If you are conflicted on how to dress for your family portrait below are a few guidelines.
Wear solid colored clothing so that we see all of your faces and no one person stands out. If you wear stripes or flowers, you will stand out from the rest of your group.
Choose muted tones that are a bit subdued so that you are the subject not your clothes and you don’t stand out from the group. Bright colors project (especially reds, oranges, and yellows), which also makes you look larger.
Choose similar tones for your top and bottom (both dark or both light) so that one doesn’t look bigger than the other. White top, dark pants will make your top look bigger. White pants, the dark top will make your bottom look bigger.
Choose 1-3 colors for your group portrait, ones with similar tones that go nicely together and have everyone work within that color palette. For example dark green, navy, and burgundy – all dark jewel tones or a great option for the beach is pastels colors: pink, light blue and light green. So that we see the people first and your portrait looks stunning. Wedding group photos look so good because they’re all wearing the same colors and the people stand out!
Choose long pants for men/ladies or a skirt below the knee for ladies so that your legs don’t take attention from your faces, and you will be able to sit and bend without showing too much leg
Keep jewelry simple and minimalistic because too much draws attention from your face.
Some of my favorite local Charleston, SC clothing stores are:
Style Dwell - a women's clothing store on James Island
Tres Carmen - a women's clothing store on Kiwaha Island and James Island
Half Moon Outfitters - a men and women's clothing store in West Ashley, Downtown Charleston, and in Mt. Pleasent
M. Dumas & Sons - a mens clothing store in downtown Charleston
Angles and Rascals - a children's consignment shop in Mt. Pleasent. They usually have a healthy selection of smock dresses and name brand clothes. I always pop in when I'm on that side of town.