How We Come Up with Family Photoshoot Wardrobe Ideas
How do we come up with what to wear for family photos anyways?
I went to fashion school, I got brainwashed into learning how to tell a compelling visual story through apparel. It’s simple: you’re telling a story through clothes. A clothing line, for instance, always feels much stronger when it’s connected to a specific story.
For example, a beach-inspired clothing line feels way more compelling when you create a story about a newlywed couple madly in love, heading to the Bahamas for their honeymoon—rather than just calling your inspiration “The Beach.” Does that make sense?
Now, when it comes to YOUR photoshoot, the hard part is already done. Your family story is our inspiration! You came to me because you want to capture that story authentically—whether it’s your baby’s birthday, a celebration of motherhood, or just those precious moments marking your little one’s current milestone.
So, with my fancy B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising, let’s walk through the steps of how we come up with perfect family photoshoot wardrobe ideas!
Step One: Understanding Your Style
Okay, when I say style, I don’t just mean words like “minimal” or “classic.” I’m also asking, “Are they carefree and silly?” or “Are they thoughtful and loving?” Getting this basic “vibe check” helps me build on your inspiration and pick the perfect location for your session. It really does (remember the “the beach” vs the “madly in love” example?).
Step Two: Creating the Moodboard
Location? Check.
Date? Check.
Time of day? Check.
Wardrobe? I’m on it!
Here’s where the fun begins: I dive into textures, colors, and shapes. I start with colors—pulling tones from the location—and combine different palettes until something clicks and feels like it truly speaks to your family story. Then, I layer in textures with fabric materials and keep the season in mind. Once I have the vision, I finalize everything and create a mood board for you.
Step Three: Your Unique Wardrobe Guide
By this time, we have a pretty clear idea of what we’re going for, heck, and you might even mentally identify pieces you already own. That’s exactly what I help you with! I start putting together a literal guide with real examples.
For the most part, I really try to suggest clothing pieces you likely already have. Oftentimes, we already own most of what we need, but it’s hard to visualize how it all comes together—until, well, it’s actually put together. That’s where I come in.
I use my fancy B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising again (a degree that cost blood, sweat, and tears—yes, literal blood, but that’s a story for another time) to create a personalized wardrobe guide for your family.
Example: Sarah’s Family Photoshoot
For Sarah’s family, we chose Los Altos Redwood Grove as the location, and she mentioned wanting to use the photos for their holiday cards. I had photographed Sarah and Chris’s reception dinner before, so I already picked up on their “vibe.” They had an awesome circle of friends—thoughtful and down-to-earth folks.
Plus, Sarah is one of those wonderful “client-turned-friend” people. After hanging out a couple of times, I knew she had a carefree, fun energy (with a lil’ humor). So, I felt inclined to suggest comfortable, relaxed clothing that reflected their casual and loving energy. We also decided to sprinkle in a little festive holiday flair.
Here’s what I came up with:
And the results are in!
SO what do you think? Do you think we nailed it? (I know you are nodding yes vigorously)
By combining storytelling with photography and fashion, we ensure your family photoshoot wardrobe feels natural, meaningful, and totally YOU.
Ready to tell your story? (Because I really need to put my fancy B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising—earned with literal blood—to good use.)Let me help bring your vision to life!
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