FAMILY & NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY
WHAT TO WEAR
First things first - whatever you want! Ideally, clothes that are comfortable enough to get up and down and muck around in, that make you feel like YOU, and don’t require too much faffing and rearranging. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe! A vague and general recommendation is dress like you’re going out for a nice lunch. But if snorkel and pj pants are more your toddler’s vibe, I’m totally here for that too.
Clothes that are comfortable enough to get up and down and not get in the way (e.g. avoid a very fragile fabric for a bushy setting).
Footwear that works for your session location. For outdoor sessions sturdy closed toe shoes, even in summer (grass seeds!). For indoor sessions generally very plain/neutral (and clean!!) socks are ideal.
Have baby feet out unless it’s freezing - they’re cute and it saves the constant sock hassle.
Avoid clothes that need fiddling with or that can get in the way, and anything uncomfortable. If you’d rather not have visible nappies you can get plain bloomers/nappy covers at Target etc.
A variety of tones, textures and colours works best (and is often the easiest to achieve!). What does this mean? A mix of light and dark colours, some different fabrics, maybe a bit of unexpected colour.
Avoid transition lenses (unless you don’t have an alternative!) - for family photos it isn’t possible to get a completely clear result.
Avoid big visible branding and fluoro, and thin high contrast stripes.
Think about how you’ll be moving in photographs (throwing kids in the air, having babies on your hip) - you might prefer a singlet under a flowy top for example.
Leave any electronics at home if possible (e.g. Smart watches, no phones in back pockets etc).
Some very gentle recommendations are
COLOUR PALETTE INSPO
Classic Neutrals
This is classic and easy to execute! Keep it interesting with a range of tones (lights and darks) and textures and don’t be afraid of a bit of pattern and colour. Careful not to have everyone turn into a giant blob of the same colour (especially with lots of navy/black).
Fabrics: chino, denim, linen, flannel, knit
Patterns: floral, tartan, plain
Palette: navy, pale blue, tan/brown, white, blush pink, olive green, dark plum
Colour riot
Don’t be afraid of colour! They photograph brilliantly (with the exception of fluoro) - especially pinks/reds against the deep green backgrounds of garden settings. Work in some textural variation and pattern if you like, and make bright tones sing by adding some ‘close’ colours and some splashes of complementary tones, as well as some neutrals to tie everything together (e.g. tans, denim, white, black, bluey greys).
If you have something bright you love but you’re stuck on how to style everyone else - send me a pic and I’ll send through some ideas.
Light & Bright
Easy breezy - think white, creams, tan, pale blue, dove greys, blush pink, sage green. This is also a great option in winter and creates beautiful contrast with dark backdrops.
If even the thought of this throws you into a tailspin, STOP. You all walk out of the house every day mostly clothed. Just do that. This is not a graded assessment! The photographs are not focussing on your perfectly curated wardrobe. They are not for Instagram or a Country Road catalogue - they are for you, and the people who love you.