
Lets chat about styling your family session! I loved the neutral tones from this Creedmoor NC family session last Fall! Living in the Falls Lake area, I am not in want for beautiful woodsy backdrops. And while the green tones are a little tricky from a photography standpoint, the challenge is worth it! We elevated this set up with custom florals from https://www.instagram.com/abbielynn.dallin/. They seriously turned out so much prettier than I ever imagined. And my husband along with the help from a friend built me the A-frame out of a Cedar tree from our own woods! With styling help from https://www.instagram.com/jordan.taylor.bolt I was so excited for this session!

Sticking with woodsy neutrals, we chose a beige swiss dot dress for Mom. I highly recommend choosing Mom’s outfit first and styling the rest of the family around that piece. Once you’ve made that decision, it narrows down the options for the rest of the family, and gives you a nice structure. We chose tans, creams, greens and denim to coordinate colors and mix up textures. I will always recommend coordinating outfits vs matching. Matching outfits tend to be overwhelming to the eyes.
There are a couple different ways you can coordinate colors. The first is choosing complimentary colors. This means colors that are on opposite sides of a color wheel. Choosing your two opposites as your base and then mixing in neutrals is great! The other option is choosing colors within the same family, so colors next to each other on the color wheel and then adding in your neutrals.

The same principle applies to patterns and bright colors. If everyone in the photo is wearing patterns or super bright colors, it’s easy for it to be too much. Don’t get me wrong, I love a well placed pop of color or print. However, it needs to be intentional and controlled. If you are choosing a pattern, limit it to one or two people; and choose something simple. Whether your pattern is large or small, you want to avoid anything that’s super busy. Neutrals and solids are your best friends for breaking up the statement pieces.
I will also suggest avoiding colors that risk casting onto skintones, especially if you will be holding little ones. You don’t want your purple shirt turning baby’s skin purple. Or if you’re cuddling up to your best guy and he’s wearing bright red, your face will be that color. Soft, lighter tones and even dark deeper tones, don’t cast as strongly as the bright ones.

And have fun with textures! Like I mentioned we chose a swiss dot dress for some soft texture. Baby girl’s dress had some ruffles, which we paired with a thicker knit sock; and then we felt denim for the guys really fit the vibe. Knit sweaters or soft flowing skirts and dresses with lots of layers all add visual interest to your images without being distracting.

I should also add; it’s important to make sure you are comfortable in the outfits you choose. Some would even argue this truly is the most important thing. You need to be comfortable and you should feel fabulous. Family sessions often come with a lot of movement. Littles don’t like to sit still for too long, so being able to embrace the moment and the movement is a must. Feel free to test pieces out before choosing. Can Dad comfortably toss kids? Can Mom chase a run-away toddler? To put it bluntly, does everything stay put, where it’s supposed to? If the answer is yes, and you feel amazing than it’s probably a winner.

Other little details, that often get forgotten are shoes and socks. Make sure you have footwear that fits with the outfits you’re wearing and are comfortable to wear for the amount of session time. Ask your photographer if your session will involve walking between locations and consider bringing alternative footwear for the non-picture time. Socks shouldn’t be distracting, or they shouldn’t be seen. This is also something you should test out. Will your socks be seen if you sit down?
Feel free to wear jewelry, but check your wrists for hair ties, ladies (guilty as charged, right here), and consider leaving the athletic watches at home or in the car. Do your hair and make-up the way you like or for the special occasion consider having it done professionally. Side note, this is one of my little regrets from my wedding day. I looked lovely, but in hindsight, I wish I’d had a professional do my make-up.

And then lastly don’t forget to have fun! Having professional photos taken can feel overwhelming. Find a photographer who’s work you love and will communicate with you prior to your session. I want all of my clients to be excited for their sessions, and know that I am there for all the questions. I am not expecting you or your children to be a professional at getting your picture taken. Have questions about the location what colors would go well? Send me a message. Not sure if you like the dress you picked? Send me a pic! Seriously, I want you to love your images, and will answer any and all questions you may have about your session.

Take it from someone who knows; it’s okay to feel a little awkward, but also rock it out if you don’t. But feeling and looking your best will go a long way in helping you have fun with your photos and loving them on your wall for years to come.

Scroll through to see my favorites from this sweet family session! And let me know if there’s anything else you want to know about styling your family photos!



Thank you so much for checking out my blog! Your support means so much to me. If you are looking for updated family photos you can inquire here https://isabelmae.photo/contact/. I would love to chat with you!
Erika TaylorWow, these are stunning! <3 Gorgeous work for a lovely family.