How to dress for Winter Family Photos
When it comes to family photography, it’s important to have everything planned out ahead of time, like layers of warm clothing in case the weather turns cold. Cold babies aren’t happy babies. Keep reading for my tips on what to wear for family pictures in the winter.
1 - BE YOURSELF
The most important thing to remember when getting ready for your photoshoot is that you need to feel good about what you are wearing. You don’t need to wear your best and most expensive outfit. You can wear a cute knit sweater with a pair of jeans. If you’re more of a dresser, go for that. The key to a great outfit is confidence. If you look good, you feel good.
2 - LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS!
Have I forgotten to mention layers?! I can’t stress this enough. Winter sessions can be magical, but they can also be very cold. Make sure you’re nice and comfortable before you head out for your shoot. If you’re worried about getting too hot during your session, just take off a layer! Layers are great for comfort as well as style! If you bring mittens, hats, and scarves, you can easily add or remove them throughout your session. This will allow you to have a wider range of images to choose from, and you’ll look like you had time to change your outfit! You know what I mean? Layers are just the best!
3 - BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES
When taking family photos, bring extra outfits for the kids. Spills, stains, and dirt often happen as children play between shots. A spare outfit prevents ruined pictures. In winter, a clothing change provides warmth after extended time in snow. Kids look miserable if wet and cold. Extra dry clothes keep them comfortable and ensure happy photos all day.
4 - CONSIDER COMPLEMENTING OVER MATCHING
Coordinate outfits instead of matching them, which can seem tacky. A better approach is to complement each other by wearing similar tones, which can elevate portraits and make them more visually pleasing. Subtle coordination through complementary colors creates cohesion without matching identically.
5 - STICK WITH NEUTRALS
When my clients ask me what colours to wear, I always recommend going for neutral or earth tones. Although a pop of colour is fun now and then, bright colours can be distracting and tend to bring attention away from the face. Neutrals and earth tones are more likely to keep the focus on you and will compliment your skin tone. These colours also look especially good with a nice, white, snowy winter background.
6 - HAVE FUN !
This is by far the most important step! Photoshoots can seem stressful if you're not used to being in front of a camera but don't you worry I'll make sure you feel comfortable the whole time. Think of me as an old friend behind the lens, there to chat, joke around, and capture fantastic photos while we have fun. My goal is for you to relish the experience as much as the beautiful portraits that come out of it !
