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family portraits and Baby Mama

anne

Veteran

San's mention of family portraits in another thread reminded me that I was going to ask you all for tips on what to wear for them, as we are having some done with my DH's family in a couple of weeks. They last had their done in 1992 and the photographer told them to wear denim so it would look timeless. It doesn't

Also I saw the film Baby Mama and really liked what Tina Fey wore in it. Well except for one outftit and for the overabundance of cleavage on display. Anyone else like her clothes?

Dressing

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Anonymous

I didn't see the movie. Can you post a picture of what you're considering wearing?
I don't think portraits are ever really timeless. They should represent a spot in time, or time standing still.

anne

Veteran

Hi San - I'm not considering wearing her clothes - just liked them in general! Oh do you mean for the portrait? It depends if we are all told to go casual, but if not, I was considering wearing the outfit I got for an upcoming wedding
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....sd3016.jpg
That is a good point about capturing that moment in time.

Any other tips for the portraits. I think I remember last time my family had it done we were told not to wear black. We all wore jeans and brighter colour tops ( I kind of wish I had not worn a tight pink sleeveless T shirt - want to do better Post YLF!)

Anonymous

That is very, very pretty and I think it will look great for a family portrait.

Violet

You know, Tina Fey did wear some cute outfits in Baby Mama. I tried searching online, but I couldn't find any great pictures from the movie.

I think the dress you posted would look great in a family portrait.

I haven't been in a real family portrait in years, but each Christmas my father-in-law makes us all cram into one big family picture. Last year it was outside, in the freezing cold. We all love him, but are glad family picture time is only once a year.

Tanya

Veteran

I haven't seen the movie, but your wedding outfit seems perfect for the portraits.

anne

Veteran

Thanks guys! BTW I just looked at that picture again and it looks like the ribbon is on my waist - it isn't though, my waist is 3 or 4 inches below that line. Interesting.
My MIL's 60th is on the afternoon of the portraits, so I am thinking the outfit might do for that too

Anonymous

I guess you are long waisted then? Do you have trouble with one piece swim suits being to short?

anne

Veteran

Oh yes definitely long waisted. Waist ties never get me on the waist. I don't have a length prob with swimsuits (or bathers as I called them) San, but probably because I am shortish 5"4. Of course like many women I do hate buying them, in fact I haven't bought a pair for maybe 6 years! (Been making do with handmedowns and gifts)

Nice to hear from you all - I am stuck at home with all 3 girls having snotty colds, and I have a bit of one too!

Tanya

Veteran

Sorry to hear you & your girls have a cold Anne, I have had one myself and am still recovering, so I know how you feel. The only things I can recommend are chicken soup and chamomile tea...

I am very long waisted myself ( but 2" taller) and I have never found a one piece bathing suit that was long enough.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The outfit will do superbly well, Anne. You look SO pretty in that dress. Does DH like it?

Hope you both feel better soon, Anne & Tanya.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Angie - yes DH likes it. Are you procrastinating from packing?
Tanya - hope you feel better soon

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh good!

We are all packed. I need a tranquilizer. I get upset when I have to take Jasmine and Rosie to their doggy resort. They’re fine. Mum’s a mess.

anne

Veteran

I imagine that would be difficult! BTW my oldest is called Rosie - great name!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Arwwwh! We are connected, Anne

Nicole

Veteran

Anne, I love the dress you plan to wear for the wedding--and it will photograph very well. The only thing to be cautious about, is standing next to someone else who is wearing a print. You may want to make sure your children and husband are in solid colors, since they will most likely be near you in the photo. You may also want to check in with other members of the family and see what they are wearing. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but picture a group of people all wearing Hawaiian shirts, and you'll get some idea of what could happen if more than 3 people wear bold prints.

BTW, when I was fresh out of college, I worked as a photographer in a portrait studio. By no means was I a "school trained photographer". The company had their own training method and special cameras that made photographry fool proof...but I did learn a few things about clothing and groups and backgrounds.

Which reminds me...will this photo be outdoors? If so, and if everyone is dressed up then it might be better to move the photo indoors. I remember we had these outdoor back drops that I hated to use--but when customers requested them, I had to use them. I was supposed to use them a certain percentage of time, and woudl get in trouble for not using them--but they were really tacky and fake looking. Anyway, there was a winter scene and parents would bring their kids in for a photo, in little dresses and suits and then want a photo taken in the snow scene. I was like---uhh...who stands out in the snow in a dress and suit?? But some people just had to have the snow scene regardless of what their kids wore.

