Happy November my friends! I know it’s been a while since I’ve focused on this blog. I actually got so overwhelmed with the thought of catching up on all my sessions that were still on the “to blog” Trello board that I decided a fresh start was less of a daunting task for me. So, I went through it and did the unthinkable. I deleted all my old posts. Some would say that’s crazy. My SEO will probably tank because of it, but the work I was showcasing was outdated anyway and the data I had told me that the “look at this pretty session” sessions weren’t getting nearly as much traction as the posts I did that actually had some valuable content (For example, my tips for photographing Halloween like a Pro post).

That got me thinking. Why was I blogging sessions anyway? Yes, the SEO advantage of course, but that was really the only reason I could think of. If anyone wants to see my recent work, Instagram is really the place to go. Plus, if there were low views and minimal interaction with my blog posts, it wasn’t doing much for my SEO anyway. So here I was, adding another stressor into my life, another thing on the “to-do” list. For what? So, I’m not doing it anymore. I’m not going to blog sessions just because someone told me it’s what I am supposed to do. And my goodness, I feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulder already.

But I do love to write. And, let’s face it, I do want Google to find me relevant when others are searching for a photographer in the Orlando area, so I will still blog, but I’m going to start blogging in a different way than I have in the past. Useful, relevant content, that any mama can use. Not those who just choose me to take their family photos.

And speaking of family photos, I know pretty much everyone has plans to have them done within the next month. Gotta get that holiday card shot, right? I actually offer styling advice for all of my collections, because I so believe that outfits can make or break your photos.

Now, I’m going to stop rambling and get to the point. Here are four easy steps to perfect outfits!

Step 1: Dress mama first

Moms, dress yourself FIRST. I know we always put ourselves last in nearly everything we do in our lives. And, sometimes you see a cute outfit for the kids and can’t help but hit the “add to cart” button. But I’m telling you, make yourself a priority here and find something that YOU feel beautiful in. If you’re not sure where to start, start thinking about the areas of your body you like. Do you have killer legs but feel self conscious about your belly? Do you have amazing toned arms, but hate your legs (GUILTY!!!). Do NOT. I repeat, DO NOT dress yourself in something that you are not comfortable in. If you don’t feel amazing and beautiful in your outfit, it will show in the photos.

I, personally, am a huge fan of long flowy dresses on mamas. There are so many options, and to be honest you can find them super cheap. This is one of my favorite recent finds from Amazon!

Ok so mama is done. She found a dress that she loves, and feels sexy and beautiful in.

Step 2: Next up are the kiddos (sorry dad, you’re last)

Now comes the fun part — dressing your little darlings. First thing you need to do is find something that coordinates with the color(s) in mom’s outfit. The goal here is not to match — but to find something with complementing colors. This little dress from Old Navy would be the perfect choice for a little girl. Mustard and burgundy go great together, and — bonus — there is a touch of burgundy in the dress too. This will look great as a stand-alone outfit, and also adorable for the mommy and me shots too. There is also another color we can add to the palate — a light blue — perfect for dressing another sibling or dad. Definitely a winner!

If you have more than one child, use the same concept described above to dress them. Think coordinating, not matching. So, let’s say you have a little boy also. This combo here would be perfect. The denim top has some of the same light-blue tones in the florals of his sibling’s dress. Add a pair of khaki pants and it looks perfect to me!

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Oh, one huge thing to note. If mom is in a pattern, don’t put kids in a pattern too. I suggest no more than one pattern per family. Otherwise, it looks too busy.

Step 3: Finally dad’s turn

Mom is done, kids are done, now it’s the easy part. Honestly, most of my dads end up finding something that’s already in their closet, so I would for sure recommend starting there instead of going shopping. So far, our color combo is burgundy and mustard with hints of blues. Here are a few things to consider.

Do not dress dad in the same color top as mom. This will end up looking too “matchy matchy” in the couples shots.
At the same time, do not dress dad identical to any little guys in the photos. This is for the same reason — when we break away to do shots of dad/kids alone you won’t want them looking like twinsies.

So with this particular family combo I’m working on, I think I’m going to work off the blues and mustards. A pair of dark navy jeans and a mustard top (also from Old Navy) look perfect to me!

Step 4: Shoes and accessories

Shoes and accessories come last in my opinion. Consider appropriate footwear for where you are shooting (if we’re going to a big open field, I’d avoid sandals because of ants, etc.) I love a little headband or bow on a girl. Bowties are also adorable little touches for the guys. (In this look, a burgundy bow tie would be perfect!)