“Help! We have family photos coming up and I have no idea what we should wear.” This has been a very popular text I’ve been receiving lately. With the change in season comes the fall family photoshoot and in talking to our busy customers, who are now juggling more than ever with virtual classrooms and offices at home, figuring out what to wear is the last thing anyone wants to deal with. Luckily, helping you with options for family pictures is one of our favorite things to do. Because I’ve had this conversation so many times this week, I thought I’d list out a few tips to help you get started.

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But first, my personal PSA: Please print your pictures! I know I’m guilty of having (tens of) thousands of photos somewhere on the cloud but take the time to print your pictures and display them in the house where they can be seen. Think about where in the house they might go and take into account how your colors will work.

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Now for the tips…

1) Coordinate colors and pick classic styles. Praise the Lord that the days of family photos in matching white shirts and jeans are over! Show your personality in your pictures. I suggest starting with one piece and building from there. The always-chic, personal stylist, Ali Hellmuth, recommends you…

“Start with a print or pattern that you love and then identify your favorite colors within it. Put one kiddo in the print/pattern and put the other kiddos in colors found within that print. This is a great way to showcase different personalities in a family while looking cohesive. If you’re not a fan of too much color, remember you can’t go wrong with dressing the kids in neutral tones. Jazz it up by using fun textures like tule, textured tights, wool, faux fur, felt, or leather. Muted clothing can sometimes help emphasize the emotion and love in a photo!”

We couldn’t agree more! Want the baby in a monogrammed bubble? Okay, let’s coordinate from there. Your four-year-old needs a twirly dress? No problem, here’s how we can outfit the rest of the family. My family takes fall pictures for our Christmas card, but because I’ll be hanging the pictures in the house, I don’t want to look at red and green Santa pants all year. I tend to stick to shades of blue. If my boys are in a busy plaid, I’ll wear solids; if they are in more neutral colors, I’ll wear a print.2) Capture your family at the moment you are in. If your daughter loves ballet, let her wear a ballerina sweater (or the whole tutu ensemble!), obsessed with dinos or dump trucks? We can monogram a cute polo with a t-rex or their favorite truck – or get pictures with them playing with their dolls or beloved train tracks. When you look back in years to come, you’ll want to be reminded of this phase of your life (maybe with the exception of 2020?!?)3) Make sure you dress them for their age – they are only little once. Dress them up and let them play!4) Include your fur babies when you can.5) And please, make sure the kids aren’t wearing ratty shoes!I know your family will be beautiful no matter how you choose to do photos. Here are a few ideas we worked on this week:      Now, if only I could get my three to smile while looking at the camera all at the same time!