What to Wear For Your Bay Area Family Photos
When it comes to booking a photo session, picking out outfits can feel like a daunting task. Whether it’s for your family photos, maternity, or even couples sessions, we are all faced with the same question: “What do we wear?” As a Bay Area family photographer, I’ve helped many families with choosing outfits for their photo sessions. I’d love to help you too! Keep scrolling, because this guide on what to wear for your photo session is going to come in handy.
Choose A Central Color Scheme
The first thing to do when choosing your Bay Area family photo outfits is to choose a central color palette and coordinate around that. If you’re wondering what color palette to go with, consider the location of your session. It’s a good idea to match your outfits with the kind of location you choose. For example, if you’re having a beach session, neutral and muted tones will do best. If you’re looking for photos in a woodsy area, then those earth tones would look great. Check out these color palettes on my Pinterest for some ideas!
Still not decided on your Bay Area family photo location? Check out my “Top East Bay Area Photography Locations For Family Photos“ or “Top San Francisco Family Photo Locations” for the best ideas!
Start With Parent’s Outfit & Coordinate Around That
To make things even easier, I suggest picking out your own outfit as the mother or father once you have decided on your color scheme. This will make choosing outfits that coordinate well much easier.
It’s important that you choose an outfit that you feel great in, because if you don’t like how you look, this will show in your photos. Once you have decided on your outfit and color scheme, you can easily coordinate everyone else in the family with your own.
Add in Textures & Patterns
When it comes to your Bay Area family photos, adding in textures and patterns can make all of the difference. This can help add depth and dimension to your overall look. Think waffle knits, denim, corduroy, etc.
When it comes to patterns, just be careful with how you mix your patterns. You don’t want to overdo it.
Add in Some Accessories to The Overall Look
Once you have your outfits down, it’s always fun to add in accessories. These may seem like such small details, but can truly add so much to your outfits and a touch of personality! Some cute earrings, hats, bracelets, or even detailed belts really do go a long way.
Just like with the patterns, you don’t want to overdo this either. Keep your accessories minimal with one to two pieces that make you feel great and complement your outfit.
Layer & Dress For The Weather
If you’re local to the Bay Area, you’ll know that the weather isn’t always predictable in terms of how warm it will be. It’s a great idea to layer your outfits so that you can add or remove clothing as necessary. If you’re cold, it will show in the photos, especially with young children.
I also recommend packing extra outfits just in case there are any spills or accidents along the way here or during our time together!
Make Sure Your Clothes Allow For Movement
My goal during our time together is to capture genuine interactions. While we will get some posed images, I believe in capturing those real and raw moments. Whether it’s running on the beach in your bare feet, playing hide and seek, or other fun activities, you can expect to be moving.
It’s important to wear clothing that allows you to move comfortably. Flowy clothing such as dresses and skirts are great for this. Materials that allow light to pass through can also add so much emotion to your photos!
What to Avoid
Now that we’ve covered how to choose the best outfits for you and your family, let’s dive into what you should avoid:
- I do not recommend choosing clothing with logos or graphics. This can be distracting and take away from the main focus of the image – your family and the beauty of the location you choose!
- It’s also best to avoid very small patterns or pinstripes as they can create a more effect in digital images.
- Overall, I would recommend choosing solid colors, and if you want to add in patterns, keep them minimal and choose larger patterns.
Most Importantly, Choose Clothing That You Are Comfortable In
Most importantly, choose clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in! When you wear clothes that make you feel like yourself, it will truly show throughout your photos. At the end of the day, it’s important to look back at these images and see everyone in their element. You can also find more color palette and outfit inspiration by heading over to my Pinterest!
Ready to Book Your Bay Area Family Photos, Maternity, Couples Session, or More?
My hope is that you’ve found this guide to choosing the perfect outfits for your session helpful! While it can feel like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be. You can follow these simple tips and, most importantly, stay true to you and your family when choosing your outfits.
Meet Laura – Your Bay Area Family Photographer
Hi! I’m Laura, a dedicated family photographer based in Berkeley, CA, capturing magical moments throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
My passion for photography has been a constant in my life, but it was the onset of the pandemic that propelled me to pursue my dream full-time. Spoiler alert: it was the best decision ever. Now, I have a thriving business that fills me with joy and allows me to document beautiful families all around the Bay.
As a mother, I understand the significance of preserving those fleeting moments. These photos transform into cherished family heirlooms, treasured by future generations. So, let’s create some unforgettable memories together!
If you’re considering a Bay Area family session or another type of session, I’d love to hear from you and capture your wonderful family. You can learn more about me here. If I seem like the ideal San Francisco Bay Area family photographer for you, then let’s connect!
