Don't Be Afraid to Dress Up! | Chicago Children, Family and Baby Photographer
When I was growing up and not feeling super hot (whether it be a bad cold or high-school heartbreak), my mom always pushed a warm shower, hot rollers, and a little lipstick. As I begrudgingly applied my Maybelline at the time, I didn't realize that (once again) my mom was right. More than that, she revealed a secret to confidence and just plain feeling better. I recently read an article in the UK's Daily Mail about research that shows wearing specific clothing - like something as simple as superhero T-shirts - can cause people to feel more confident and even stronger. Maybe that's why my newly-potty-trained super-confident 3-year-old feels the need to throw off his shorts and show off his Batman undies!
I bring this up because what you wear in family pictures can not only affect your confidence during the session but can also enhance your pictures from an everyday snapshot to a piece of art on your wall. This is one reason why I prefer to book my sessions a month in advance so that there is plenty of time to consider clothing choices! For most, picking out clothes is the fun part! (Do I see a shopping spree in your future?!?)
This blog series will provide some of my favorite client style tips for the perfect family photography session!
Don't Be Afraid to Dress Up!
Have fun with this! I love Rent the Runway for fabulous frocks that don't require a huge monetary commitment. Dresses and skirts can be flattering for every body-type . Full-length dresses with lots of flow and movement (chiffon or tulle) can look amazing in photographs. Longer skirts and dresses definitely work better when you have little family members being photographed with you. I definitely recommend floor-length maxi dresses for expectant mothers because it can create a beautiful silhouette. Heels can make those legs look so long but can be a real pain trekking through the woods. So bring a pair of easy shoes to slip on and off and - I promise you - your feet will thank me!
You are welcome to bring more than one dress - maybe something exciting and fun - a "WOW" dress and then one a bit more casual. But if the just the idea of bringing two outfits while dealing with children causes you the slightest stress - one dress will do just fine!
Keep it light!
As for colors, I truly love a more muted palette. This will allow the focus to be on your family and interactions with each other and not the bold outfit. Think pinks, light blues, sophisticated neutrals like heather gray, cream, leather browns and whites. These colors look especially gorgeous against the backdrop of our dreary November - March Midwestern days. Who doesn't love a good pop of color? Just keep it to a few pieces or even layers that you can bring in and out of photos.
