What to wear on a family documentary photo-shoot…
A few thoughts
Let’s be honest from the get go, i’m not about to tell anyone what to wear or judge you for not having a matching family set of khaki pants and crisp white shirts perfectly ironed and ready for the shoot, absolutely the opposite in fact.
Wardrobe choices on the day often become part of the story so the most important thing for me is that you dress like yourself and feel comfortable. If you wake up on the day of the shoot and think, ‘hmm I feel like Spiderman today’, go for it, get that blue and red costume out of the wardrobe and off we go!
Here’s a few suggestions to help you get ready (take them or leave them - the rule is that there are no rules okay?!):
Dress comfortably: Probably not advised to dress up to the nines (as my dad would say), comfort is key during a family documentary photoshoot, when everyone feels at ease in their clothing, they can focus on enjoying the moment and not worrying if their outfit will get covered in paint or bolognese (because likely it will).
Be yourself: There’s no need for matchy matchy or special outfits, honestly whilst these may look nice, kids really don’t appreciate being forced to wear a certain ‘special jumper that Grandma knitted’ and it may effect their mood for the shoot. Embrace individuality in clothing choices and allow each family member to be themselves, ok, maybe hide ‘that shirt’ that your partner wears that looks awful, then leave the rest to chance. What’s the worst that can happen?! Whether it's a mix of colours, textures, or styles, variety is the spice of life my friend and it will add visual interest and depth to the images, (and perhaps something to reminisce / chuckle about in 10 years time)!
Let the kids dress themselves. It can be so much fun when children are encouraged to express themselves, often this is where their individual personalities shine through, whether they choose colourful patterns, mismatched socks, or superhero & fairy costumes, letting them express themselves often empowers them, helps them feel more comfortable and tells an authentic story about who they are right now.
Who really cares: On the day of your shoot my focus is just all about you, how you connect with each other and what makes you unique as individuals and as a family unit. What you decide to wear isn’t really important in the grand scheme of things, the genuine moments of love, laughter, and togetherness are what define you and if everyone is just themselves, personality will shine through!
