Family Session Sneak Peek - Lake Wylie, SC Family Photographer

I posted a few pictures on my facebook page from the fabulous family session that I photographed on Sunday (so check those out, if you haven't already) and I wanted to post a few more on the blog. Enjoy the sneak peek! I'll be posting more from this session in the near future....


Session Preparation: What to Wear, Family Edition

Your family session is booked, now what? It's time to find fabulous outfits for you and your family that will make you look and feel your best!

Here are 10 tips and some inspiration that I've put together to help you figure out what to wear for your upcoming family photo session.

1) Ladies, pick your outfit first! If you are the type of person who can walk into any store and immediately find something in your size that you love, then you can safely ignore this tip. But if you're like me and often struggle to find something that you think you look great in, then you should definitely start by choosing an outfit for yourself. This way you are not limited by the selections you've already made for the rest of your family.

2) Go for coordinating, instead of perfectly matching, outfits. Look for pieces that work together instead of trying to find the exact same color shirt for each member of your family. Check out these examples on my "What to Wear" inspiration board.

3) Put away those white shirts! Bringing in some color will make your photos stand out! Remember the color wheel? Check out this page for help with selecting harmonious colors. Think about using complimentary (opposites on the color wheel) or analogous (side by side on the color wheel) colors for your clothes and accessories.

4) Think about where you want to use and display your photos. If you have your heart set on using your photos in a red and white Christmas card template or are planning to hang a photo on the blue wall in your living room, then pick colors that will work well in those settings.

5) Avoid busy patterns and pieces with branding or words. Your son probably loves his "Thomas the Train" shirt, but how will it look hanging on the wall in your home for years to come?

6) Go for classic looks that will stand the test of time to keep your photos from looking dated.

7) Don't forget to accessorize! This is a great time to break out your funky jewelry or a gorgeous scarf. The details matter and those items can really be the glue that pulls an outfit together.

8) Clean up fingernails and freshen up your polish - take this opportunity to indulge in that mani/pedi you've been waiting for an excuse to have! Be sure to think of your nail color as an extension of your wardrobe and pick colors that work with your clothing. While the men in your family might not be picking out polish colors, they should also take the time to make sure their nails are clean and trimmed. If you're planning to go barefoot in some of your photos, don't forget to take care of your toes, too!

9) Layers are a great way to add style to your photos! Especially as the weather gets cooler, adding layers of color and different textures can be both practical and fun.

10) Above all, the best accessory you can have is confidence! Whatever styles and colors you pick, feeling like you look your best is what will make your photos phenomenal. Take the time to indulge a little and make this a special experience, and I can guarantee that you'll be happier with the end result.

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