Family Portrait Tips for 2019

Updated: August 26, 2019

Family Portrait Tips

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are beginning to change colors which means we are in the beginning stages of Autumn.  Autumn is a busy time for many families and photographers because it's a beautiful time of year, especially in the Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland area for family pictures.  Many families use this time of year to not only capture the wonderful scenery, but also to photograph their beautiful families and use those portraits to share with friends and family on Christmas cards.

Although the final result of your portrait session is fun and mesmerizing, getting prepared can be extremely stressful and overwhelming.  One of the biggest stressors is "will my children behave during the portrait session" and the next thought is "what do we wear". 

I've found it better to plan outfits at least a week before the portrait session.  This allows additional time to make any changes prior to the session.  When selecting outfits for your session, look for clothing that coordinate with each other, and will not distract from your families faces.  Having too many colors and/or strong patterns may become a big distraction.  Also ensure you don't "matchy match".  When choosing outfits, you also want to keep in mind where the portraits will be taken. If you are going to be doing an outdoor portrait session in the hot sun, dress accordingly. You want to make sure that your clothing suits the environment. Ensure that you decide whether you want a casual or a dressier look. Your family portrait will look funny if one member of the family is in a suit while another is in shorts and a T-shirt.  Pinterest is a great location to gather ideas. 

- Dress comfortable for your session
- Select attire that is appropriate for the location
- Wear complimentary colors (for example see outfits below - from Janie and Jack)
- Hair/makeup (although it's not necessary, it will give you the additional confidence during your sessions)

Have fun this fall with your family and photograph beautiful memories you'll look back on ten or twenty years from now with a smile.

Do you have trouble determining what colors works best with each other.  Visit this link.  It is a trending fall colors palette for 2019.  If you would like to schedule a portrait session with Tamieka Smith Photography, visit the appointment or contact page.