It is the question that every single client asks. I always tell them to consider clothes that they feel comfortable in. Colors that others have complimented them on or may bring out their eyes. Or that adorable outfit and/or color you just love on your child.

Let’s first look at what does not work…

• Matchy/ Matchy and mini-me’s…… Have each person be there own individual and think to have clothing that compliments each other.
• White shirts and jeans
• Mixing patterns……. One person in stripes does not compliment another in plaid.
• Different bottoms….. this might be a personal preference but I don’t think having someone in jeans photographs well with someone in khakis. Try to keep the bottoms the same material but feel free to mix it up…. a girl in a jean skirt with dad in jeans, or material skirts with khaki pants.
• Large logos, images on shirts, big patterns can be a huge distraction and become the main focus. Not your beautiful family.
• Black. Black is a very “formal” “dressy” color. Consider your location and if you’re going to put one person in a formal and dressy color, please have everyone be formal and dressy.
• Big headpieces – Think small, appropriately size to the person, delicate designs. Same goes for jewelry.
• Mixing sleeve length. Long sleeves on one with a tank top on another may be confusing as to what season it is. Long sleeves with long sleeves. Short sleeves with short sleeves or tank tops. When considering a tank top, ask yourself if you like your upper arms first.

Consider your location

For the example below: Pond (blues), grass (greens) sun (yellow/orange)…… cream was a great choice. Doesn’t distract from the setting or the family.

Great example below of keeping the sleeve length the same.

Patterns

If you’d like to use a pattern, pick one article/person to build off of……

Below is a great choice of a non-distracting pattern pulling it together with a solid colored top

Age

Consider the age of your children. Throwing in a little pattern to show fun/ young works well with this image below. Something like that on dad would not of worked. I do think the mix of a gray material with the khaki bottoms worked in this arrangement and location.

Tones

The reason why I think this works is the colors are the same tones. Having the husband in bright red and jeans would not have complimented the wife in her stripes and soft colors

Designs

Small, simple design. Not too distracting or big. Very cute and appropriate for age. And used for individual shots only.