color scheme on the opposite end of the color wheel from your background it’s going to ensure that YOU are the highlight and focus of the image. So this means that reds, rusty oranges, and burgundy shades are going to pop really nicely from a background that has a lot of green. You also can never go wrong with neutrals. If you feel like everyone is dressed in the same color, put someone in a neutral to break that up. (white, black, grey, beige)
Solids and Patterns
If you’re going to incorporate patterns into your wardrobe, consider choosing one family member or two at the most to wear a pattern and dress everyone else in solids. Patterns tend to confuse the eye and take focus away from the subjects of the image (your lovely family’s faces). Also, if more than one family member is in a pattern, make sure the two patterns are pretty similar. For instance you don’t want mom is a floral dress and dad in a plaid shirt; there’s too much going on there. It will make the image feel cluttered, and distract from the most important thing: YOU. It’s actually really cute when the youngest child is dressed in a print. Since they are typically the smallest person in the photo, it helps them stand out a bit more if they are in a plaid or other print while everyone else is in a cohesive variety of solids. Similarly, if you want the image to draw out one particular person (say it’s a present for mom) have mom dress in a print so she will stand out from the rest.
Layers and Textures
This piece of the puzzle could be one of the most important. If you get layers and textures right, it really sends the look over top! Try to incorporate layers for each person. When you add layers, you usually naturally add texture. For example, instead of brother wearing just a button down shirt and jeans, maybe he wears a sweater over the button down. Brother just went from two textures to three. Instead of sister wearing a solid burgundy dress with black tights and boots, maybe she wears a black denim skirt with black tights, a burgundy sweater, and boots. Sister just went from three textures to four. It can get really fun if you start including accessories like a leather jacket, a fur vest, or beanie hats, or scarves. This is something to play around with until it feels right to you. You can always bring accessories like this and take them in and out of the photo depending on the advice of your photographer.
Hopefully this gives you more empowerment to go plan that fall family wardrobe! Maybe you’re even excited about it now? We sure hope so! Also, we are always available to answer any questions you have! Feel free to comment below or just give us a call at the studio! 903-758-3900. We sure do hope we get to see you for a fall session and see what you’ve put together!
