Wednesday, December 3, 2014

What We Wore: Family Picture Style

Before I get to my regular post - I want to give a shoutout to my partner in crime, Dave.  Nine years ago today we left our wedding reception in his spotless, new BMW and tonight we're heading to dinner (alone!) in a minivan with goldfish in the seat creases and Little Einsteins Christmas playing in the backseat :)  Dave is selfless and loyal and committed and he is THE BEST partner I could ever ask for. 

When we selected our wedding verse we picked Matthew 7:25,  "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.".

  We got a couple of side eyes, as it's not your typical "Love is patient, love is kind sentiment", but it was important to us that the verse we picked represented our marriage and the commitment that we both had to building our marriage foundation on Christ.  We've had our share of gusty days and rain showers, and knowing that we're not going to crumble is an assurance I can't imagine not having.


Do we bicker? Sure.  I get overwhelmed at times and snap at Dave for stupid things like putting a sippy cup with the teensiest bit of milk in it back in the fridge and Dave gets frustrated with me for leaving all the lights on at all times - but at the end of the day we're partners in the truest sense of the world.  We pick up each other's slack, try to give each other the benefit of the doubt and accept each other - flaws and all.  Happy Anniversary to my very best friend! 

Now on to our regularly scheduled programming :)

About 2 weeks ago we had our family pictures taken and, after multiple requests, I'm finally biting the bullet and attempting to write a post about styling your family for pictures.  I am by NO MEANS any kind of expert on styling or photography - but I do think I have an "eye" for picking photo session outfits :)

I haven't shared my pics yet, just a few sneak peeks on Instagram like this one...

But here are a couple that my mom snapped to give y'all an idea of what we wore...

My tips are pretty basic - pick an outfit or color scheme that you love - and try to base everyone else's outfits off of that.  When we do Fall pictures I know that I'm going to want these in canvases and frames around my house, so I actually try to pick outfits that I think will look good with my house as well.  Crazy, I know.

Once you've picked your "central outfit" start looking for "basics" in the same color scheme.  I LOVE pattern (hello, Matilda Jane!), but in photos I prefer minimal pattern so that the people and not the clothes are the real focus.   The photos that I'm the happiest with are always the ones where we're wearing the least amount of pattern.  Another random tip is to shop at stores that carry clothes for kids through adults to get a good match.  For example - I bought Mason's vest and Dave's sweater from GAP at the same time which is why they match so well.  At GAP you can put a color name in the search bar and it will pull up everything they have in that "scheme" for men, women and kids. It takes some of the guess work out of color matching.


I like to make sure that no two kids are wearing the same color on top or bottom - that way no matter how they're arranged for a picture no one with the same color is right next to each other.

 Like most things I do, I love to layer :)  Throw a puffer vest on over a button down (it also breaks up some of the pattern), put a sweater over a shirt and make sure that the shirt underneath shows at the collar and cuffs.




Pick a "pop" color.  In this case it was the mustard. 


 Be comfortable!!!  Pick clothes that your kids can move freely in and clothes that don't bug them.

If I was planning pics for this month, here's an example of something I might put together...

Dave


Me

'Diana' Stretch Corduroy Skinny Pants (Regular & Petite)

Luke


Mason



Griffin
  

   

Speaking of pictures - we're doing some quick Santa pics with Narci this weekend and I have two options I'm considering.  Dave and I aren't in the pics.

Option 1
Also - Luke has a brown puffer vest I'd put over his chambray shirt
I realize that this goes against my "minimal pattern" rule.... BUT I know that I'll probably have these out at Christmas and so I'm going for "festive".


Option 2
Also - it's hard to tell - but GG's pants and Mason's sweater are navy.


Thoughts??? I'm leaning toward option 2 just because the "burgundy" in option 1 makes me nervous with a Santa Suit.  hahaha  

And just for fun, here are a few other "ensembles" we've worn for past photos :)



I'm feeling like this post has been a hot jumbled mess :)  Hopefully it answered a few of your questions or gave you a few ideas for pictures.  Happy Wednesday, Friends!!!
This post contains affiliate links, which just means that if you click on a link and purchase what I've linked to, I'll receive a commission. Thank you for reading and for supporting my blog!  Love y'all!

42 comments :

  1. Your family photos are beautiful! Thank you for sharing these ideas. Since you mentioned getting canvases made, I have a question: What do you do with the older canvases once more recent ones are printed? I imagine that with having family photos done every year, you must have quite a collection. Do you store them somewhere? I don't know if our family would have the space for that, but it would be so hard to get rid of them...

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    1. I haven't run into that problem quite yet :) I think this is our 7th family session and I always get one canvas made of our whole family and they're all hanging in the hallway that leads to our bedrooms. I have no clue what I'll do when we run out of room :)

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  2. The pictures turned out great! And happy anniversary, what a beautiful life you have created!!!!!

