What to Wear for your Next Family Portrait

With everyone’s busy schedules these days, it can be difficult to find the time to actually get everyone together for a family portrait. Then once you do, you realize that the whole event can take a lot more planning than you originally thought. Coordinating time, date and theme are a few of the most important things to agree upon, yes, but deciding what everyone will wear is extremely important as well. Luckily for you, it can also be a lot of fun.

Creativity can play a huge role in planning family portraits so I would suggest channeling that creativity to make deciding what to wear much easier.  Be aware of what your surroundings will be and play into them, making the overall look of the portrait cohesive and attractive, regardless of where you are. Additionally, you want to establish a theme early on; are you going for classic? Fun? What you decide could have a significant impact on your wardrobe.

Here are some general ideas for wardrobe based on the theme you’re looking to go with:

Outdoor Portraits

Beaches, parks and family yards are just a few of the places that make a unique background setting for a family portrait. When it comes to beach portraits, your background is going to consist of a lot of soothing and neutral colors, such as tan, white, blue and possibly green. With this in mind, and the fact that the beach is a naturally beautiful and calming environment, you’ll probably want to steer clear of loud, bright colors. Of course you want to make you and your family a focal point in the portrait, but you also don’t want to offset the balance either.

Classic Photos

The classic family photo style serves as one of the most traditional portrait types known today. The mere mention of a family portrait probably brings to mind a scene of smiling faces and impeccable posture. When it comes to planning for a portrait like this, deciding on a color that everyone will wear, such as white or black, can make all the difference when it comes to combining both unity and style together in one frame. Take the time to find a color that will complement each member of your family and keep in mind that you want your photo to look as timeless as possible.

 

Having a Little Fun

Sometimes however, you just get tired of the same old poses and you just want to have a little fun. Say your family is really into a particular sport or you’re all very into superheroes. On the day of your portrait, instead of everyone dressing in shades of blue, consider having everyone dress up in their favorite Red Sox player’s jersey for the photo, or get everyone their own superhero t-shirt and form your very own justice league.

Whatever wardrobe style you choose for your next family portrait, remember that it is always important to show off your family’s overall character and to enjoy each portrait for the unique memory it will add to your life.

Taking Some Photographs On The Beach

Wakefield, Massachusetts sits just west of the Broad Sound and some striking beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Because of its proximity to the ocean, people who live in the area have become immersed in beach life and living in an area where they have accessibility to such a beautiful and recreational area. Taking photographs on the beach is a great opportunity to capture that wonderful beauty with a great backdrop, but there are always some things to consider when I photograph an individual, family or couple.

Sometimes, a beach photograph might seem like it’s the same shot over and over. However, each photograph is a new chance to find new beauty and art. When you go to the beach, every place you turn there is a photographic opportunity. Try to find a focal point and shoot from a point of interest.  When someone looks at a photo, they need something for the eye to focus on, whether it’s a pattern in the sand or a wave crashing on the rocks, so I try to find something to start with in order to create a great shot.

A sunset on the beach is one of the most beautiful scenes we can conjure up. Timing is important   Maybe there was stormy weather earlier in the day. Stormy seas can create a really great, dramatic looking shot, and there will be less people on the beach as a distraction. 

though. The start and the end of the days when the sun is rising or setting is a great time to get a photograph, but it’s a small window of opportunity. It’s also the times when people are on the beach the least. Sometimes, the best times to go to the beach are the times when people avoid it.

Location photography is a great way to gather unique shots and end up with something different.  Heading to a beach or an ocean is one of the most beautiful locations where we can find a spectacular shot.