Mini Sessions Made Easy: how to look great in your family portraits
Planning for your fall family mini session?
Here are some tips, gathered from 17 years of family photography in Washington DC!
Take a look at this family's fantastic outfits. What can we learn from their look?
✓ Coordinate vs matching: check out how mom's scarf is a different pattern from the boy' matching shirts, grabbing the navy and cream colours but adding a pop of autumn orange to their palette!
✓ The power of neutrals: Creamy white and warm cappuccino colours make the blues in the plaid and demin pop, and are a perfect balance to the pop of orange. Neutrals also look great in natural settings like this one at the old Walter Reed campus in NW DC.
✓ Casual and clean shoes finish the look perfectly. No distracting or attention grabbing footwear to pull your eyes away from this gorgeous family and their glowing smiles!
Now take a look at this family's classic approach. What can we learn from their look?
✓ The evergreen black sweater dress: check out how mom's classic, monochrome style. Black sweater dress, black tights, black heels. The look is ready for Christmas card or Christmas gala.
✓ Holiday punch: her daughter's red and green plaid party dress is picture perfect. On theme and sparkling with personality.
✓ Red Mary Janes: You can't miss the bold punch of the classic red Mary Jane shoes. They're playful and timeless.
Take a look at this family's causal approach to portrait perfection. What can we learn from their look?
✓ Variations on a theme: The moms' don't match but the stripes pattern makes their look coordinate while still being fun and fresh
✓ Trouser power: the whole family in causal pants keeps the look informal and easy-going. These photos will work for any season and any reason.
✓ Comfort keeps things fun: when your outfits are comfortable, so are you. Of course you can have great photos in dressy outfits - but casual style is a salute to the beauty of everyday life.
Look at this unconventional approach - what can we learn from their look?
✓ Rules are for fools: you don't actually have to follow ANY tips for great family photos.
✓ Be yourself: Or be Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, a Leprechaun and a Unicorn... it's really your call.
✓ Cover all the bases by making your holiday card photo an EVERY HOLIDAY card photo. Why settle for one holiday when there are so many to enjoy?!
With a little planning, your fall family mini session photos will shine!
And with the right photographer to help you along, family portraits can be FUN and EASY. I’ve been a family photographer in the Washington DC area for seventeen years, for mini sessions, family portraits and documentary family sessions like Day in the Life/Real Life sessions in DC, Maryland and Virginia. I hope your next family photo session is exceptional!
Are you looking for photos that are less posed, more spontaneous and radically real? Check out my documentary style photography for families by clicking the See More button here.
If you’d like to more about a session like this just hit “contact” and send me an email. I would love to tell you more.