SPOKANE PHOTOGRAPHY | ADVENTURE FAMILY SESSION
I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of tired of traditional family photography. Of course there’s always a place for photos where everyone is dressed perfectly and smiling at the camera, but sometimes it’s good to have fresh ideas and have pictures taken that align with your family.
If you have a family like mine, you are outside all the time, playing in the dirt. Maybe you ruck, or mountain bike, or rock climb with your family instead of going to the movies. It’s time that someone offers photography sessions for families like ours. Families that play outside.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FAMILY PHOTOS FOR FAMILIES THAT LIVE ON THE WILD SIDE
7 tips to look slimmer in photos: For Dad
Wear clothes that fit comfortably.
It’s important to be comfortable when having family photos taken. Choose clothing that fits comfortably and is not oversized or over tight. When we want to feel slim, we often choose items that are either too tight or too loose and when taking pictures, we want to avoid both of those things. Choose something that fits appropriately. Comfortable is confident.
Wear a collared, button up shirt.
Here are my tips. Wear a collared, button up shirt that is either short sleeved or long sleeved with the sleeves rolled up to expose the forearms. The collar helps to elevate the look of the outfit and adds visual interest above the waist. A top with buttons down the center has a similar effect, in that it draws the eye to the center and breaks up the waistline, creating a slimming appearance. If the weather is chillier, a sweater, thermal, or quarter zip wool pullover is perfect. Thicker fabrics tend to be more flattering and concealing when done correctly and photograph very nicely.
Avoid plaid and stripes.
Plaid and stripes can create visual effects known as moire to photographers which can be unflattering, to avoid this dress in solid colors or fine print patterns. Choosing items with interesting knitting or stitch patterns will add texture to make up for the lack of patterns. Bold patterns should always be avoided in photos, because they are quite distracting from the people and will accentuate curvier figures in the wrong ways.
Full Length Pants.
Full length pants are much more slimming than shorts- here’s why. There is no taper to the eye when looking at shorts, they’re boxy and cut off at areas where a photographer usually wouldn’t crop a photo, which draws the eye to that area. Creating the appearance of an egg on toothpicks, as a general rule, I recommend avoiding shorts for everyone in photos.
No denim. Wear Khakis or Chinos.
Styling Denim in photos can be tricky, no matter who is wearing it. The wrong wash or color of denim can reflect light in unflattering ways, so it’s best to avoid it when trying to look slimmer. Elevate your wardrobe with khakis or chinos in a brown/ tan color.
Wear Nice Shoes.
I bet you weren’t expecting this one. I once was told you can tell everything you need to know about a person, based on the shoes they choose, and frankly it’s subtle, but true. Choosing nice shoes and ditching your sneakers will elevate the look of your wardrobe and create a slimming effect. The shoes don’t have to be expensive, but they do need to look nice. I personally like oxfords, they come in many shapes and colors and also many price points.
Wear a belt.
The last tips I have is to wear a belt. It just adds a finishing touch to an outfit and defines the waistline. A belt gives the eye peace when looking at an outfit, because it clearly defines top and bottom.
Hopefully this helps you dress confidently for your family photos. It’s my goal to make family photoshoots enjoyable for dads. I find that most dads have more fun when they feel like they look good. Who doesn’t like a confidence boost?
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out or leave a comment :)
How to get authentic looking photos
Gone are the days of photos where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera. Let’s be honest, who wants to pose stiffly in front of the camera for an hour? The answer is: no-one. Everyone wants to know how to get authentic looking photos from their photographer- photos of their real family, on a real outing, to put up on their walls as a reminder of the special bond their family shares. I’m a lifestyle photographer in Spokane, Washington and I’m here to tell you how to do it.
Book a lifestyle photographer.
Lifestyle photographers sit comfortably in the middle of portrait photography and documentary photography. Portrait photography is the traditional, stiff, awkward posing probably in a studio with flashes. Documentary photography or street photography is what journalists do- they don’t change anything about what is happening in front of them and just take the picture. Our work as lifestyle photographers is lightly posed or more like prompted. We tell you what to do with your hands, but we don’t force you to sit in awkward positions. We may tell you to do things like, hold hands with your family and dance in a circle. Our way of posing creates flattering images that are also true to life. You will hold your baby the way you would naturally hold your baby at home when no one is watching, not just how we told you to do it.
Dress like yourself.
The best way to get authentic and natural photos is to dress how you would actually dress. Now, I’m not saying to wear sweatpants. Think of your best self. Maybe how you would dress on an evening you were going out on a date with your spouse or to brunch and a farmers market with the girls. My husband is still trying to convince me that he can pull off Carhart work pants photos, not likely and I’ll never allow it, but I do allow him to wear a brand of clothing that he usually would wear that is a little more upscale.
Dress in nothing that is comfortable for the season. No need to freeze in late fall photos, wear a sweater and or layers of clothing.
Be comfortable and be you! This will give you more confidence in your photos and allow you to relax more. You’ll also feel like yourself when you get the photos back and be proud to hang them on the wall.
Act like yourself.
I never want to make anyone feel like they need to be anything other than who they are. If you don’t like to smile, you don’t have to! If you are more of a serious family, that’s great. If you and your spouse are highly affectionate, I love that! Be true to you. This is photography, not theatre. The more true to yourself that you are, the more you’re going to love your photos.
Feeling ready to book your family photos? I’d love to talk to you!