Every person has an individual taste in clothing, and that is what makes you, you! Yet when working with a group, it is essential to coordinate color tones and styles, from head to toe, for a more pleasing visual effect. This is true for any type of family sitting (formal, informal, or on-location).

When preparing for your family portrait, we suggest you place the clothing articles together side-by-side to get an idea of how they will appear in your portrait. If you notice one clothing article stands out in contrast with the others, you will also see it in your finished picture.

It is important to choose clothing that fits well and doesn’t distract from the subjects. Clothing should be clean and wrinkle free, as untidy clothing will show clearly in a photograph. Try to avoid sleeveless tops, tweeds, shiny material, and busy prints when possible.

Also think about your home decor colors where you will be displaying the portrait to continue the cohesive look.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the focus of any professional portrait should be the face—not the clothing or colors. That said, the right color tones can enhance your portrait by adding warmth and depth to the overall image.

For indoor portraits (High-Key background):
We recommend light tones such as whites, creams, or pastels. These work beautifully with bright studio settings and create a soft, timeless look.

For outdoor portraits (natural light):
Natural light pairs best with earth tones like greens, tans, beige, and browns, as well as other medium-depth colors. To avoid a washed-out look, we suggest steering clear of whites and very light pastels in outdoor settings.

If you’re unsure how to coordinate outfits, our portrait consultant is happy to help—just give us a call!

Yes. Let us know during your consultation prior to the session if you wish to have separate groups photographed. This will allow us to tailor the photo session to your needs and set time aside for the creation of each group portrait.

For the best results, we recommend that everyone in the portrait is dressed “head-to-toe” in the style you’ve chosen. Coordinating complete outfits gives our photographer greater flexibility when arranging the group and capturing a variety of poses.

The way your group is composed will depend on several factors, including the number of people, differences in height, and the colors being worn. Coordinated outfits help create a balanced, visually pleasing composition that ensures every person looks their best.

Need outfit guidance? Our portrait consultant is available to assist you with styling tips and suggestions.