I don't know about you, but my 1st thought when i prepare for my own family pictures is: "Oh no! What should I wear?!" I found the following article and thought I would copy and paste it, just to help give some ideas. This by NO MEANS is the only way to go! On the contrary, the possibilities are endless! This "rule" is just a common & classy way to coordinate when you are taking group/family pictures.
“Three Colors + POP” rule:
1. Pick three colors (one being a neutral) and put together outfits with those colors only. More than three colors can seem a bit busy. For example: navy blue (dark wash blue jeans), gray, and mustard yellow. Neutrals include black, white, gray, khaki, etc.
2. Add in an unexpected POP of color. Example, a fun bright color headband for the girls or a bright, chunky necklace for the matriarch. Be aware that this POP will become a focal point in the picture, so I wouldn’t advise adding this color in an area that you don’t want others to look at too closely.
Other tips:
1. Think coordinating, not matching. Again, unless you want your family picture to look straight out of 1990, try to not match outfits exactly (although sometimes there is nothing cuter than kids, all in matching outfits, it's not quite as cure with adults...).
2. Try and pick colors that complement the surrounding environment. The fall brings lots of gorgeous warm tone to mind: brick red, burnt orange, mustard yellow, hunter green. The spring brings fun, popsicle and sorbet colors to mind.
*If you want to take this one step further (if you plan on displaying this picture in your home), try and choose colors that will compliment your home decor.
3. Use your brightest colors as accessories. You don’t want the brightest colors detracting from the most important part of the picture: the PEOPLE!
4. It is ok to mix solids and simple patterns. I know a lot of photographers might argue with me on this one, but I like to think that SIMPLE patterns add interest and texture to a picture. That's why it helps to go with a color scheme and not have a strict 1-2 color rule.
“Three Colors + POP” rule:
1. Pick three colors (one being a neutral) and put together outfits with those colors only. More than three colors can seem a bit busy. For example: navy blue (dark wash blue jeans), gray, and mustard yellow. Neutrals include black, white, gray, khaki, etc.
2. Add in an unexpected POP of color. Example, a fun bright color headband for the girls or a bright, chunky necklace for the matriarch. Be aware that this POP will become a focal point in the picture, so I wouldn’t advise adding this color in an area that you don’t want others to look at too closely.
Other tips:
1. Think coordinating, not matching. Again, unless you want your family picture to look straight out of 1990, try to not match outfits exactly (although sometimes there is nothing cuter than kids, all in matching outfits, it's not quite as cure with adults...).
2. Try and pick colors that complement the surrounding environment. The fall brings lots of gorgeous warm tone to mind: brick red, burnt orange, mustard yellow, hunter green. The spring brings fun, popsicle and sorbet colors to mind.
*If you want to take this one step further (if you plan on displaying this picture in your home), try and choose colors that will compliment your home decor.
3. Use your brightest colors as accessories. You don’t want the brightest colors detracting from the most important part of the picture: the PEOPLE!
4. It is ok to mix solids and simple patterns. I know a lot of photographers might argue with me on this one, but I like to think that SIMPLE patterns add interest and texture to a picture. That's why it helps to go with a color scheme and not have a strict 1-2 color rule.