How to dress dad for family photos | Spokane family photographer
Flattering Outfit Tips for dad in family photos | Spokane family photographer
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. The only big mistake to make is clothing that doesn’t fit appropriately. Choose something that fits appropriately. Comfortable is confident.
Wear a collared, button up shirt.
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. Another great option is to wear a plain t shirt underneath a button up short sleeve shirt and leave it unbuttoned this is a great way to flatter the “dad bod” for those who are worried about that.
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 connection between the people in the photo (which is what we want to focus on) and will accentuate curvier figures in the wrong ways.
Full Length Pants.
Full length pants are much more flattering 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 weird visual effects. Overall I recommend full length pants, if you must wear shorts, make sure no one else in the photo is wearing full length pants or the balance will be thrown off.
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 flatter. 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. 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. If you really want to level it up wear a watch too- not an Apple Watch a nice classic watch that matches the color of your belt.
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 :)