It's September, which means it's time to start thinking about holiday cards and family pictures!

As crazy and stressful as family portraits can be, they're such a treasure, and when you look back you'll

be so glad you have them.

But let's get you through the stressful part.  I'm sharing seven tips prepping for and taking family

portraits, plus a bunch of outfit inspiration.  AND a ton of outfit options.

Step 1. Choose a location.

Do you want a beach location? Trees and greenery? A cozy photoshoot in your home? Maybe a snowy background? It’s best to decide this and PICK a location before you do anything else. This will help lay the foundation for the entire shoot so it’s easier to make the rest of the decisions.

Step 2. Find a photographer and schedule a date.  If you’re traveling this month and want to take family pictures while you’re on vacation, ask local friends (or bloggers!), or look on Instagram under local hashtags (like Adacountyphotogrrapher). If you need a photographer in your area, look through your options and decide whose style fits what you’re looking for. Do you want something bright? Moody? More posed or more lifestyle? Look at different photographer’s work and choose accordingly. Don’t find a photographer and ask them to edit differently than their natural style.

And remember, this is every photographer’s busiest time, so book early!!

Now it’s time to pick outfits. Always the most stressful part!

Step 3.  Choose YOUR outfit first.

Try these tips when picking something for yourself:

• Wear a dress. Trust me on this one. You’ll feel prettier, and it’s more flattering than anything else you can wear.
• Pick a dress that’s figure flattering. I recommend any kind that has a fitted waist. Skip the shift dresses and swing dresses because one gust of wind and you suddenly look twice as wide as you actually are.
• If you’re not a big fan of dresses, choose a skirt and top combination. But again, choose one that’s an A-Line style (fitted in the waist and flows out over your hips). I promise it’ll be 1000x more flattering than anything else you could pick.
• Wearing something more dressy than your everyday. T-shirt material doesn’t hang as well as chiffon, rayon, linen, double knit, or silk, and could look cheap and unflattering from some angles.
• Choose the color you want to wear and build from there. We all know it’s hardest to get us dressed, so start with yourself instead of fitting yourself in at the end.

I’ve rounded up a TON of flattering and pretty dress options at the bottom of the post from all my favorite dress retailers — even for maternity (since you guys requested that!) You’re sure to find something!!

Step 4. Choose your family color palette.

Now that you’ve picked your outfit, it’s time to figure out the entire color palette. I created a Pinterest board with a TON of family picture outfit ideas that will help you decided which direction to go. Or maybe you’ll need to start here and that will help you pick your outfit and location. Either way, there’s tons of inspiration there for indoor, outdoor, neutral, festive holiday, beach, snowy, etc.

I’d recommend choosing 2-3 colors for your color palette, and then have variations of those colors, like darker or lighter shades of blue.

check out the Pinterest board right here

Step 5. Choose your family’s outfits.

If you look through the Pinterest board I created, you’ll notice that most of the outfits have solid colors. If you’re going to do patterns, keep them subtle, and in small doses. The point of family pictures is for your beautiful faces to show, so don’t let them be overpowered by large, loud patterns.

Also play with layers like vests, jackets, or sweaters (stay away from scarves cause they’ll get in the way and look bulky in photos!), or tall socks under boots, so you have more opportunity for incorporating your colors and adding texture and dimension. Your outfits will feel more complete if everyone’s in something more than just bottoms and a top.

And can I recommend one more thing? Try to keep the outfits as classic as you can. Obviously this is a personal choice, but staying away from super trendy pieces will help your pictures stand the test of time.

Step 6. Keep it low key, and set expectations.

A few years ago everyone got really into props for photoshoots. While they can certainly be fun, they’re usually more of a hassle than they’re worth. My favorite pictures are the ones with families just walking, hugging, playing, or snuggling. No props needed — just lots of love!

Also, set expectations and bring snacks. Usually the day before the shoot, I prep my kids and tell them we’re doing a photoshoot and it’ll be 30 minutes long, and then we’ll go get donuts. I’m not above bribes

• If you’re not a big fan of dresses, choose a skirt and top combination. But again, choose one that’s an A-Line style (fitted in the waist and flows out over your hips). I promise it’ll be 1000x more flattering than anything else you could pick.

• An incentive helps, and reminding them during the shoot that it’s just 10 more minutes until donuts usually keeps everyone pretty happy.
• During the shoot, we usually do fruit snacks cause they don’t make a mess.
• Make a list of shots you want before the shoot, and then tell your photographer when you get there. You’ll probably want a variety of posed and candid, some with just mom and dad, some pictures with just dad and the kids, some with just mom and the kids, one with all the kids together, one of each of the kids individually, and one of mom and dad together.
• In the craziness of the shoot, I can never remember which shots I want, and we almost always walk away without all the shots I wanted. So make a list and check it before you finish the shoot.

·       Step 7. Get the shot.

Make a list of shots you want before the shoot, and then tell your photographer when you get there. You’ll probably want a variety of posed and candid, some with just mom and dad, some pictures with just dad and the kids, some with just mom and the kids, one with all the kids together, one of each of the kids individually, and one of mom and dad together.