What to wear for family summer photos
As the sun gets stronger and the days get longer, summer is officially here! With kids out of school and more family time in the books, many families are booking their summer photos. I love this time of the year for photos because they inevitably come out so fun and bright. It’s always so fun to get outside and create memories with the kids and capture that to last forever. However, as beautiful as these photos might be, these really high temperatures- not so cute! So, how do you dress for comfort without risking the seamless look in your summer photos? I’ll share all my secrets!
Coordinate without “matching”
When choosing your outfits for family summer photos, there’s a lot that goes into it. From colors, to comfy, we want to make sure everything is good to go. I always recommend choosing a color scheme for the whole family that compliments everyone. The key here is “complimenting” each other, instead of “matching” each other. Most of the time, when families all wear the same color, it actually looks less natural and more posed. But when you go with a few colors that go well together, you get that cohesive, natural look that we all love.
Consider the location of our shoot. If you’re doing photos at the park, look for earthy tones- bright yellows, blues, or neutrals. If we’re meeting by the ocean, try light blues and greens to compliment the setting. Patterns can work really well here too if we keep it to a minimum. Allow 1-2 people in your family to wear a pattern like polka dots, floral, stripes, etc., and then keep everyone else with solid colors to keep the balance.
Dress for the weather
Especially for outdoor photos, we want to really take advantage of this perfect weather. That means you can break out the flowy dresses and comfy shoes. (I know, that's the best news ever, right!) I love ot have the families playing, running around, and just enjoying time together during our photoshoots. This allows for the really natural lifestyle photos to come to life. But, that isn’t very easy in heels and tight pants. Try to stick to lighter fabrics that don’t trap the heat in. Brighter colors also help to keep body temperatures lower.
While you definitely want to dress cooler for these hotter months, I rarely do sessions in the middle, the hottest part of the day. I like to book them for earlier in the morning or just before sunset. This ensures that it won’t be too hot but rather that perfect, breezy summer weather we’ve been longing for. These times also create the most beautiful lighting and backdrop for your photos: picture the pink/orange sun setting behind you and your family playing tag on the grass… yes, please!!
Timeless summer photos
When dressing for your family's summer photos, stick to patterns and colors that are timeless. We want to stay clear of fashion trends or movie logos as these will eventually become outdated. Sticking to classic looks with solid colors, and minimal accessories will ensure that your photos look just as good for years and years to come.
Keep it comfy
Most importantly, everyone should feel comfortable and confident in their outfits. We want their personalities to shine through. Restrictive clothing that could stop them from moving freely during the shoot could hinder their personality and just make it not fun for them. When everyone loves how they look and feel, the photos can focus on the connection shared between the family and that shines through perfectly.
Book your summer family photos
Summer family photos are a beautiful way to commemorate a season of life in your family. They are cherished for long after the day they are taken. Our top priority is to make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident during these sessions. With these tips, you’ll be able to feel relaxed and authentic because everything is set up for success in the beginning. I love doing summer photo shoots because its always so much fun to get outside with families and spend quality time together. If you’re looking to book your shoot for this year, click below!
