The Style Guide

One of my most commonly asked questions is “What should we wear or not wear for photos?” so I’m bringing you some more tips today!

1) Do your clothes fit you well?

I would love to tell you that I’ll be on the lookout for bra-straps peaking out, but when I’m working with kids, an adult’s clothing is rarely my priority. I’ll be far more focused on getting your kids to smile! So please don’t assume clothing mishaps can be edited out. Instead, wear clothes you won’t have to worry about adjusting. Then you can relax and enjoy photos fully!

Quick tip: If you’re putting your young daughter in a dress, I highly recommend putting shorts under the dress.

2) Is everyone dressed for the weather?

Shivering kids tend to be unhappy kids, and unhappy kids don’t photograph well. You can usually get a general weather forecast 10 days out, so even if the temperatures are unseasonably cold, try to layer up to avoid everyone looking cold! (And not all layers have to be visible - you can put 2 pairs of tights on your daughter or put a long sleeve shirt under your son’s sweater.) If you have an outdoor session in the morning, pay closer attention to the forecasted low than the forecasted high. And remember that mornings can be dewy, so shoes may get wet, depending on the location you’ve chosen.

3) Have you selected a color palette?

For a cohesive look in a group, I recommend choosing a general color palette (rather than identical outfits). I like to include at least 1 print (this usually ties the color palette together) and at least 1 texture (great for visual interest/depth). If you have multiple prints, consider picking ones that vary in size and style (ie- a larger plaid and a small floral).

Dresses photograph beautifully, and Amazon ships quickly…check out my list of Amazon dresses for mom if you need some ideas! I also love Altar’d State, Francesca’s and Baltic Born for dresses! Pants are great too, but I’m a sucker for dresses, personally.

4) Is anyone wearing bright red?

Bright red and super saturated pinks are known for casting a pinkish/reddish hue onto the nearest victim. Lifestyle photography is full of cuddly shots, so mom’s red sweater will make that precious toddler’s face look very…well, red. If your entire family shows up in red, I’ll never say a thing. But if you’re asking for tips…avoid red (at least the bright kind). Bright, saturated pink and most neons have a similar affect.

5) Any other thoughts on color?

I tend to love lightly colored neutrals! Just keep in mind that certain hues can wash out certain skin tones and hair colors (beigey-creams and melon tones, for instance).

If you’ll be in a very green environment (ie - many parks in the middle of summer), consider wearing a color other than green.

If your photo session takes place in-home, and you’re worried about your home having low natural light, consider wearing lighter colors (like white) that reflect light rather than darker colors (like black) that will only make your photos moodier. If moody is your vibe, then don’t worry about this one.

6. What about footwear?

Some men show up in dress pants with sneakers. If this is your vibe, then cool! But this is your reminder to consider everyone’s footwear, including the guys. And truly…I don’t care if you want to wear sneakers, go barefoot, or wear dressy footwear. Just give it some thought so it’s intentional.

7. Anything else?

Do your kids have temporary tattoos up and down their arms? If yes…do you WANT those in photos? If yes, then I’m totally fine with that! If not, try nail polish remover on a cotton ball…takes temporary tattoos off in an instant. I understand that nail polish remover isn’t a gentle skincare product, and you’re welcome to use whatever you’d like! But if you get desperate…

Now, if you’d like a little inspiration, here’s a family that totally nailed it!

When Should I Schedule Maternity Photos

This is a commonly asked question and a great one! My answer varies, so here are some things to consider:

1) Is this your first child?

If it’s your first time on this rodeo, your body will start to show later. When it’s your 2nd, 3rd… child, you’re likely to show much faster.

2) Is your goal to look super pregnant or to look as flattering as possible while still being visibly pregnant?

If you want to look back at these pictures and remember how big your belly got, you might consider scheduling a session during your 8th month of pregnancy (9th month is risky, because you could always go early). If you want to look more comfortable, you might consider scheduling a session for month 7 (or even month 6, with proper hand placement in photos).

3) What month are you due?

If you’re aiming for an outdoor session, and you’re due in early May, you may want to hold off as long as possible in hopes that you’ll get some blooming flowers in your photos! If you’re due in January, you may opt for an October session, because October is a beautiful month. If you’ll be taking photos at home or in a studio, you don’t need to worry about this!

Below, you’ll find my monthly bump pictures from my 1st and 2nd pregnancy. Just keep in mind that I’m 1 example and you may have a completely different experience! I hope this visualization helps though :)

Months 4 - 9 with my first child:

Months 4 - 9 with my 2nd child (had baby at 37 weeks!):

3 of my Favorite Lifestyle Poses for Families

I’ll be celebrating 5 years in business this year (wow wow WOW!), and I wanted to share a few of my favorite family poses/prompts!

1) Play telephone

I love this one for families with at least 2 kids, especially when the kids are a little older.

2) Run up and surprise mom & dad!

This is great for 1 or more kids who are reaching a playful and mischievous age. I tell them I have a job for them, and then I tell them we’re going to surprise mom and dad with a hug on the count of 3. I have the kids stand off to the side (opposite sides, if more than 1 kid), and I pose the parents sitting down. Then I tell the parents (with a wink to the kids) that this will be a picture of JUST mom and dad. I count to 3 slowly and then say GO!!! The kids usually want to do this a few times, even though it’s no longer a surprise. I think the key to this one is making it sound super fun and super silly when you present the idea to the kids. If 1 of the siblings is under 2 or just shy, you might have that child sit with mom & dad. And if you have slightly older kids, mention that they should surprise the parents with a gentle hug (not a tackle…)

3) Swing your child

This is ideal for families with just 1, younger child (1-2 years). If there’s another sibling, version 1 can still be done by having that child hold mom/dad’s other hand. (And they’ll typically also want a turn at swinging.)

Note: This is a pick-your-own-adventure for the parents. I offer up both of the pose options you see below, because not all parents feel comfortable swinging a child by the arms. I want the decision to be completely in their hands!