Coordinating a large group family session can be quite the undertaking. Once you have everyone committed to showing up to the same location on the same day now you are hoping they will look good too!
Here are some tips to helping:
Create a color palette. Where will you want these pictures to hang in your home? Do you have a decor style you’d like to compliment? Do you like subtle earth tones or do you love bold colors?
Be direct but flexible. Give your family some guidance by showing them the colors you’d like them to choose clothing from. Some people create Pinterest pages for suggestions or just give a simple color palette. I’ve even helped families by having them send me photos and reacting to them to help narrow down the selections. For small children, I have a variety of clothing that I can bring to the session.
Try to coordinate not match. If you love the outdated look of all white shirts and blue jeans, try to move your thoughts forward to current trends of coordination vs. matching. Having all the girl cousins in the same dress is fun, but then build off of that for others in the group.
Make sure everyone is comfortable. If grandpa is in a tux and and he is used to wearing overalls then he will be very uncomfortable. Same with babies. Skip the frilly dresses if if will just make them uncomfortable in photos.
What is your background. If you plan to be together outside with all greens, consider not choosing green as your main color so you don’t blend in.
Overall, the best part is that you are all together for photos. These memories will always be there!
