Family Style Guide - Sara Lally Photography

TLDR:

QUICK GLANCE HELPFUL TIPS

Dress Mom first! Expand from her outfit.
Kids should be comfortable! If you put them in the perfect outfit but it's too tight or itchy or any form of discomfort, they will not be happy. Period.
If in doubt, stick with neutrals and different textures. It's timeless.
Lay out all the clothes together so you can really see them as a unit.
If you feel an outfit is too 'boring' (aka just solid color) enhance it with accessories such as a headband, jewelry, or layering, but keep it simple**.

Let's Get Started

Dressing your family/husband/children/self for a photography session can sometimes be stressful, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth and even enjoyable process. So here are some helpful tips to make dressing your family for our session less intimidating and more exciting!

Let me just say...

Thank you for choosing Sara Lally Photography!

I’m truly excited to work with your family and create images that feel beautiful, natural, and timeless.

To help you prepare for your session, I’ve put together this style guide to make outfit planning simple and cohesive while complementing the light and bright look you can expect from my work.

The recommendations below are designed to help you choose outfits that photograph beautifully and align well with my editing style and overall vision for your session.

Feel free to use them as inspiration and mix pieces in a way that feels authentic to your family’s personality and style.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, COLOR PALETTE:

The preferred color palette consists of muted earth tones and light neutral colors.

The following colors work best for achieving the desired aesthetic:

Muted Earth Tones: beige, taupe, sage, warm gray, dusty rose, pale pink, light lavender, soft blues.

Light Neutral Colors: Ivory, cream, off-white, light gray.

Color Pallets

Aim for a cohesive look by selecting outfits that share similar colors from the recommended palette.

Coordinate colors between family members while avoiding an overly matchy-matchy appearance.

Consider mixing and matching colors within the palette to add depth and visual interest

Fabrics

Opt for lightweight, flowy fabrics such as linen, chiffon, cotton, or silk to enhance the airy feel of the photographs.

Avoid heavy or stiff materials that can make the images look weighed down

Textures, etc

Add visual interest by incorporating subtle textures or patterns, such as delicate floral prints, light stripes, or textured knits.

Keep any and all patterns minimal and understated, ensuring they don't overpower the overall aesthetic.

Footwear

For a cohesive look, choose footwear that complements the overall color scheme and style.

Opt for neutral or muted earth tone shoes, such as light-colored sandals, flats, or canvas sneakers.

Avoid heavy boots or bright, flashy shoes that may distract from the overall portrait.

If in doubt! Get on Pinterest. Simple searches such as "neutral family color pallet" and "family photography outfits spring" produce some great axamples that fit our portfolio and editing style.