Family photography season is officially here! I am excited to meet new families and work with old friends. About a month ago I covered how to get ready for your family photo session and today I would like to really dive in deep into one of the steps: What to wear to your family session. 

If you  made a decision to take family portraits with a professional photographer, you probably are excited to plan out your outfits. Although, it can also get a little stressful and overwhelming. Here are a couple of tips to give you some ideas on how to put together your family photos outifts.

1. Be yourself. Lifestyle photography supposed to be authentic. If you don't usually wear dressy clothes, chances are you will be uncomfortable wearing them for your photo session as well.  If you rather be wearing your favorite sports jersey, then do it. You can find clothes that fits your style and is nice, clean and comfortable. You certainly can dress up, but it should be in your style.

2. Do not match, but pick out clothes and colors that coordinate and go well together. It is out of style to wear matching clothes for family photos. When choosing best colors for family pictures outside think about colors that complement each other. Jewel tones always look pretty as well as soft pastels.

3. For your kids, stay away from graphics and neon colors. Graphics tend to go out of style and neon colors could cast that same shade on your kids face that's next to impossible to get rid of.

4. Make sure that the clothes fits well. It is not really a time to wear a clothes that is too big or too small. Shoes are important, as nothing sticks out as a sore thumb as a tennis shoes with a dress on. Of course, life happens. I'll be real for a minute and open up to you that I forgot my son's shoes for our own family photo session. We worked around it and it turned out fine, but you bet, next time I will be triple checking everyone's outfits before we leave the house.

5. Moms, this is your time to shine. I love when moms wear dresses, if it is something they enjoy. But I would recommend when looking for outfits for family photos to start with your outfit first. Find an outfit that you love and feel great in and build others outfits and color schemes from there. Don't forget accessories and layers always look good and can give a lot of personality to an outfit. 

Have fun with it! If you have any more questions ask them in the comments. 

I've met Luke's parents quite a few times consider that we were neighbors for a while. I loved getting to know them as couple that lived around the corner and my daughter's nursery leaders. And they are the nicest couple that has each other's back. Luke came into the family that is filled with love and respect and I can't wait to see great things he will do. I loved this newborn photo shoot and am excited to share these photos with you.

I compiled this list of locations in case you need a few ideas for places to take pictures this season. These are not all locations that are available. Not even close, but I wanted to give you ideas without getting you overwhelmed. I am always open to use a location that is meaningful to you. Just between you and me, the session can even be in your home or backyard! Another idea is to think outside the box. The pictures by the airplane hangar, boat or on  a family owned farm could look beautiful and unique to tell your story.

Scenic:

1. Antelope Island. 150 South 600 East (Exit 332 off of I-15)

http://stateparks.utah.gov/

Beautiful state park in the middle of Great Salt Lake. Lots of wide open spaces. The best time to shoot would be early morning/late afternoon, and any time during overcast days. There is a small fee per car to get in.

2. International Peace Gardens
1000 South 900 West Salt Lake City, UT

Located in the back of the big park and is closed of as a separate little park. Has a lot of beautiful flowers, small structures representing different countries.

3. Tunnel Springs Park in North Salt Lake, UT

Beautiful park at the top of Eaglewood development. Long grasses, hills, beautiful rustic fence. Minimal shade so best time is early morning or later in the evening.

4.Memory Grove 370 North Canyon Road SLC, UT

Very popular location in the heart of Salt Lake City. Has lots to offer from bridges, to canyon, from streams to staircases. Even on a crowded night, there is a lot of options. Bonus, it is dog friendly.

5.Liberty Park
589 East 1300 South SLC, UT

Beautiful park with a lake and islands. 80 acres of beautiful scenery including a water feature dedicated to and modeled after the canyons that run along the east side of the valley.

6.Wheeler Historic Farm
6351 South 900 East Murray, UT
http://www.wheelerfarm.com/

Offers lots of beautiful background for your photos. Outside there are creeks with little bridges, buildings, wagons.... basically anything you would find on a farm! (There is $10 fee charge)

7.Canyons and city parks.

Of Course there are beautiful mountains around us and we need to take advantage of all this natural beauty that surround us! (some of the canyons do have a fee now, so keep that in mind)

Urban:

1.Downtown Salt Lake City

You can pick any spot in this great city for a backdrop. From the Temple Square to graffiti walls, to speeding train and parking garages. The sky is really the limit here.

2. Main Street Midvale
7700 South Main Street Midvale, UT

Perfect for that "simpler times" feeling. With an old-school movie cinema and several old store fronts, benches and street lamps, this place really brings the past to life.

3.The Capital Building 350 N. Main Street SLC

 http://www.utahstatecapital.utah.gov/

This majestic building offers so much. Beautiful architecture, details, staircases. Lots of opportunities to shoot indoors and outdoors. 

4. Trolley Square
About 500 South 700 East SLC, UT

This historic shopping center has cobbled streets and elegant iron staircases. Storefronts are well maintained and eye catching, allowing for great photos to be taken anywhere. Free parking! (suitable best for smaller family portrait or senior photos)

5. Studio Locations (From Layton to Draper)

If the weather is not friendly, there is no way to change plans of wait for it to get better, because there are lots of beautiful studios around the valley that could be an option for shooting indoors and get that homey feel without having your stressing out about cleaning your house for the session:) I thought I put it out there just in case.

Hope this list has been helpful and if it has please, give it some love, by liking it, commenting and sharing with family and friends in need!:)

Truth, senior pictures is a big deal. So, you booked your senior session. And what now? I think most would agree, that you would want to plan out your outfit. The best advice I would give is to be yourself. You outfit doesn't have to cost much or be super extravagant, unless, of course, it is what you want:) What you do want to consider is the setting of your session and the colors that will surround you so, you won't disappear, but stand out from the background. I suggest to bring two outfits to your senior portraits session. One outfit should be a little dressier than the other. That way you have a variety of photos.  

Another thing to consider is your hair an make up. The sky is the limit here as well. You can do your own make up and hair or you can hire a professional make up artist that would pamper you and make you feel and look amazing! The benefit of hiring a professional is that the MUA does make up that looks good on you AND on camera and can make it as bright or as natural as you wish. If you need a referral, let me know because I know a couple of artists. That being said, if you do your own make up that is fine too. My only caution would be don't experiment. Do as much or as little as you would normally do for a date night. No matter which route you take, you are beautiful!

The last thing, I hope you remember is to have fun. Yes, your senior pictures is kind of a big deal, but it should be a lot of fun, too. Don't worry about that you don't know how to stand or where to put your hands. That's what I'm for!:) Trust me that I will do my best to have you look as beautiful as you are and we will have fun together. You can always bring another person with that you feel comfortable around. It can be your mom, sister, or best friend. Just look at it as an adventure. A fun experience that comes with your senior year. It will be unforgettable, that I can promise.