When it comes to taking the best family photos, clothing can make all the difference – especially when it comes to ensuring good color contrast, the right image, and a sense of timelessness that will make the photograph your favorite for years to come.
But how exactly can you make a timeless, large family photo, and what exactly should you wear to get the best results possible?
Decide On A Theme
The first thing you need to do before any large family photo is to decide on a theme.
Now, when we say ‘theme’, we don’t necessarily mean something outrageous and over the top – in fact a theme could be as simple as the same color scheme – but this can really help to create a sense of timelessness to the photo, as well as a sense of uniformity that can give the whole thing some cohesion.
Of course, there are also many themes you could choose from – ranging from set color schemes, to matching t-shirts – and all depends on what you want from the photo.
Matching Colors
This can be a great way to introduce a sense of cohesion and uniformity to a large family photo – not to mention helping to create a sense of visual harmony to large groups of people.
This doesn’t have to be strictly everyone wearing the same, and could in fact just be a pop of color that links you all together and matches the scenery behind you.
For seasonal photographs, this could feature more fall colors such as browns, reds, oranges, and pastel shades, or for the summertime it could be something a little more vibrant. The world really is your oyster!
Matching T-shirts
If the photograph is to commemorate an important celebration or event in your family – as large photos usually are – then you could try wearing matching t-shirts.
This might seem a little cheesy, but it can be a great, tongue in cheek way to show your family’s fun side, create a sense of visual harmony once more, and make it really easy to get everyone looking great for the photo.
Location-Based
You could also base your outfits based on the kind of environment you are in.
For example, if you are having the photograph taken at the beach in the summertime, then you could all opt for white, cool looking linen clothing that perfectly matches the scenery.
Likewise, if you are filming in the fall or the wintertime, then why not opt for your favorite snuggly winter wear to really look the part?
Festive Clothing
If the photograph is being taken at a festive time of year – such as a winter holiday, or an important seasonal event throughout the calendar year – then why not wear a piece of clothing that really celebrates that time?
This could be something like a Santa Claus hat, a Christmas sweater, or something equally synonymous with the holidays you celebrate as a family.
This can be a great way to be cute, timeless, or tongue in cheek as a family.
What Are The Best Choices To Make?
Of course, if your theme is decidedly more basic and reserved, then there are also several positive choices you can make to ensure that the whole thing goes off without a hitch.
Choose Solid Colors
The first thing you should do is to stick to solid colors for your clothing. This is because solid colors can really bring out a sense of clarity, they are easier to match, and they look a lot more in sync and striking when on camera.
Choose Neutral Shades
Unless your plan is to make a big, bright, and bold statement, it is usually best to opt for neutral shades of colors, as these blend better with a wider variety of backgrounds, allow you all to create a sense of visual harmony, and make the photograph more attractive and timeless.
Bright clothing tends to be of a specific time and place, and as such can help date a photo before its time if not deployed correctly.
Choose Timeless Styles
If you want your family photograph to really stay relevant as the years pass, and to avoid looking dated or out of touch, then you should try and opt for timeless styles of dress that will always be in style.
This means that jeans and plain t-shirts are in, as are formal suits – but be careful not to have anything with a print that could distract and highlight a specific era, not to mention any fashion designs that are very of the moment.
Choose timeless designs, clean lines, and design classics that people have and will always wear.
What To Avoid During Family Photos
There are also several things that are best avoided when trying to take a timeless, great family photo.
Patterns
It is always best to avoid patterns during photos, as these can create unusual visual symmetry in group photos, can create optical illusions if they are patterned, and can generally look less striking and effective as block color clothing.
Printed T-shirts
One thing you should always avoid is printed t-shirts – especially if they are fitted with a slogan, brand, or intellectual property that could determine the era that the photo was taken in.
Nothing dates a photo and shows age more than a brand – as these act for markers of specific decades and times in our lives.
Final Thoughts
It’s true that clothing really can make all the difference when taking a photo with family – not only in terms of color and lighting, but also in terms of creating a timeless photo that will not appear dated or aged before its time.
Hey everyone, and welcome to LemonadeAndLenses.com. My name is Laura and I am the founder of this site!
For as long as I can remember, I have loved taking photographs. There is nothing I love more than looking back through old pictures, and having all of the memories come flooding back.
If you want to learn about how to take professional images, and to run your own photography business, then I can help you out, here at Lemonade And Lenses.
