Family of five photographed at the studio in Lisburn

Styling for timeless family portraits

Tips for a successful portrait session

Where to start

The art of a co-ordinated wardrobe

Clothing plays a bigger part in a family portrait than most people expect. Co-ordinated outfits bring a visual harmony to the photographs and quietly say something about your family being a unit.

The trick is striking a balance between everyone matching and everyone still looking like themselves. Here's how we'd go about it.

The do's

What works

Colours that sit well together

Pick a palette that suits your family and let everyone work within it. Different shades of the same colour family give a portrait depth without anyone clashing. You don't all need to be in identical clothing, though sometimes that works beautifully. White t-shirts and blue jeans is a classic for a reason.

Texture and layers

Different textures give an image something to look at without pulling focus. Soft knits, a subtle check, a bit of lace detail. Interest without noise.

Classic over current

Trends come and go, but a portrait is forever. Clothes with a classic feel are what keep a photograph from looking dated in ten years, and this is one you'll have on the wall a long time.

Family of four in cream, beige and denim
One palette, different textures. Nobody disappears and nobody dominates.

The don'ts

What to avoid

Loud patterns and logos

Bold patterns, big logos and graphic tees pull the eye away from faces, which is where it should be. They're also the fastest way to date a portrait.

Neon

Bright neon casts colour onto skin and is jarring in an image. Stick to colours that flatter everyone.

Mixing dark and light

This is the one people don't expect. If everyone is in dark colours and one person is in white, that person will dominate the photograph. It breaks the harmony of the group, and it's very hard to undo afterwards.

Family in clashing colours, one in white and one in dark green
Colours pulling apart
The same family photographed in shades of blue
The same family, one palette
Same family, different clothes. On the left your eye goes straight to the white and the red. On the right you see four faces.
Family wearing busy patterned shirts
Patterns take over
The same family in plain blue and denim
Simple lets you see them
Stripes and busy patterns never quite work in a fine art portrait. Keep it simple and you'll be glad of it in ten years.

Shades of blue

We recommend whites and neutrals a lot, but blue photographs beautifully, especially when everyone keeps to similar tones. It holds together without looking matchy. So if your wardrobe isn't beige, don't worry.

Family in shades of denim against a navy background

Bring your own

Props make a portrait yours

Clothing sets the tone, but props are what turn a lovely photograph into unmistakably your family. We genuinely love it when people bring their own.

They put your personality in the frame

A child's favourite toy, a family heirloom, the dog, the uniform someone is proud of. These say something about you that a plain portrait can't.

They settle everyone down

Children especially relax when something familiar is in the room, and relaxed children photograph far better than nervous ones.

They tell the story of this particular year

The thing they wouldn't be parted from at four is the detail you'll point at when they're twenty.

Ideas worth bringing

  • A favourite toy, teddy or doll
  • Dress-up outfits, whatever they're into at the minute
  • Sports kit, a ball, a club jersey
  • Uniforms and work gear you're proud of
  • Musical instruments
  • The dog, if you have one

Just mention what you're bringing when you book so we can allow the time.

Three generations in football shirts with the league trophy Wee girl on her pink trike Girl playing her violin Wee boy carrying his teddy Couple photographed in fire service kit Baby on a rocking horse Four children in GAA jerseys with a football Girl in a ballet pose Newborn asleep with a football scarf and ball Wee girl running in a superhero costume Three supporters in club shirts with a signed ball Boy with his dinosaur toys Wee boy in a pirate costume Boy playing with his superhero figures Wee boy on his toy tractor Newborn asleep beside a ukulele Baby holding an engraved hurl Family in blue with the family dog Boy in a hurling helmet striking a sliotar Baby chewing a tartan sash

A bit of inspiration

Families who got it right

Have a look through these before you start pulling things out of the wardrobe. None of them are matching exactly. They've simply stayed within one palette and kept it simple.

Family of five lying together in creams and white Three generations in deep plum on grey Family of four in white t-shirts and jeans Family in cream and white tones Family in white against a navy background Brother and sister in cream and brown Family of five in blues with their two dogs Mum and her wee girl in matching blues on navy Family of four in soft neutrals Two mums with their newborn, all in cream Mother and daughter in shades of pink Two sisters in matching denim dresses Family of four in browns and soft checks Family in cream and white against grey

Clothing is your partner in a family portrait. It should lift the photograph, not run it. Get it right and your outfits quietly tell the story of who you are, together and as individuals, in something you'll look at with love for years.

Still stuck? Have a look through our portfolio for ideas, or give us a ring and we'll talk it through.

Any questions? Ring 028 9460 0111
Helen McDaniel Portrait Studio
Unit 401, Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, 6 Enterprise Crescent, Lisburn BT28 2BY
028 9460 0111  ·  07988 264945  ·  helenmcdaniel.co.uk