We exist in a world of deadlines, schedules and never-ending to-do lists.
A photo session with me is a chance to stop, pause, and step back from life’s daily pressures - a chance to turn down the background noise and truly be with the people you treasure.
Whether it’s in a cosy, ever-so-slightly messy corner of your home, or out on your favourite street in Hong Kong - this is not a typical photo shoot.
This is you and your little tribe, making magic, which I’ll turn into a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation.
ASK ME ANYTHING
A shoot with me is:
- Prompted, not posed
- Tailored for even the least cooperative of family members
- Completely unique (because no two cuddles are the same)
So come as you are.
Bring your emotions and personalities and quirks. Don’t put off the gift of a lifetime because she’s too camera shy, he’s too grumpy, or you’re waiting for your summer body to arrive.
Life is happening now, and one day you’ll want to remember all of this. The messy, complicated, joyful warmth of being alive together in this moment.
What to wear:
Not sure how to dress for your photography session? Here’s my step-by-step guide:
1. DRESS FOR THE LOCATION.
Before we even get to the clothing, talk to me about location. Once you’ve got an idea in mind, I’ll help guide you on what to wear. No-one needs to be wearing stilettos at a picnic.
2. START WITH THE BOSS LADY’S OUTFIT.
Women’s clothing tends to be more colourful and printed, so your outfit is a great starting point. My best advice is to choose a dress or skirt that you already love (for instant confidence!) that’s made from high-quality fabric.
3. CHOOSE A COLOUR PALETTE.
Next, select 2-3 colours that will coordinate with the main outfit. Warmer colours will give your photos a softer look, while vivid colours will result in brighter photos. Try to select muted versions of the colours you want - anything that’s too bold can be distracting in the photos.
4. COORDINATE, DON’T MATCH.
Choose outfits that complement each other but are not overly matchy-matchy. Avoid wearing the same colour shirt as your partner, for example - this is not the early 2000s. Choosing primarily solid colours with a few subtle patterns, layers and textures will create depth, but subtlety is key - your family is the focus, not your clothes!
5. FITTED = FLATTERING.
Although flowy clothes may be in style, they aren’t always flattering in photos. Select clothes that are neither too baggy nor too tight, and try to create a balance between your upper and lower half.
6. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER.
If anyone is uncomfortable in their clothing during the photo session, it’ll quickly show up in the photos. Pack sweaters if the weather might turn chilly, or dress in layers that can be taken off throughout the day.
7. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE SHOES.
Avoid bright white or athletic sneakers, and chuck the cartoon characters and sparkles. Leather shoes, casual sneakers (like Converse), sandals and wedges are all great options. If it’s tough to get the shoes right, consider going barefoot in the shoot.
8. SHOOTING AT HOME? INCORPORATE YOUR DECOR STYLE.
You’re going to want to decorate your walls with the printed photos we take together (obviously! They’re going to be amazing!), so think about your interior style. If your home decor is muted, don’t wear bright outfits that might clash.
9. ALWAYS CHOOSE CLASSIC LOOKS.
Believe me, you don’t want to be cringing over your outfits in 15 years’ time. (Remember the giant puff sleeves at every 80s wedding…?).
10. INVOLVE YOUR KIDS IN THE PROCESS.
They’ll be so much more excited about family photos if they’re excited about their outfits. Say no to the princess dress, sure, but YES to their favourite colour. Happy kids = happy photos.
11. STICK TO ONE OUTFIT PER PERSON.
Leave the outfit changes for the Oscars. Kids hate changing clothes and can get grumpy quickly, and if everyone’s rushing to switch outfits every 10 minutes, we’ll lose precious shooting time. If you have a drooling baby, use a bib - or change them into their outfit just before we begin.
12. BE YOURSELVES!
Don’t dress your family like a Pinterest board just because you found an amazing idea. Your photos should represent all of you, just as you are - there’s so much beauty in your family’s authenticity, and if that means scrapping some of the tips in this list to remain true to your tribe’s vibe, then go right ahead and scrap ‘em.
On that note, I do have a Pinterest board of outfit inspiration for you ;)
Check it out here.
Ready to start planning your looks? There’s one last step I recommend. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of what to avoid in your outfit choices.
What not to wear:
OVERSIZED CLOTHING: Tent dresses, baggy jeans and big T-shirts just aren’t flattering.
THIN STRIPES OR PLAIDS: These get distorted in photos and can look like zig-zags.
FORMALWEAR: If you’re at home or outdoors, a suit or formal dress might feel out of place.
MEN’S SHORTS: Hairy male legs can distract in a photo - pants are best!
BRIGHT WHITE: It washes out most complexions. Choose ivory or cream instead.
BOLD / DARK COLOURS: These appear black in photos, creating an overly dark feel in photos.
NEON COLOURS: These reflect onto your face, causing weird skin tones in the final photos.
LOGOS: Any text, even if it’s a tiny logo, is distracting.
STRAPLESS / SLEEVELESS TOPS: Unless you really love to show your arms (you go, girl!), sleeves are most flattering.
UNDERSHIRTS / ATHLETIC SHIRTS: Guys, say no to undershirts that poke out of your shirt, and HELL NO to your quick-dry athletic shirt. Choose a timeless shirt in a classic fabric.
LOW-CUT / OVERLY TIGHT SHIRTS: These can shift during the shoot and reveal things you never intended to reveal.
BABY OUTFITS THAT ALLOW DIAPERS TO PEEK OUT: Enough said.
TRANSITIONAL LENSES: If you usually wear glasses, please do wear them. But polarized or transitional lenses can cover your eyes during the shoot.
If all else fails, try to remember that your photo session is a moment of memory-making.
Do you want to look at your photos and remember how sweaty you felt in that fabric, or how your kiddos were complaining about tight shoes?
Choose outfits that will help you forget what you’re wearing.
Every family is beautiful, with all their quirks and imperfections. Embrace the photo session, let go of stress (your kids can sense it) and just enjoy a rare moment of uninterrupted one-on-one time with your people.
Then, when you look at the photos in 15 years’ time, you’ll see the joy, warmth and fun that you remember cherishing on the day. (And hopefully no puff sleeves).