Columbia & Ellicott City Maryland
Welcome to our comprehensive styling guide designed to enhance your family photography experience. As a seasoned professional family photographer, I've learned the immense impact that styling can have on the outcome of your family portraits. Styling goes beyond mere clothing choices; it's about creating a cohesive look that reflects your family's personality and the essence of your bond.
Styling Guide for
Memorable Family Photographs
Let's dive into how we can achieve that together.
Styling is the secret ingredient to transforming your family photographs from good to unforgettable. It's not just about looking your best; it's about bringing out the unique charm and connection of your family. Through thoughtful styling, we can elevate the visual appeal and emotional depth of your images, making them timeless treasures.
Introduction
WHY STYLe?
Navigating the styling process for a photography session can seem daunting, especially with the plethora of options and styles available. A practical starting point is to familiarize yourself with common pitfalls to avoid. This not only streamlines your styling choices but also ensures that the outfits you select contribute positively to the overall aesthetic of your photographs. Here's a detailed guide on what to sidestep when styling for your next photo shoot.
What to Avoid in Styling for a Photography Session
When styling for photography, choosing a harmonious color palette is crucial. Bright, neon colors and busy patterns can easily clash, creating a visual distraction that detracts from the main subjects of the photo. Instead, aim for a cohesive look by selecting colors that complement each other. Soft pastels, earth tones, or muted shades can blend beautifully without competing for attention. Solid colors or subtle patterns enhance the photograph's focus on the individuals and their connections.
1.
Avoid clashing colors and patterns
2. Logos and text can distract
Outfits adorned with large logos or text can detract from the timeless feel of your photographs. These elements can pull focus away from the subjects, making the photos feel more like casual snapshots than professional portraits. To maintain a clean and focused aesthetic, choose outfits that are free of visible logos and text. This approach ensures that the viewers' attention remains on the photo's subjects and the emotions captured within.
3.
Mismatched themes disrupt cohesion
Your outfit choices should reflect and complement the photography session's setting and theme. Mismatched themes—such as wearing formal attire in a rustic outdoor setting—can create a visual disconnect, making the photos feel less cohesive. Consider the backdrop and season when selecting your outfits. For example, lighter fabrics and casual styles work well for beach sessions, while richer colors and layered outfits are ideal for autumnal shoots.
4. Avoid all matching outfits
A common misconception when styling for family photography sessions is that everyone needs to wear matching outfits for a unified look. However, this approach can actually detract from the individual personalities within the family and result in a lack of visual interest in the final photographs. Instead of opting for identical clothing, aim for a coordinated but varied wardrobe that reflects each family member's unique style while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of the photography session, and what is included?
Can we purchase additional prints or digital files after the session?
Do you offer digital files or prints?
Can we request specific poses or shots?
How long will the session take?
Can we include siblings or family members in the photographs?
Do you provide props and accessories for the session?
What should we wear for the photography session?
What should we expect during the photography session?
When should we book or schedule a photography session for our newborn/maternity/1st birthday/engagement/wedding?
It is recommended to book your newborn, maternity or 1st birthday/ milestone photography session at least 2 weeks in advance. To ensure availability, it's advisable to book a month or two ahead, especially during peak periods like spring, early summer, fall, and the weeks leading up to the year-end holiday season. This is particularly important if you desire weekend slots for your photography needs. For wedding photography, you should book the date as soon as the venue is booked and the wedding date is set.
During the photoshoot, as professional photographers, we will provide clear directions and guidance on posing to capture beautiful portraits. Whether it's an outdoor photography session or an indoor setting, we have extensive experience in candid and lifestyle photography. Our aim is to create authentic and heartfelt moments that reflect the couple’s or the family's unique dynamics.
Once you've booked your photography session, we will send you a Photography Experience and Styling Guide to assist you in selecting the perfect outfits for your family. Coordinating colors, textures, and styles can enhance the overall aesthetic of your family or couple portraits, ensuring a cohesive look.
For all indoor photoshoot, such as in-home newborn, maternity, and family sessions, we will bring professional studio lighting and backdrops. Additionally, for newborn photography sessions, we have a wide selection of newborn photography props available to create adorable and memorable portraits. As experienced newborn photographer, we utilize these props to create sleepy newborn poses. We also some props for first birthday and will provide picnic mats/cloths for outdoor family photography.
Absolutely! Our family photography packages allow siblings and family members to be included in the session. We understand the importance of capturing the bond and love shared among family members, and we strive to create memorable portraits that showcase these connections.
The duration of the photography session depends on the package chosen and the number of desired images. Our family photography packages include specified time duration, ensuring we have enough time to capture a variety of poses to provide you with a collection of beautiful photographs to choose the specified number of images.
Certainly! We encourage you to share any specific poses or shots you have in mind prior to the session. As professional people photographers, we value your ideas and will work closely with you to incorporate them into the session. While we strive to create images in a style consistent with our portfolio, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests.
All our photography packages include digital images, allowing you to preserve and share your precious memories. While a few packages include physical prints, you also have the option to purchase prints directly from the gallery we provide. We have partnered with Miller's Professional Imaging, a trusted photo printing company, to ensure the highest quality prints for our clients.
Yes! In addition to the images included in your chosen package, we often provide extra edited images. If you wish to purchase additional digital files or prints, you can do so directly from the gallery we deliver to you.
For detailed information about our family photography packages and pricing, please contact us directly. We offer a range of packages tailored to meet different needs, ensuring you find the option that suits you best.