The session fee is paid, the portrait agreement signed, and

you’re excited about your upcoming session. But then . . .

the dreaded question arises: “What on earth are we going

to wear?” Undoubtedly you know the basic portrait rules:

that you can’t go wrong with solid colors, that you probably

don’t want 40 photos of Aaron in his day-glo Lightning

McQueen tee shirt (maybe a few, though, since he loves it

so much?), and that a huge bow on Violet’s head might so much?), and that a huge bow on Violet’s head might

draw a bit too much attention away from her sparkling hazel

eyes. But where to go from there? And what traditional

portrait wardrobe rules are meant to be bent, if not broken

entirely? And what about dressing the entire family? Worry

no more--that’s where this guide enters the, ahem, picture.

So sit back, enjoy a little light reading, and get inspired! The

result will be fresh, classic yet distinctly modern portraits that result will be fresh, classic yet distinctly modern portraits that

tell the story of your family.

The simplest wardrobe choice for your maternity session

is . . . none at all! Moms-to-be are often stunned at the

elegant images that result from creative posing and

camera angles that show “just enough.” If you’re not

inclined to bare all, there are many options that result in

the gorgeous bare belly shots everyone wants. Try a

fitted tank top and low-waisted yoga pants (black looks

especially sleek). The “fitted” part for any wardrobe especially sleek). The “fitted” part for any wardrobe

choice is key. A few fun shots with hip tees with clever

proclamations on them are always nice as well! Be sure

to keep tightly-fitted elastic waistbands and socks far far

away for a few hours before your shoot so that we avoid

indentations in your skin. Wristwatches are also best left

off for the session.

For newborn sessions, two key wardrobe questions signifi-

cantly affect your resulting images. First, what will the baby

wear? And second, what will we wear? That’s right, mom

and dad . . . you’ll be in some of the photos as well, even if

just as a “backdrop” to the star of the show.

Newborns are absolute perfection when they wear nothing

at all! For variety and some fun pops of color, I also like to

use the swaddling blankets you have at home--that also

gives the images a personal touch.

There are few things as stunning as skin-on-skin shots of a There are few things as stunning as skin-on-skin shots of a

newborn and the proud parents. Dad can be shirtless for

some shots, as can Mom, or she could wear a strapless bra

or tank top. Images for this type of shot are generally

closely cropped. Also, long-sleeved black shirts for Mom

and Dad provide a sophisticated, dramatic “backdrop.”

A wildly-patterned pair of cargo pants and a hipster tee. Her

funky hot pink tutu and cowboy boots. His “superhero”

cape. Individual shots give your child a chance to show his

or her personality through fashion like no other. Without the

concern of clashing or competing patterns that exists in a

family shot, the possibilities are limitless! So break out your

daughter’s bright, crazy Oilily ensemble--the one that gives

your Strasburg-loving mother-in-law fits--or your son’s your Strasburg-loving mother-in-law fits--or your son’s

beloved rain boots, and let’s capture something bold, mem-

orable, and no-holds-barred fun!

Wardrobe choices for sibling shots, like those for family

images, should be complementary but far from “a matching

uniform.” A tried and true formula for a boy/girl sibling duo

includes a patterned dress or skirt for the girl, with the boy in

a solid shirt pulled from that pattern. If the little girl is

wearing a solid shirt with a patterned skirt, have the boy’s

top match a different color in her skirt, so that their shirts

don’t match precisely. Trust me, it works! While many don’t match precisely. Trust me, it works! While many

parents have the urge to put their boys or girls in the exact

same outfit, mixing it up a bit--while still creating a pleasing

overall combination--creates a considerably more interest-

ing color palette and image.

Flowing white shirts and khakis on the beach. Navy polos

and yet more khakis all around. We’ve all seen those pho-

tos--heck, most of us have been in those photos. But did

you know that coordinated but not “uniform” looks for

families create a much more pleasing photograph?

Moreover, it is not nearly as difficult as you think it is! The

cardinal rule of family dressing for portraits is simple: choose

items for the entire family as if you were creating one outfit. items for the entire family as if you were creating one outfit.

If all of your choices were somehow on one person, would

the result be pleasing, colorwise? A handy trick for those

who are hesitant to break away from the monochrome

madness is to choose one patterned item (for example a

print dress for your daughter) and then select the rest of the

family’s clothing from colors within that pattern.

Now that you know some basic tips for various types of

sessions, how do you put it all together? A good place to

start is by defining the style sensibility you want your session

to reflect. Do you want to capture your typical style, or

perhaps a more formal or casual version of that? Look at

the furniture around your home, or notice the magazine

spreads to which you are drawn. Chances are that these

preferences have everything to do with your clothing style preferences have everything to do with your clothing style

and can point you in the right direction for your session

wardrobe choices.

What follows are a few common styles; while by no means

all-inclusive, they should get those wheels turning! Finally,

you’ll find an extensive collection of web resources at the

end of this guide. Happy shopping!

