If you follow me on Instagram (@emilyaclark), you know that I spent a good part of my Saturday shopping for outfits for our family pictures happening this week. (I’m so excited for our session with Lindsay Hart!) Coordinating outfits for seven people is not at the top of the list of my favorite things to do, but I am, by default, the family stylist. In case you have family photos coming up, here’s a look my process.
I went about it a lot like designing a room. I decided to look for an “inspiration” piece to get the rest of the plan started. First stop—the girls’ section at Target where I found this top with lots of great colors to pull from:
And, they had these matching corduroy bubble skirts in great Fall colors:
Luckily, my six-year-old is still small enough to wear a 5T so I was able to pull another outfit from the same collection for her:
Once these two outfits were settled, I started looking for other shades of the same colors to layer, and I mixed big and small prints (kind of like pillows). I ended up adding some navy to the mix to use as a neutral. This might look all neat and easy now, but I spent a good two hours walking back and forth between the different departments before I finally headed to Old Navy to finish up. Here’s a general idea of what the whole clan will wear:
I’m still a little undecided about what Mom and Dad are wearing but am thinking we’re going more neutral with something along the lines of this:
I still have about 24 hours to shop (and by that, I mean to find something else in my closet) if any of you fashionistas have other suggestions for me.
Don’t you love laying out outfits (and rooms) in Olioboard first to help you visualize?
Such cute outfits. I love those bubble skirts. I really like the mixing and matching of colors and prints. Can't wait to see the photos. {And yes. . .I lay things out across our bed for days!}
ReplyDeleteSuch great outfits! Love those bubble skirts. You look gorgeous in bright scarves, too.
ReplyDeleteAgree! A scarf for you could add nice texture. I'm sure the photos will be gorgeous regardless!
DeleteI love the outfits! Love the touch of navy. I also agree with a scarf or a colored belt or a necklace or even a cardi for you. :) Love Lindsay's pictures.
DeleteLooks awesome so far! Can't wait to see the final pictures!
ReplyDeleteGreat and timely post! I'm just about ready to start the same process for our family photo shoot scheduled for the end of this month, but hoping I can do it with items alread in our wardrobe. Letting your kids be the star is great. Love Cassie's idea of a bright scarf for you though!
ReplyDeleteLove the kiddo's outfits! I work for a photographer as a designer & assistant photographer, so here is my 2 cents: for your outfit don't be shy with accessories. A bold necklace always looks so great. Layers always read well in photos too. Also, always do heals, makes everyone look taller & thinner! Here is our pinboard with more tips & inspiration - https://pinterest.com/tishashuffield/what-to-wear-photo-session/
ReplyDeleteThanks--will check it out :)
DeleteCute outfits! Never thought to use Olioboard for outfits! I just finished a board for my master bedroom. Love Olioboard!
ReplyDeletehttp://fitmommatobe.blogspot.com/2012/09/master-bedroom-mood-board.html
Very cute & love the olioboard idea! Good luck with the pictures
ReplyDeleteLove this mix of patterns and colors. We haven't had a family photo shoot since my girl was 18 months old - she's 6 now, ummmm.......i guess I need to get on that ;)
ReplyDeleteYou already have the cutest family, and now the cutest outfits for fall. Best of luck with the shoot. I can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeletexo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Can't wait to see the family all decked out for fall ... please do share! Mom and Dad look like they are going to be stylin' too!! xo
ReplyDeleteThis totally would've taken me two days, not two hours! You guys are going to look great!!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be darling! The colors are perfect together. Those skirts are too cute :) We did the same thing for our family photos- just coordinated colors but mixed a little print in there, too.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are of course going to look great but might I suggest a navy shirt for your husband? It will tie into your color scheme perfectly and white can sometimes wash people out. Just a suggestion ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks--I'm definitely open to suggestions for the two of us :)
DeleteGreat colors and outfits. I like that they all coordinate but dont match perfectly. I am not a fan of everyone in white shirts and jeans...that NEVER happens in real life-right?!One Easter when my boys were infants I matched their shirts to my husbands (without his knowing) and afterward he said "please never do that to me again"! A little to cutesy I guess!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your pics!