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  3. I'm getting my kiddos pictures done this weeken! And I'm struggling with their outfits. Thank you for your tips...I will be using them!

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  4. Love all of the outfits! You're really good at picking everything out.

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  5. Seriously you could start a business styling family photos! I've had the twins in matching outfits for family photos every time because finding coordinates for boys in the baby department is rough stuff. I have high hopes that once they fit into toddler sizes I'll be able to find better coordinating stuff.

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  6. I love this post! Thanks for sharing! I feel like I always stress out so bad over what to wear when it comes to family pictures!!

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  7. Happy Wednesday, Andrea! Your pictures always look beautiful! I would go with option two for the Santa pics. However, both are precious! Have a great day friend. xo

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  8. You did a great job!! Super Mommy!! And have tonight!

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  9. Option 2. Option 1 is a little too "dark" with the Santa suit.

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  10. You are so good at coordinating clothes! I have trouble coordinating just myself much less everyone else in my family. I love option 2. I think it will look really good with Santa's red suit!

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  11. LOVE option 2 - so cute and Griffin's outfit will pop more with Santa....so cute!!! Also, Happy Anniversary to you and Dave!!!!!

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  12. I also try to put us in clothes that match our house decor:-) These are great tips, thanks! (And I like option 1)

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  13. Happy anniversary!! It seems you hit the husband jackpot! I love your simple yet elegant and timeless wedding dress!

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  15. Where is your coat from? Love it!!!

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  16. I agree with option #2! the bright color on Griffin will really pop on Santa's lap. :)

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  17. I love option #2! The colors are bright and festive and will stand out against Santa's suit. You have such a great sense of style!

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  18. I second you on option 2! Santa is going to cover all the red you could possibly need!!

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  19. Wait???!!! There's an Einsteins Christmas??! My son is 10, and I swear I still miss Little Einsteins and The Backyardigans :-D

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  20. I love your color combos! I have a feeling you like mustard ;) All the combos look great!
    I would go with option #2 for your Santa photos :)

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  21. Happy Anniversary!!!
    Love your family photos! :)

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  22. Option #2 ;)
    Also, happy anniversary!!!
    Whitney

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  23. I'm loving Option #2. Also, I love the verse you chose for your wedding. I'm currently single and, Lord willing, I meet someone and get married (know anyone? ;) ) I really like how that verse applies to a Godly marriage. Christ is the only solid rock we can stand on! Thanks for sharing.

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  24. I love option #2! It's perfect! Happy anniversary!

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  25. LOVE option #2! Happy Anniversary!!
    Also, love your blog! It's given me so much inspiration and I just hope I can be an awesome mom like you some day :)

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  26. I absolutely love your blog. You are such an inspiration to me and I love how you keep it real! I am a Canadian reader and I find it neat that your from Canada too. God Bless!

    Also, I love option #2 for the Santa pictures!

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  27. Happy anniversary friend! I love you and Dave so much!! I'm so glad we're practically family :). And those pics that Kelly took are so good! I love them (crazy and all!)!!

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  28. Love your clothing options and the location of your pics!! Where is that road?? I've only lived in McKinney for just over a year and would love to take pics with that background! Thanks!

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  29. Love the verse, tips and option two!

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  30. Ha! I am just getting around to reading today, and I love that I sent you pics of outfits before I even saw this! I say option 2--P and GG can be twinkies and get a pic together since I will be doing my kids before yours. :)

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  31. I love option number 2 for Santa pics! :)

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  32. precious family! i love option two for the christmas photos. there's just something so sweet and "christmasy" about the white top of the SH dress. and against your kiddos dark hair? darling!
    but you can't go wrong. :)

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  33. how cute are you guys? happy anniversary!!

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  34. Option 2 definitely! AND the last photo in this post (mustard color) is fab tab u lous! I'm stealing that color scheme! Gorgeous! ;0)

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  35. PS....thank you for sharing your special verse in Matthew....I had to stop and open up Matthew and read the whole 7th chapter. It will be my focus as I finish out my week !

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  36. Oh my goodness! Great minds think alike. I literally JUST did this blog post two days ago! I am absolutely loving your recent color scheme for family pictures. It is SO similar to what we used, as well--I think we might be kindred spirits. ;-) Love your style! Just everything! I think I need to move south where it's more appropriate to dress girls up in frills, ruffles and huge bows. It's ridiculously cute!

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  37. I have twin boys. How would you dress them? The same outfit for the same color scheme?

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  38. This post is FANTASTIC. And you truly have a gift for styling outfits for pictures! You should do it for others in your spare time! :)

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