what to wear for maui family portraits

basic rules for planning your wardrobe for a family portrait in maui, hawaii.

You Will Get Wet.

number one

Wear something you don't mind getting wet and if possible, doesn't show too much when you do get water on it. There are some fabrics and patterns you can't tell are wet or dry (usually synthetics), kind of cool! 

Of course, it is no big deal if your clothes do look wet, you are on the beach after all! Also, if you have small children, bring a change of clothes for the ride home and a towel. They can't resist the water!

Wardrobe choice is the one thing that causes our clients the most anxiety about a Maui family portrait!  If you don't know where to start planning your portrait outfits, no need to stress. We have put together a guide to make planning your clothing easy peasy! 

Read our tips below on colors patterns, clothing material and "what not to wear" to have your family looking stylin' and feeling stress-free! 

You Don't Have To Wear White!

number TWO

White is not always the most flattering color for family portraits. 

There are different shades of white, that often don't look different until they are out in bright light (sun or flash). When the whole group is in white, you can end up looking like one big white blob or a polo team about to take the field. 

If you do choose to wear white, try to mix it up in different styles with different bottom options or a splash of color.

You Don't Have To Wear The Same Color.

number three

Think "COORDINATE" rather than "MATCH". 

When you decorate a room, you don't use the same color for everything, you choose pieces that work well together, while at the same time all bring something different to the room. People are the same way, everyone has their own personality and style. Your portrait clothing choice should show off the personality of the people in the photo. 

Rather than making everyone wear the same color, find a palette of colors that work well together and let each person express their individuality. This way each person has a say in what they are wearing and knows what to wear for family pictures that will work well with the entire group. 

See in these photos that everyone's clothing has their own look, but it all works well together and all blends! 

Think about colors and patterns that work with each-other for a cohesive look. Don't be afraid to ask your Maui family photographers for some inspiration. They should be able to refer you more examples to find the look that works for your family.

Avoid Multiple Strong Patterns.

number four

When more than one person is wearing a strong pattern it is distracting to the eye. Instead of looking at your gorgeous faces, you are wondering which pattern is going to win the pattern battle. 

When trying to decider what to wear for family portraits try to keep it to only one strong pattern in any group. Notice in the photo below that only one person has a strong pattern (which is totally fine), you just usually don't want more than one person in a pattern. 

Using a strong pattern can be a great basis for the color pallet choice for the rest of the group, so don't be afraid of some flair.

To the right is the exception to the multiple pattern clothing rule for family portraits. 

If you have two different patterns within the same color palette, it can give your photos a fun eclectic look. Just remember to space the patterns between one solid color when posing and try to incorporate a color from each of the patterns that blends with the solid color. 

Colors and patterns will help your portraits look individual, so don't be afraid of them either. Just choose wisely and ask for help if you need it. 

The photo above is the exception to the multiple pattern clothing rule for family portraits. 

If you have two different patterns within the same color palette, it can give your photos a fun eclectic look. Just remember to space the patterns between one solid color when posing and try to incorporate a color from each of the patterns that blends with the solid color. 

Colors and patterns will help your portraits look individual, so don't be afraid of them either. Just choose wisely and ask for help if you need it. 

Don't Make Your Teens Dress Like You.

number five

Teenagers typically aren't super excited to have family portraits taken. One way to make them dread it, even more, is to make them dress like you. 

Let your teens show off their personalities. As long as the colors work well together let them be comfortable having their own style. Letting your children be themselves will make portraits much more enjoyable for all. 

3 More Important Portrait Planning Tips

1. AVOID CLOTHING WITH LARGE LOGOS

Logos distract the eye from the important things (like your face) and can lead to an image looking dated too soon. Leave out the logos and your images will be timeless.

2. NOTE ABOUT SHORT SHORTS & JUMPERS IF YOU ARE OVER 8 YEARS OLD

Short shorts and jumpers usually don't work well for portrait sessions as they can be tough to do sitting poses (most people's thighs look considerably larger when sitting and super short shorts only emphasize this). Jumpers look cute in person, but not so cute in photos, as they tend to bend weird and cause the illusion of a "front butt" or even worse, a certain humped animal's toes. 

3. ABOVE ALL ELSE "PLEASE" WEAR SOMETHING YOU FEEL GOOD IN!

We want you to look in the mirror and say, "Yeah I am looking good today!" Don't sacrifice how you feel in the clothes for the sake of coordinating with your family, "MOMS", I am talking to you!! Choose your clothing first, then help the rest of the group work around you.

We know that planning what to wear for Maui family portraits isn't always easy from thousands of miles away. We hope this guide helps, we want you to LOVE your portraits! Having a well put together wardrobe will help you love your photos even more!! 

Looking for Maui Family Photographers?

Are you thinking of having Maui family portraits taken while on vacation in Maui, Hawaii? 

Look no farther than Karma Hill Photography to commemorate your annual family vacation in photos. Our team of professionally trained Maui family photographers will create some of the most amazing family portraits of your beautiful family.  

With tons of portrait packages to accommodate just what you are looking for and 24-hour online booking, we make it easy and convenient to work with our company. 

Find more information about planning your family portrait session in Maui, Hawaii on our page: Top 10 Portrait Planning Tips to answer many of your Maui specific portrait questions all in one location.

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