Angelsea Urban | Urban Studios

Have no fear – a new blog post is here to help you with this age old question: “What do I wear for my family portraits?”

I love to meet with clients before their session to discuss all the things they are thinking but often don’t ask for help with.

• What do we wear?
• Should we match each other?
• Should we have more than one outfit?

All great questions, and when you book your appointment to have your portraits taken I encourage you to take advantage of an optional design consultation to discuss this. It’s also a great opportunity to preview some products that you might be interested in, such as canvas wall prints. Shooting for canvases is very different than shooting for an album, or even digital files, and it’s helpful to know ahead of time what the final portraits will be used for. But alas… that is a deeper topic for another day.

So… WHAT do you wear?

Here is my MOST recommended DO and DON’T – and it’s pretty much the only ones you need:

• DO try to match the environment in which you will be photographed. 

This is so helpful to be sure that there are no distractions in the photograph and YOU will be focus of this portrait, not your bright paisley pattern blouse at the beach, or in the studio on a white background. Neutral, textured solids are your very best friend.

• DO think about where these portraits will be displayed. 

Will these portraits be made into large canvases for your family room? What colors are in that room? Is it burgundy and hunter green? Perhaps a park session in the fall would be the best fit for your family. Is it white and pale green? Perhaps an afternoon session on the beach would perfect for your color palette. 

• DON’T be SO matchy-matchy that it looks like a 1990s department store photo ad for $9.99 per sheet.

You have commissioned custom photography for a reason, take full advantage of all the artist has to offer, and that includes helping you design a color palette that will reflect an heirloom piece that you will be proud to display in your home for generations. 

FOR EXAMPLE:

Sample One:

This little beauty was wearing a pastel pink ballerina dress. It was absolutely perfect for her family’s sunset portraits on the beach. Pastels pinks, blues, creams, greys. These are all colors we will see at this location, during this time slot. Not only does her outfit blend in perfectly with the environment, the dress itself offer additional whimsy that captures a perfect time in her life. And then of course, we HAD to splash around and play in the water, because THAT LIGHT! I couldn’t pass it up!

Sample Two:

A stunning blue designer gown for this gorgeous mama to be is a show stopper. It doesn’t have to be all kacki and denim and sweaters. Many of my clients also hire our in house makeup artist to have their makeup and hair done professionally for their portraits to take the guess work out of make up for photo shoots. This stunning gown, paired with the steel grey and blue jersey skies was a perfect match and complement for both this beautiful mama and the seashore. Check out rent the runway if you want to wear a $1,000 dress but don’t want to pay for it. Many dresses can be rented for a weekend for only $65!
Sample Three:

Casual morning attire. This morning portrait session was created in my residential studio with a delicate champagne lace and chiffon robe I keep on my studio rack from Homebodii. I am in the process of having a full rack of garments to choose from for this very occasion – when clients just want to arrive in their pajamas, be professionally styled, made up and photographed without all of the guesswork. Sip your coffee and my creative team and I will do the rest. I love how this robe photographs against the cream background with natural night. It creates such a lovely and delicate portrait I know this child will love of it’s mother someday.
Remember: Pinterest is your friend! If this advice still makes you ponder – just type in “What to wear for a family beach session” or “What to wear for a family park session” or where ever your location is. Here are just a few examples I found doing a quick search that I would give you a big high five for finding! All of these options would work just perfectly well!

So don’t be shy – schedule a design appointment before your session date and we can go over all of these information over coffee or fresh mint tea!

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Angelsea Urban is a entrepreneur and photographer helping families to nourish their homes, relationships and businesses through meaningful portrait photography, business consulting and management for entrepreneurs, teaching practical stewardship and home management systems, and creating simple products and tools that maximize the quality of our lives. Her unique photography work focuses on Redefining the Family Portrait Experience by telling the story of  family through personalized foundations while creating a space to strengthen family bonds throughout the experience. As a certified tax professional and seasoned business consultant, Angelsea has helped the careers of photographers, restaurateurs, musicians and general small business owners through teaching, workshops, coaching, and hands on consulting. She has photographed for families, brides, Bravo TV, NFL Films, and more and has been published in multiple blogs and magazine print for her work in photography and in strategic business management. Angelsea teaches and photographs throughout the United States, and resides with her husband of 17 years, their two children, and their barely 3 pound Yorkie near Long Beach Island, New Jersey.  

To book your session with Angelsea Urban, please visit www.angelseaurban.com

For education and consulting opportunities, please visit www.urbanrg.com

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