9 Tails Photography

Find coordinating colors instead of matching everyone.  Choose 2 or 3 different colors that look good together and have everyone wear them.  Expert tip: look at coordinating paint pallets on Pinterest to choose a great color scheme!  Your friends and family will be so impressed with your fashion sense.

Consider your home decor and what will look good on your walls.  When in doubt, neutrals look great anywhere (black, grey, white, tan, brown, etc.).

Patterns are fine for individual pictures but limit them in group settings.  Too many people wearing patterns can be overwhelming and your eye will be drawn to the clothing instead of the faces.

Avoid logos, characters, graphics, and labels in group pictures.  They can be distracting and become outdated quickly.

The more people we're photographing, the less outfits we can fit in.  For one or two children, we can do 2 to 3 outfits in a session.  For a family of 4 or 5, 2 outfits might be possible.  Families any larger than that should plan on 1 outfit.  

If your size group allows, I encourage you to bring a few outfits.  Your photos will have more variety and personality.  

Layers are great because you can get a lot of variety without needing to change.  Things like jackets, scarves, and shawls are also great for unique poses.

Yes.  Don’t forget about the shoes when planning what to wear.  Find shoes that really compliment the outfit.  If you do forget, no sweat; we will work around it. Sometimes barefoot is super cute anyway.

If your location will involve a lot of walking around, make sure you wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in.  If you want to be wearing high heels in your photos, bring some slip on shoes also so that you can swap back and forth. 

Accessorize!  Not only do accessories make your photos uniquely you, but they also add a lot of visual interest to the photo.  Hats, jewelry, scarves, hair accessories, colorful socks, and funky belts are just a few ideas.

For younger kids, bring things that are special to them. Favorite toys, books, costumes, etc. can all be incorporated and make for great photos!

You might also want to bring any products you'll need to touch up, like hairspray, brushes, lipstick, etc.

If you have a special place in mind, let me know.  Otherwise, I can help you choose one based on your style and interests.

Think about a location that represents you: a horse farm, downtown, an old family barn, etc.  We will discuss where you want to go when you book.  If you need ideas, I can offer some as well. 

Consider your location when selecting your outfits.  A timeless or rustic look is great at a farm; bright colors really pop in urban settings; or go for a retro look if we're going somewhere classic.  Try to match the style of the location.  

Also consider the background of the location and avoid matching it.  Greens will blend into grass and gardens and reds and browns may camouflage you into brick walls or barns. 

The best pictures come when everyone is relaxed and having fun.  Make it fun for the kids.  Don't stress out as it will just stress them out. 

Act naturally.  Yes, easier said than done, I know; but try to just relax.  Some of the sweetest images come from families when they're caught off-guard and are just interacting with each other as they normally do.

Bribery helps too.