So, there is lots to think about regarding what to wear for this photo. But overall, I think your outfit will work if 1. there are not a lot of other bold prints in other people's clothing (esp people who are standing next to you.) 2. the photo is taken indoors instead of outdoors. 3. everyone in the group is dressed at the same level. (If everyone else is wearing khakis and jeans and you're wearing that beautiful dress, you will look out of place.)

And most importantly--SMILE!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Lol, Nicole! I think I may have some baby photos lurking somewhere of my little brother and I in a dress and suit, only I think the backdrop was an Autumn scene, lol. I forgot about those.

Everyone has made great suggestions, so I don't really have anything to add. Have fun, though! I've always liked looking back at family portraits--they are dated, but that's what's so great about them, as San mentioned.

anne

Veteran

Nicole, thanks so much for your very informed advice. It's great and exactly the sort of detail I was wondering about. Now I don't know yet, but I have a strong suspicion that the the photos might be outside. If that was the case, what would you advise re clothing?

anne

Veteran

BTW here is the picture from my last family portrait - 4 years ago.
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....ture44.png
This was from my side of the family. I haven't been part of a portrait with DH's family before (apart from wedding pics). Oh also Nicole, do you have any tips for dressing my kids - girls aged 5, nearly 3 and 9 months?

Becky

Veteran

Anne, when we had our last family pics (2 years ago!), I tried to go with a color theme for the whole family so we looked at least somewhat coordinated. We ended up going with blues, since that's a good color for all of us (I'm the only one without blue eyes). I didn't worry about matching them exactly, but the blues were all muted, cool-ish blues. DH wore a blue patterned button-down, I had a blue sweater, each of my girls had subtly-patterned blue dresses. It didn't look matchy-matchy, and it looked much better than some past family pics in which everyone just wore his/her "Sunday best" and there wasn't a single unifying theme.

Nicole

Veteran

Hi Anne,

I think a lot of what you wear depends on how everyone else is dressing, and the scenery for the outdoor photo. If you are in a gazeebo or some other formal structure, you may get away with suit coats for the men and dresses for the women. But if your photo backgound will be a bank of trees, a lake, or just an open field of grass--then I'd definitely go more casual.

I'd probably opt for a denim skirt (the perfect combination of casual and smart), a collared shirt or blouse and something over that gives a little structure, like a cardi or cropped jacket. I'd put your daughters in play dresses--bare legs and shoes (or shoe type sneakers). I can't remember if you have a son--but if so, I'd put him in a pair of khakis and a white or light blue button down shirt. (Unless he's very fair--then I'd do light to medium blue instead of the white shirt). I'd put your husband in either a pair of dress denim jeans or a pair of dark blue or khaki slacks--with a colorful buttondown shirt. Preferably a color that compliments the color of your outfit. It's important that you plan the colors out--because if you opt to have a family photo of just the five of you, you will want this to look cohesive. This doesn't mean put everyone in the same color shirt--but make sure the colors work well together and do not clash.

I would also call all the family members who are going to be in the photo and ask them what they plan to wear. If possible, direct them to a similar level of casual/dressiness--so that everyone is dressed similarly.

Anonymous

Anne I just want to comment that the picture of you in your last family portrait with your head on your hubby's shoulder is so pretty, even though we can't see your face we can see that you are very pretty. How cute the body language is.

Anonymous

Anne, I'd suggest wearing a little extra makeup, more like you'd wear to an evening event. You will look more vibrant in the photo. Maybe others will have suggestions on this. It's easy to look washed out.

anne

Veteran

Becky, Nicole and Joy - thanks so much for all the advice. I don't have a son- 3 girls is enough for me, but interestingly what you advised for boys is almost exactly what my (adult) brother wore in the last one

San - thanks for your lovely comment. Actually it was my Dad's shoulder I was leaning on. He had been diagnosed with cancer and that was why we had the portraits. His hair started to fall out the very next day and he died about 3 months later, so they are very special photos. Happily the one coming up don't have any sad impetus. It will be good to get some photos of my younger 2 girls who were born after we acquired a digital camera with the usual result of having almost nothing of them in hardcopy.

I will make a denim skirt a priority in my shopping trip next week, and also stock up on foundation, which I am practically out of.
thanks!

Anonymous

Oh what a sad but beautiful story behind the shoulder you are leaning on. I could see the true love in the body language. You are very lucky to have had a father who was so special to you.
Also a beautiful story that you will now have your 2 baby girls in the next family portrait along with their older sister. Wow these show how important family portraits are.

For my daughters wedding I think I went the direction of too much make up and I don't like to look at the pictures of myself. Also be wary of mineral makeup foundation which I hear can reflect the light in the picture.
I had a sample of mineral makeup that I tried and someone asked about my new foundation. I think if it was noticable that is not a good sign.