• 1. The whole family should COORDINATE. By coordinate I don't mean "be twins", I mean be similar in color, style, and weather. :)

• 2. COLOR: Choose a small color palette (2-3 colors) and have everyone stick to it. Some examples: Warm Neutrals (creams, beiges, tans, browns). Blues and Greys. Mustards and Olives. Reds and Pinks. Purples and Blacks. As long as everyone is within your chosen color schemes, they should fit in. The best trick is to lay out all the outfits, including shoes and accessories, on the bed together.  If something stands out and draws your eye to it, it is distracting and will also be distracting in the photo. We want the outfits to all blend in together so that our eyes are free to focus on those beautiful FACES! (TIP for choosing your color palette: if your plan is to hang a large work of art over your mantle, be conscious of the color of decor in that room. For example, if your living room is mostly neutrals with a few pops of red, then you want your wardrobe to be compatible with that room so that the artwork compliments it.) As you can see in the photos below, most families choose a pretty neutral or "fall colors" palette for this time of year. But if you have a passion for aqua, go for it! As long as you all coordinate together, the fall leaves will still be gorgeous with your wardrobe.

• 3. STYLE: What is your "dress attire"? Do you want to be casual or dressy? For example, if one person is wearing a gown for the shoot, we wouldn't have another family member in a torn t-shirt. This may sound obvious, but it's important enough to mention. Dark jeans can be dressed up nicely if others are wearing long skirts or nice slacks. Also, if you are choosing between something "totally in" right now, or "timeless", I'd go with the "timeless".

• 4. WEATHER: Just like the style tip, everyone should look like they are enjoying the same kind of weather. :)  If the children are in thick, warm and fuzzy sweaters, Dad probably shouldn't be in short sleeves. If someone is wearing furry boots, another shouldn't be in sandals. And if Mom is donning a wintery scarf, put a hat on Dad or mittens on the kids for a nice balance. 

• 5. PATTERNS: For group portraits solids and small patterns are best. (Pin stripes not good though.) Stay away from large or bold patterns if possible since they distract. Also distracting are big logos, words and pictures. 

• 6. SHOES: Believe it or not, shoes can make or break a photo. I usually love bare feet for everyone if that works for your family. However, this is fall and if we are in the woods, or it feels too cold, or you are dressed too warm to make bare feet look believable, :) I recommend DARK shoes. Chocolate brown boots or shoes work well because they kind of disappear. DARK SOCKS too please, white ones will stand out like a sore thumb.  And please NO WHITE or COLORFUL sneakers/shoes if at all possible, unless of course it is part of the whole theme (like aqua converse sneakers with an aqua and orange palette).

• 7. ACCESSORIES: Accessories like a vest, scarf or shrug, a hat or hair accessories, a funky necklace or bracelet or earrings, all are fun and make your images look polished. But only choose one of those for each person, since over-accessorizing can be "too much". Look at some pictures in your favorite clothing catalogues for inspiration. 

• 8. MAKEUP and HAIR: Feel free to wear makeup heavier than usual as camera & lighting can wash you out a bit. You may feel overly made up but it will look good on camera. Bring your lipstick to touch up, and powder if you have it. If anyone is getting a hair cut, give extra time for it to grow in before the shoot. Also, I don't recommend a ponytail since it can look strange from the front view, like a helmet head. However a side ponytail or two pig tails work fine.

• 9. WEAR WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD: This should go without saying, but if you are wearing something that is too big, too tight, too itchy, or just plain not flattering, than you won't be your most relaxed, and it will show in the images. Wear what you love and what you feel good in, and then you will not only enjoy the shoot more, but you will be much happier with your photos in the years to come!

• 10. PLAN AHEAD: It's great to get a good night's sleep before our shoot - you don't want to be running around the night before like a crazy person. So please take a look in everyone's closet way ahead of time and choose your family's wardrobe; make sure everything still fits (including shoes) and that nothing is stained or needs to be ironed etc. Again, this is all about you being relaxed and happy for your session. And we all know, if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. :)

If you want to book a Fall Session, or are already a client and have any questions (or want to send me your "outfits on the bed" photo for advice), please feel free to email me at cariellen@cariellen.com!