need a class on how to use the oliboard!! cute clothes
ReplyDeleteThe outfits look so cute,
ReplyDeleteAnna
I agree with the navy shirt for your husband to match the little ones outfits and if you could find a bold necklace in mustard or pink to coordinate with the girls outfits....I would probably put you in a white top and I brown boots....if you can't find a necklace to coordinate I would look for a scarf. Target has mustard color flats in the womens section and I think the outfits are casual enough to go with flats. I could seriously do this for a living....but alas I put my kids in matching dresses this past Sunday :)))))
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! I think I would put dad in a navy shirt and maybe find a great scarf to punch up your outfit. Can't wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteI think Navy shirt for your husband is the way to go & switch him to a pair of Khakis to keep that thread going. I think you should definitely do a statement piece (scarf or necklace) to make your outfit a little more special. Also, I would check out how your baby girl's yellow outfit looks against the shirt you're wearing since inevitably you'll be holding her in at least some of the pictures, maybe switch to a white shirt if you can pop in some accessory color. I"m sure they'll be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a lot of color! We too have family pics coming up..and I'm not happy :-( The photographer we're using (well OK...it's the one the church hired) suggests neutrals and not too much pattern. Yeah...that's my wardrobe mostly so I'm basically good to go.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fun with your beautiful family to have the same bottoms for all, and tops in just 2 or 3 different solid colors. One child wearing orange, one pink, etc. that sort of thing. Especially with a larger family, too many patterns might get a bit busy for a photo.
But then what the heck do I know? I'm dreading our family shoot...and it's just me and hubby now! Haha!
love your choices. i just spent my morning doing the exact same thing!
ReplyDeleteI have been gearing up for family photos the last month and picked up that same yellow dress and yellow skirt and similiar target shirt. . We have 5 kids also and it is a pain to figure out so many outfits to coordinate. I am wearing a jean shirt dress from Jcrew with a mustard bubble necklace. I added gray mostly because it was difficult to find outfits for my 2 boys. I still haven't figured out what my husband is going to wear.
ReplyDeleteI have a yellow bubble necklace, too--maybe I'll go that route . . . I should've just let you plan out our outfits :)
DeleteGood luck not with the outfits because I know that those will turn out as fabulous as everything else you do..but with getting everyone to cooperate for pictures! That's always more stressful than the clothes! ;)
DeleteSuper cute and pulled together!! I just adore your blog! Can't wait to see the pictures.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Melissa
Those bubble skirts are adorable! Good luck with the pictures!
ReplyDeletelove these! i have the turquoise baubble skirt from target for my daughter and it's the best ever. love how you've coordinated all of these outfits for the kids. they blend so well but mix and match patterns!
ReplyDeletewanted to mention that I have a give away over on my blog (my first ever) that ends this sunday. it's for a waylande gregory turquoise ceramic bowl (over $100 value). would love for you to hop over and enter...and share with your readers if you'd like! http://vividhuehome.blogspot.com/2012/09/vivid-hues-waylande-gregory-give-away.html best, heather
a photographer i have used put together lots of super cute outfit ideas: http://imagesofgracephoto.com/blog/what-to-wear/
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great guide. I'm going to post the link to my Facebook page :)
DeleteI love the bright colors. I really need to get my family's wardrobe together for pics, too. I'm dreading it!
ReplyDeletei would wear a brighter top for you...pink maybe...the top you have there is a little muted. OR you could also wear a white top and then a punch of color in a necklace...that way the kids stand out against you and your hubby's white.
ReplyDeleteI started with an inspiration piece for this fall's family photos, too. It worked well... I think. We have not seen the photos yet, but the outfits looked good lying together on the couch. The inspiration piece was my daughter's dress. The skirt had several colors to pull from and the rest of us wore solid colors that matched.
ReplyDeletesoooooooooooooooo adorable!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete