Are you getting ready to plan your next family photo shoot in Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, or Captiva? Here are my top tips for selecting amazing attire, for the whole family!

1) Choose a Color Palette

Selecting what to wear for your family photo shoot in Fort Myers all starts here, with selecting your color palette. If you want the quick and easy version of my advice, I always recommend selecting a color palette of pastels, neutrals, or dusty earthy tones. Typically, if my clients get stuck on selecting a color palette, I love to jump in and offer my expertise on which colors work best in front of the camera, and which ones to avoid.

Selecting a color palette tends to be the step that most families get stuck on. Many times, it involves heading to Pinterest and dreaming up the scenario in which your family arrives at your session in freshly picked coordinated outfits that you’ve hand-selected every step of the way. But, Pinterest can also be a joy thief. Meaning this, it’s easy to dive into Pinterest and suddenly find yourself lost in a sea of unrealistic expectations. Resulting in heaps of frustration and ultimately decision fatigue. It’s not exactly the best way to build excitement for your family photo shoot.

Here’s what I like to say about that; stick with what works! If you or your children, or anyone else attending your family photo shoot in Fort Myers, have never once worn pastels, then now is not the time to take them out for a test drive. As important as it is to select a color palette for your attire, it’s also equally important to feel your best.  If you know, without a doubt, that you feel more comfortable in a blend of dusty blue tones paired with creamy whites, then start there!

2) Avoid Busy Prints & Patterns

Watercolor floral prints are gorgeous pieces of attire for family photo shoots! Especially if you or anyone else in your family needs an “easy breezy” dress to wear by the sea. The subtle design photographs beautifully and always has an air of elegance and timelessness. But busy prints and heavy patterns are a major no-no. 

My goal is always to bring out the natural joy and rhythm that a family shares. I have experience selecting the correct backdrop with just the right amount of light to create beautiful, frame-worthy photos that your family will cherish for a lifetime. In addition to the right location and backdrop, I always like to make sure that my families are at ease during their time with me and that they feel confident in what they have on.

I find this approach leads to capturing that glow, that magic that showcases your family dynamic. Which is also another big reason why I advise my families to stay away from heavy stripes, checkered patterns, or even ‘Hawaiian’ shirts. These loud designs can be distracting to the eye, altogether detracting from the natural beauty of your family photos.

3) What to Wear for Family Photos on the Beach

Are you heading to Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, or Captiva on a family vacation? How fun! It’s often during family vacations that my clients reach out to me, wanting to cherish the moment with a fun family photo shoot. Those easy-going, hanging-by-the-beach vacations are some of the best, and families want to remember what an amazing time they had building sand castles and taking in the idyllic sunset views. 

Once a session is booked, many families head straight out to start shopping for outfits. But one thing to consider before you head out for some retail therapy is how your attire will work in the location where your photo shoot is taking place. And I’m talking about more than your color palette. If we are meeting on the beach, how will your attire move in the breeze? Is it lightweight and ready to dance in the wind? Or did you have stiff, thicker fabrics in your shopping bag? What about the kids? Will they be comfortable or will there be complaints about tags and itchiness?

If you know we’ll be meeting for a sunset session, will the kids be comfortable in polo shirts and shorts, or do they need long sleeves? If we’re meeting and we’ve decided against meeting at the beach in favor of an area with more greenery, will your outfits protect from insect bites? Aside from the color palette you’ve chosen to highlight the natural beauty of your backdrop, you’ll have to consider how temperature, elements, and other factors will lend to your and your family’s comfort.

The location of your family photo shoot matters when selecting your attire.

Can you imagine gorgeous photos down by the shore where the sea meets the sand and you are wearing a lightweight dress that floats in the breeze? Now can you imagine that same location with jeans and a thick polo shirt? Your comfort level in your attire will shine through in your photos. If you feel like you could’ve worn something more lightweight, or the kids start feeling itchy or asking for tags to be cut, it doesn’t exactly translate to a memorable experience. 

Selecting the proper attire for your family photos on the beach is another area I am more than happy to offer my expertise! Once we’ve decided on the perfect location for you and your family, along with what time we’ll be meeting, I can provide feedback on what to look for and what to avoid.

Are you ready to plan your next family photo shoot in Fort Myers? You can learn more about the experience I offer at this link.

4) Coordinate With Your Home

Surprised to see this on the list? Let me ask you this… and I’m talking to the Moms here, how many photos are there of you with your family? You know, photos where you are actually in front of the camera? I’m willing to bet, that you are usually the person capturing the magic of your families memories as they unfold. The minute your kids blow out the candles on their cake or open gifts during the holidays. You are there, diligently snapping away, capturing it all to look back on someday. But now that you’ve hired a professional photographer for your family photo shoot, it’s your turn to step in front of the camera. And that means feeling your best because I know you want to hang those photos on the walls of your loving home.

I approach my family sessions with the objective of creating frame-worthy photos to hang on the walls of your home for a lifetime.

Of course, you can always choose to gift these photos to grandparents or even special aunts and uncles. But, ultimately, it’s all about celebrating the memories your family made together. Those memories are not served well if they are hanging out in Google Photos or even a Dropbox folder. They are to be remembered, every day, when you pass by them on the walls of your home.

Which is why I think it’s so important to consider your home decor when selecting what to wear to your family photo shoot in Fort Myers. Does it have to exactly match the paint on your walls? Not exactly! It just needs to be complimentary. If your home is minimalistic with an open-style floor plan and grey and white walls, then creams and neutral tones will work wonders for your photos. If you’re more of a maximalist, then creamy orange, or even hints of lavender (remember, not too dark!) will be amazing choices for your attire.

5) Accessories Are Important

Do you have to go out and buy a brand-new pair of earrings or a matching necklace for your photo shoot? Probably not. Unless you’ve been looking for an excuse to pick up something you’ve had your eye on for a while, in which case, go for it! But, accessorizing your attire for your family photo shoot is a wonderful way to add depth, texture, and layers to your look. First things first, jewelry! If you have pieces that you wear every day, such as your wedding rings, a pair of earrings, or your go-to necklace, then absolutely include them. 

Cute and light details for the kids are always welcome. Bows, whether on headbands, barrettes, or as a tie for a dress or skirt are adorable and photograph beautifully! Belts are also a great way to emphasize those adorable outfits you selected and purchased for your family. If you are a family who loves a fantastic hat and you wear them on a regular basis, hats are also welcome.

For my families who capture their session on the beach, I love an adorable on-trend boho style hat. But that’s basically the end of the list of accessories to wear for your family photo shoot in Fort Myers. Less is more in the accessory department. You want to add in just enough accessories to create those layers we talked about, but not so much that it takes away from the natural beauty of your photos. And, if you’re curious, yes, I’m a firm believer in a fresh manicure!

Are you ready to plan your next family photo shoot in Fort Myers? You can learn more about the experience I offer at this link.

6) Shoes

Shoes often get kicked off during a beach family photo shoot in Fort Myers. But, that doesn’t usually happen instantly. Do you have multiple generations of family members on vacation with you who will be all lined up for photos? From Grandma all the way down to the newest baby, before we get to the fun part where everyone is running around in the sand and splashing in the water, those poses will be a bit more formal and include shoes.

So what is acceptable footwear for a family photo shoot that takes place on the beach? My hard and fast rules are nothing that appears to worn (the camera picks up everything!), no running shoes, and no plastic flip-flops. Comfort is important for all of your family members. But having a gorgeous family photo that depicts every member of your family together for this once-in-a-blue-moon unforgettable trip, requires shoes, at least for the moment. Again, do you need to run out and buy new shoes? Probably not. Something that is comfortable, presentable, and not well-worn will work perfectly. After all, those shoes will more than likely get tossed to the side once we make our way to the water’s edge!

7) Shop For You First, Then the Kids

It’s so easy to shop for our kids, isn’t it? Adorable outfits for the kids jump out at us in every direction, and more often than not we end up buying much more than we planned for. Believe me, I’ve been a victim of the children’s clothing department myself! However, this is where I am going to tell you to shop for yourself first. Mom, Dad, Grandma, whoever has been tasked with shopping for the family, it’s time to turn the tables and find something for you. And yes, you are going to find something for yourself, before you shop for the kids! Unheard of, I know.

Here’s why! Your outfit will subsequently drive what you decide to pick up for your spouse or the kids, and I want you to look and feel your absolute best. It’s so much easier to do this when you don’t have to worry about coordinating with what you’ve already purchased for others. The sky is the limit!

You have your color palette in mind, you know when and where we will be meeting and I’ve advised you on what type of attire and material will look amazing in your photos. All you have to do is shop. Try things on, play around with outfits that have piqued your interest, and find something truly fabulous, just for you! I’m giving you full permission to put yourself first in this situation. We already know it’s easy enough for you to find gorgeous outfits for the kids, and you’ll still get to do that. But only after you’ve found something you are truly excited about wearing during your family photo shoot in Fort Myers!

8) Coordinate

So you’ve taken my advice (fingers crossed) and shopped for a fabulous outfit for yourself before you headed over to the children’s department. Now you’re ready to shop for your spouse, and the kids and text the rest of your family members with the official game plan for your attire. Here’s another hidden reason why you should shop for yourself before everyone else. 

Above all, you want everyone in the family to coordinate their attire for the shoot, not match. No identical outfits. You should aim to compliment each other without appearing too “matchy-matchy”. The tones can be the same and even the essence of the attire, tops, and bottoms, or full-length skirts. However, the entire outfit should not be purchased in multiple sizes for each member of the family to wear in your photos. Save the matchy-matchy outfits for the Christmas PJs in front of the tree during the holidays. This session is all about creating a milestone for your family to cherish.

Are you ready to plan your next family photo shoot in Fort Myers? You can learn more about the experience I offer at this link.