1. CHOOSING WHAT TO WEARDeciding what to wear in family photos can be just as challenging as finding the per-fect photographer. These are photos you are going to hang on your walls and cherish for years to come. It can seem overwhelming when considering what to wear but it doesn’t need to be. Use these tips to help you pick out the perfect wardrobe for you and your family.

Have your clothing chosen way in advance and make sure that your outfit choices are comfortable and attractive. What do your dream family photos look like? If they are soft and elegant, chose neutral colors with soft, flowing fabrics…. think creams, very soft pastels, oatmeals, light browns, tans, grays, and slate blues. Want to showcase the fun and spunky side of your family? Choose coordinating colors (but not matchy, matchy) with bold accent colors, such as hues of gray with yellow or bright red accents. Adding fun accessories like scarves, headbands, hats, etc. can add a modern twist and sassy flair to your imaadd a modern twist and sassy flair to your images.

Coordinating colors not matching.Long gone are the days of everyone wearing a white shirt and matching. Instead, pick a couple of colors and choose clothes that will fit in this color scheme.

Look at your home decor.DDo you like bright colors? Neutrals? Since you will be hanging these photos in your house you want to make sure the colors of your clothes go with the color scheme of your home.

Don’t forget accessories.Accessories not only add to your outfit but they can be fun to use in photos. Ties, necklaces, hats, scarves... get creative!

Limit patterns.Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colors in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image.

Look for clothing collections.When shopping for clothes for my kids, I head to stores that typically have color coordinat-ing collections. I can then purchase clothes for all the children from one store. I know their clothes will coordinate.

Plan ahead.OnceOnce you book your session, start thinking of the clothes right away. You may think cer-tain clothes will fit your kids or that one dress is clean. If you wait until the day of or day before you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting, being dirty or need to be dry cleaned.

Say no to characters.Yes, your little one may love their Toy Story shirt but you may want to skip it for the family photo session. Just like patterns, characters on shirts can be pretty distract-ing.

Avoid all white or all black clothing.If you are wearing an all white shirt then it is very easy to blow out parts of your shirtcausing it to lose its detail. Same can be said with all black, it’s easy to have clipping on black clothing and the detail is lost.

Textures are your friend.I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs I like to add textures likescarves or belts to add a little more to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures.

Consider your background.IfIf you are taking photos in front of a backdrop, consider what you are wearing. You do not want to blend in to the scenery or the backdrop. Choose a nice contrasting color palette instead.

Think classic.These photos will be hanging on your walls and treasured for years to come. By choosingsimple, classic clothes you will help give your images a timeless feel.

Do you need more ideas on what to wear in family photos? Check out this link for somegreat visual ideas!http://www.pinterest.com/jennburnettfoto/family-photo-sessions/

2. Come well rested and well fedBeBe certain not to schedule your photo session around your child’s regular nap or bed-time. The best time for lighting is the two hours before sunset and after sunrise. If this is a bad time for your children, visit with me. Good photographers will be able to shoot at any time of day by utilizing areas of open shade that will give your skin a beautiful hue and put a sparkle in your eyes. Don’t show up to a photo shoot on an empty stomach. I meet many families who come to a photo session with dinner scheduled at the end. If this is your plan, be sure to give everyone a healthy snack before the photo shoot.

3. Be sure to leave plenty of time to get readyMoms are often rushing around before a photo shoot, making sure that their family isdressed and ready. I always encourage mothers to have their hair and makeup profes-sionally done. This will prepare mom for her pictures and when mom is feeling pretty and confident, this will reflect on the rest of the family as well. Leave plenty of time for showers, baths, dressing, and grooming. When a family shows up to a family photo session rushed and disorganized, it sets the tone for a rushed and disorganized session. Give yourself extra time so that you are ready before it’s time to head out that door.

4. Cheerful participationDads, please cheerfully participate. I know that many dads dread the family photo session,session, but fathers, please understand how important capturing your family is. These images will be left as a legacy, when your children are grown, with families of their own some day. Family photos are treasured forever and they are so important. Please, please, dads… cheerfully participate in your family photo session. Once you see your happy wife and amazing photographs, you will be so glad that you gave this time to your family.

5. Cheese is for crackersPlease,Please, parents… leave the “cheese” at home. Cheese is for crackers. So many times I have found parents who stand behind the photographer and scream, “Say cheese to the lady kids!” Yelling and demanding young children to look at the camera to smile will only stress your children out (not to mention the photographer) and will result in strained, unnatural and often unflattering photographs. Step back, and allow the photographer to naturally interact and talk with your children. This will result in natural, gorgeous smiles. Help the photographer capture the true essence of your child’s personality by talking with and coaxing out those smiles natutalking with and coaxing out those smiles naturally and easily.