Once you have the big date on the calendar, you will want to begin choosing your wardrobe!  Here are a few tips for when you're ready to pick out your clothing for the big day!

 

1 - Coordinate, but don't "Match"

Remember the 80's and 90's when everyone in the family wore a matching outfit with the same colored pants and top?  I do.... we wore jeans, khaki, and pink.  I was quite proud at the time.  Well those days are quite gone!  Now you're best bet is to pick a couple of colors and coordinate everyone's clothing around those.  You can get quirky here if you like...  Christmas poses are fun if everyone wears matching jammies!  And there are websites and stores that carry coordinating outfits for everyone in the fam from baby to mom and dad.

 

2 - Remember your home decor

You will be hanging your portraits on the wall at home, right?  Go for colors and a style that will look nice on your wall with the colors in your home.  Bright colors at home?  Throw in a pop of color with dad's tie or mom's jewelry...  Subtle, earthy shades?  Stick to the theme with more neutral, classic-looking outfits.

 

3 - Patterns and Plaids, Oh My!

Patterns are great fun...  in limited doses.  If one person's gonna be in something busy, get busy picking out something a little more pattern-less for the rest of the fam!  And on a side note, this is a great place to mention how you might want to avoid the latest Star Wars themed shirt or Spongebob.  Unless you're going for that quirky look.  BUT!  That leads me to....

 

4 - Accessories

I love being creative!  Feel free to bring along a trendy hat or a favorite stuffy (even if it is Spongebob).  We may not use them in every shot, but it is lovely to capture a moment with your sweet little one with her favorite doll or hat.  These are the memories that you will cherish.

 

5 - Avoid all white or all black clothing

Solid blacks only work for Johnny Cash.  And solid whites tend to look a bit angelic and are pretty hard to work with from a photographer's standpoint, so avoid them if ya can.  Bits of black and white in accessories such as a tie or a scarf are just fine, though.

 

6 - Finally!  Keep it Classic.

To sum it all up, choose simple, classic styles that reflect your tastes and color choices, and then add some pizazz with an accessory or two.  Or three.