- OVERSIZED CLOTHING: Steer clear of cargo shorts, baggy jeans, and oversized clothing.
- THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS: Thin stripes and tight plaids distort in printed photos and appear zig-zaggy and thus should be avoided.
- FORMALWEAR: Avoid outfits that are too formal for your setting. If you are in a natural area, a tuxedo, formal dress, tie/bowtie, might feel out of place.
- MEN’S SHORTS: Dads, leave the shorts at home and opt for pants so your hairy legs don’t distract from the photo.
- BRIGHT WHITE: White has the tendency to wash out complexions. Choose ivory and creams instead.
- BOLD AND DARK COLORS: Dark colors (e.g., navy blues, black, dark browns and grays) should be avoided, since they appear black in photos. Also, dark colors can wash out your complexion and create an overly dark feel in the photo. Overly saturated colors can distract from the photo, so look instead for muted versions. For example, if you have a bright yellow dress, think about a mustard or gold dress instead.
- NEON COLORS: Neon colors can reflect onto your face, causing skin tone problems in your photos. That neon green shirt will reflect upwards on your face and cause you to look green!
- LOGOS: Logos or text on clothing is distracting. Avoid shirts that have logos (even just a simple Nike check mark or Polo horse is distracting).
- STRAPLESS/SLEEVELESS TOPS: Unless you absolutely love your arms, avoid strapless or sleeveless tops. Sleeves are typically more flattering for everyone!
- UNDERSHIRTS: Guys, it’s best to avoid wearing white undershirts that hang out of the top of your shirt or sleeves.
- ATHLETIC POLO SHIRTS: You might love your Under Armour quick-dry polo but it’s not really the look you want to go for in your family session. Avoid athletic polos or quick-dry shirts and opt for more timeless fabrics.
- ATHLETIC SHOES: White tennis shoes, athletic shoes, and character shoes (think Disney princess shoes) should all be avoided. Leather shoes, casual sneakers (think Converse), sandals, slide-on canvas shoes, and wedges are all great options.
- LOW-CUT AND OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS: Low-cut shirts can shift during the session and leave you a little more revealed than you intended. Clothing that is overly tight and clings to you is uncomfortable and can leave bulges and bumps in places you don’t want.
- BABY OUTFITS WITH DIAPERS PEEKING OUT: An adorably cute moment with your baby can be ruined by the green-lined diaper that is hanging out of a little romper or dress. Avoid baby clothing that doesn’t completely cover those little Pampers.
- TRANSITIONAL LENSES: If you typically wear glasses, wear them for your session. But if you have polarized or transitional lenses, consider taking them off. Dark glasses will cover your eyes in the photos.–
- OVERSIZED CLOTHING: Steer clear of cargo shorts, baggy jeans, and oversized clothing.
- THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS: Thin stripes and tight plaids distort in printed photos and appear zig-zaggy and thus should be avoided.
- FORMALWEAR: Avoid outfits that are too formal for your setting. If you are in a natural area, a tuxedo, formal dress, tie/bowtie, might feel out of place.
- MEN’S SHORTS: Dads, leave the shorts at home and opt for pants so your hairy legs don’t distract from the photo.
- BRIGHT WHITE: White has the tendency to wash out complexions. Choose ivory and creams instead.
- BOLD AND DARK COLORS: Dark colors (e.g., navy blues, black, dark browns and grays) should be avoided, since they appear black in photos. Also, dark colors can wash out your complexion and create an overly dark feel in the photo. Overly saturated colors can distract from the photo, so look instead for muted versions. For example, if you have a bright yellow dress, think about a mustard or gold dress instead.
- NEON COLORS: Neon colors can reflect onto your face, causing skin tone problems in your photos. That neon green shirt will reflect upwards on your face and cause you to look green!
- LOGOS: Logos or text on clothing is distracting. Avoid shirts that have logos (even just a simple Nike check mark or Polo horse is distracting).
- STRAPLESS/SLEEVELESS TOPS: Unless you absolutely love your arms, avoid strapless or sleeveless tops. Sleeves are typically more flattering for everyone!
- UNDERSHIRTS: Guys, it’s best to avoid wearing white undershirts that hang out of the top of your shirt or sleeves.
- ATHLETIC POLO SHIRTS: You might love your Under Armour quick-dry polo but it’s not really the look you want to go for in your family session. Avoid athletic polos or quick-dry shirts and opt for more timeless fabrics.
- ATHLETIC SHOES: White tennis shoes, athletic shoes, and character shoes (think Disney princess shoes) should all be avoided. Leather shoes, casual sneakers (think Converse), sandals, slide-on canvas shoes, and wedges are all great options.
- LOW-CUT AND OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS: Low-cut shirts can shift during the session and leave you a little more revealed than you intended. Clothing that is overly tight and clings to you is uncomfortable and can leave bulges and bumps in places you don’t want.
- BABY OUTFITS WITH DIAPERS PEEKING OUT: An adorably cute moment with your baby can be ruined by the green-lined diaper that is hanging out of a little romper or dress. Avoid baby clothing that doesn’t completely cover those little Pampers.
- TRANSITIONAL LENSES: If you typically wear glasses, wear them for your session. But if you have polarized or transitional lenses, consider taking them off. Dark glasses will cover your eyes in the photos.–
Dixie Baxter Photography 