Your Family Tree

I’ve spoken to other friends who’ve similarly panicked or not really had the time or mental head space to think through what a family photo shoot may involve. Booking the photographer feels like the main job but really, there is a lot more that can be done to ensure that the photos capture your family at their best and are photos you’ll look back on with pride and gratitude.

With this in mind, I approached two friends, Rachel Devine of Rachel Devine Photography/Sesame Ellis and Rebecca Jewell of Little Red Photography, both of whom are professional photographers based in Melbourne, who photograph their own and other people’s children regularly and have photographed our family or me (Bek took these photos of me for Missy Confidential last year).

I asked them to provide us with tips to ensure that we are prepared for our next shoot and have some idea of what to wear or avoid wearing. In the second part of this series, I’ll share some outfit ideas for the whole family.

Bek: Firstly I should say up front, that the main thing is to be comfortable. A family photo shoot should be a relaxed and happy event. Wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable will help you to ease into the shoot.

It’s not so much about what to avoid, but what works best for you and your surroundings.

For instance, if you are having a garden shoot, surrounded by lots of leafy green foliage, muted greens, browns and oranges will only aid in camouflaging you. If it’s a dreary, overcast day, you might want to re-consider wearing whites and greys and going for a pop of colour or contrast instead.

Contrast is your friend. Make sure you set yourself apart from your background.

Next, look to your skin tone. If you are about to pop on your favourite red winter knit, have a look in a mirror (in natural light if possible) and look for any colour reflections underneath your chin. Does the colour of your top give your skin an altered appearance? Does it make your normally rosy complexion more ruddy. Does that grey top make you look washed out, or does that rusted colour give your skin a sallow appearance?

Use colour & contrast to bring out the best in your features and skin tone. As I’m writing I just noticed a woman walk into the coffee shop with black jeans & a black top – nothing too fancy at all! But my attention was immediately drawn to her face and blue eyes by the lovely white scarf with little bluebird pattern.

In terms of what to avoid, the main thing I suggest people avoid wearing are any clothing with large logos or motifs/characters. These graphics, particularly logos and well known characters can really detract from the focal point – your lovely faces. Peoples eyes will naturally be drawn to those in the first instance.

Rachel: I think that people should avoid any overly branded clothing and outfits that are too casual. I want to see people looking comfortable in their portraits, but I also want to see them looking like the best versions of themselves. Tracksuits are hardly ever a good idea as wardrobe for a professional portrait.

For example, I think it is wonderful that my son loves Skylanders, but I would not dress him in his Skylanders branded hoodie for a professional portrait. That garish combination of colours and characters might make him happy right now, but it will not stand the test of time in a proper portrait. I certainly capture him in his favourite clothes in snapshots, but would select something more timeless and less distracting for a professional session.

What colours/prints (if any) and styles work best?

Rachel: I like to have a mix of fabrics for texture. Lace is beautiful for little girls or as an accent for a woman.