Whether you are a professional photographer or a seasoned amateur, there are a few tips you can follow when planning and styling your family photos. It includes dressing in layers, accessorizing, and choosing the proper lighting.
Dress in layers
Whether you’re planning a family portrait session or need to restock your closet, layering is the answer to a sweltering August day. In addition to helping keep you and your kids comfortable, it also adds visual interest and texture to your outfit.
A warm, fitted dress is a smart choice for those of you with little ones. On the flip side, you should avoid super dark colours and over-the-top patterns. Your children will be more excited about taking their family photos if they like their outfits.
The best time to get family pictures taken is during the holidays. These photos will surely bring back memories for years to come. They’re a great way to show off your family’s unique personalities. You may want to consider purchasing Santa hats and other props for these photos.
It’s hard to beat the comfort of a good cotton dress. On the other hand, if you’re shooting an autumn family portrait, you’ll want to look for bright fall foliage.
When choosing an outfit for your family photo session, the colour scheme should reflect your family’s personality. It can be achieved by using neutral tones and light fabrics. Using similar colours and textures, you can also coordinate with your children’s clothing.
For a more interesting effect, consider wearing layers of varying fabrics. It will add visual interest and texture to your outfit and depth and dimension to your photo. Alternatively, you can wear one patterned item, such as a frock and a solid piece. It will add a touch of sophistication to your photo, but it should be considered in small doses.
Accessorize
Choosing an outfit for your family photo can be tricky, but a few tips can make it easier. Whether you are taking photos in the fall, winter, or spring, each season has its colour scheme. You can choose a colour palette based on the season and then use that palette to select your clothing.
Having an outfit plan in advance can reduce stress and help you avoid last-minute panic. If you know what to wear, you can focus on your family’s individuality instead of chasing a perfect image.
Patterns are a good choice for family pictures, but they should be kept to a minimum. You want to pick patterns that blend in with the background and clothing. You should also avoid patterns that are too busy or loud.
Using patterned pieces, you can add texture by using accessories such as ribbons, fur, or other textured items. Placing different textures can add dimension to your photos if you use solid colours.
If you take your family’s photos during the holidays, wearing holiday-themed outfits is vital. It might include Santa hats, cable-knit sweaters, or furry scarves. However, you should avoid wearing characters on your shirt or large logos. These can be distracting and can cause the photo to look cluttered.
During the winter, plaid shirts and flannels are trendy. These shirts and sweaters have a classic look, making them a good choice for family photos.
You can also wear bright, colourful clothes for your family’s photos. Just keep in mind that a lot of colours will look disorganized. You can use a palette that contains two to three coordinating colours.
Pick the right lighting
Choosing the proper lighting for a family photoshoot in Sydney is vital for a good image. The best time to take family portraits is during golden hour, which occurs after dawn and sunset. It is an excellent time to shoot since the sun is lower in the sky, resulting in less shadows.
Shooting near a window or other natural light source is also a good idea. These will add drama and depth to the image. To avoid harsh shadows, try to position the subject on a 45-90 degree angle to the light.
It is a good idea to use an external flash to help light up the scene. An external flash allows you to shoot at low ISOs, which helps avoid blurry images. An external flash should be mounted on your camera’s left or right side and set at a 45-degree angle.
It is also a good idea not to place the flash directly on the hot camera shoe. Instead, mount it on a diffuser or other accessory. It will allow the light to fall on the subject’s face rather than on the floor. It will remove the harsh shadows under the eyes.
Another method for achieving good lighting for family photos is using two-point lighting. Using a single light source and a reflector, position the subject at a 45-degree angle to the light. It will provide a soft glow but will not allow you to control the fill light.
Backlighting and other lighting techniques can also add drama to the photo. You can create a hazy glow, a sunburst flare, or a directional light. A good rule of thumb is to place the subject closer to the window for a more dramatic portrait.