Is your home a mixture of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and

Pottery Barn? Refined but never stuffy, modern classic style

is not quite traditional, not quite trendy, and “just right” for

many. Streamlined looks from Gap, Ann Taylor, Banana

Republic, and Burberry are perfect for this look. For those

who want modern classic but with a smidge of romantic

whimsy or British flair, try Anthropologie for her and Thomas

Pink for him. You’ll find loads of smart classics for the little Pink for him. You’ll find loads of smart classics for the little

ones at Janie and Jack (Gymboree’s more refined big

brother), J. Crew’s Crewcuts, Land’s End, and Lilly Pulitzer.

Are you more Terence Conran with a dash of Jonathan

Adler than Restoration Hardware? If so, you’ll undoubtedly

love trendy, European labels like Deux par Deux, Le

Fromage et L’orange, Room Seven, and Oilily. The bold,

colorful prints of these French and Dutch labels scream fun,

whimsical childhood. For those of us desiring more subtle

but nevertheless cutting-edge looks, Mini Boden and Tea

Collection are complete perfection. Mom and Dad will also Collection are complete perfection. Mom and Dad will also

love (not-so-Mini) Boden, which offers hip yet refined style

with an undeniably British sense of humor.

Though my particular style of photography--which focuses

more on lifestyle images than elaborately posed captures-

-lends itself less to ultra-traditional wear, sometimes clients

will want slightly more formal clothing for their session. I par-

ticularly love the retro-sweet styles of Olive Juice Kids and

Pears and Bears; they are traditional, yet updated and fresh

looks. For the ultimate in luxurious old European (as

opposed to funky European!) styles, try Flora and Henri and

Papo d’Anjo. You won’t be disappointed with their impec-

cable, classic choices. For mom and dad, try Brooks

Brothers (for both), Talbots (for both but more commonly for

her), and Hickey Freeman (for him).

The short list . . . best modern classic . . . http://www.janieandjack.combest modern trendy . . . http://www.bodenusa.combest Euro style . . . http://www.achildscloset.com/best traditional . . . http://www.olivejuicekids.com

modern classic http://www.hannaandersson.comhttp://www.hannaandersson.comhttp://www.gapkids.comhttp://www.oldnavy.comhttp://www.talbots.comhttp://www.gymboree.comhttp://www.jcrew.com/crewcuts_home.jhtmlhttp://www.janieandjack.com/index.jsphttp://www.lillypulitzer.com/http://www.lillypulitzer.com/

modern trendyhttp://www.jenjenkids.com/http://www.bodenusa.comhttp://www.izzyandash.comhttp://www.teacollection.comhttp://www.shopgenes.comhttp://www.garnethill.comhttp://www.garnethill.comhttp://www.milkshop.comhttp://www.gingerbreadmonkeys.comhttp://www.artebebe.com

Mini Boden

Janie and Jack

Euro stylehttp://www.oililyworld.comhttp://www.roomsevenusa.comhttp://www.trendytogs.comhttp://www.emmyandally.comhttp://www.tuttibella.comhttp://www.chasing-fireflies.comhttp://www.chasing-fireflies.comhttp://www.naartjie.comhttp://www.pumpkinpatchusa.com/http://www.catimini.com/http://www.littlelunablue.comhttp://www.achildscloset.com/http://www.westvillagekids.comhttp://www.shilav.com/http://www.shilav.com/http://www.oliebollen.comhttp://www.moppetfrocks.comhttp://www.matildajaneclothing.com

traditional (some with a modern or retro twist)http://www.florahenri.com/http://www.pearsandbears.comhttp://www.papodanjo.comhttp://www.papodanjo.comhttp://www.orientexpressed.comhttp://www.kellyskids.com/http://www.lucysykes.comhttp://www.olivejuicekids.comhttp://www.dagmardaley.com/http://www.tinymcsmall.comhttp://www.strasburgchildren.com/http://www.strasburgchildren.com/http://www.rachelriley.comhttp://www.bonpoint.com/http://www.pinstripeprep.com/http://www.hickeyfreeman.com

Meli Meli at

Chasing Fireflies

from Olive Juice Kids

shoes (sources for Primigi, Umi, and more!)http://www.zappos.comhttp://www.vincentshoestore.us/http://www.piperlime.comhttp://www.shoebuy.comhttp://www.striderite.comhttp://www.rileyroos.com/http://www.rileyroos.com/http://www.heatherstreasurebox.com/http://www.pediped.comhttp://www.livieandluca.comhttp://www.robeez.com/http://www.bestfootforwardllc.com

hats, tights, cute tees, and other fanciful accessorieshttp://www.littlemissmatched.com/http://www.littlemissmatched.com/http://www.trumpette.comhttp://www.babylegs.net/http://www.thebelovedchild.comhttp://www.lafolieknits.comhttp://www.charleekatz.com/http://www.wiggystudio.com/http://www.kitsel.comhttp://www.kitsel.comhttp://www.ellabeebaby.comhttp://www.tinyrevolutionary.comhttp://www.littleuni.com/http://www.prissypoofs.comhttp://www.peas-on-earth.com

Bear Feet Shoes at

Best Foot Forward

tutu from Prissy Poofs

This clothing guide created for Eclectic Journey Photography by WordSmith for Photographers.

Copyright 2011 Text and images Joyce Smith Photography &

Eclectic Journey Photography