There are three principles that most of our families find helpful.

One: Keep everyone in similar shades and tones, this means everyone is either in dark or light colors. If you have a family with four people and three are in dark and one is in light, everyone’s attention will go to the lighter clothing instead of everyone’s expressions. When all outfits are similar shades and tones, the portrait is more visually balanced.

Two: Solid colors work best. Busy patterns can create unflattering lines and limit what can be done in the artistic retouching process. Solid colors are more cohesive and unifying.

Three: Wear something that makes you feel great! Family portraits aren’t the best time to experiment with a completely different style, we suggest wearing something your family feels comfortable and confident in. Some families prefer to stay casual, others prefer to dress up in their finest. You know your family best, your portraits (and what you wear in them!) should be a reflection of who you are and your personal styles.

Additional suggestions we like to give are to pay attention to details like socks and shoes, and avoid accessories that may get easily tangled or come off (like very long necklaces and scarves that require a very delicate placement).