• Home
  • Family Resources
    • Marriage
    • Parenting
  • Self Care
    • Pursue the REAL You Course
    • BEAUTY
      • Makeup
      • Color Match Quiz
      • Artist Program
  • Quizzes
  • Courses
    • Pursue the REAL You Course
    • Join the Community
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Beauty in Bedlam

The Perfect Dress for Family Photos

in Beauty, Fashion, Parenting on 01/08/20

The Perfect Dress for Family Photos

Figuring out what to wear for family photos is almost as challenging as keeping the kids clean and hubby happy. You want to look your best and coordinating outfits can be quite the daunting task. But, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing the perfect dress for yourself, everything else will come together much more easily.

It was the day before family pictures and I was laying outfits on the ground, rummaging through drawers to find the perfect combinations. My sister-in-law was texting me with her combos so that we could make sure none of us would clash. I’d spent hours figuring out the rest of the family, but here I was, staring at my closet full of clothes with nothing to wear myself.

What is Mom Wearing?!

Have you ever found yourself in the same dilemma I was? I’ve since learned that they key to making sure you love your pictures is to love your outfit. After all is said and done, you’re not going to be nearly as critical of everyone else in the picture as you will be of yourself. It’s too easy to pick apart our hair, our pose, our makeup, our weight… really everything about us. It shouldn’t be that way, but it often is. Why not give yourself an upper hand and start with something that makes you look and feel good?

As moms, we often put our needs behind the needs of everybody else. It’s in our nature. However, by choosing what you are going to wear first, you can work all the other outfits around yours, ensuring that everything coordinates AND that you’ll feel beautiful and confident. Put yourself first, for once, and you’re sure to end up with pictures you will be proud to hang on your wall.

Five Perfect Dresses to Make You Look Good

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

I absolutely love mixing semi-formal and informal clothing in family pictures. A good mix of button ups, pull overs, khakis, dresses, and jeans adds interest. Having mom in a dress helps hide some of the typically less favored features (hello tummy pouch and thicker thighs), and brings out her natural femininity. Here are a few of my favorite options:

The Amelia Dress in Dreamy Yellow

Get it here!

The Amelia is a gorgeous creamy yellow that would look great in fall, spring, or even summer pictures. This dress flows in all the right places and is sure to have you sneaking in a twirl or two. The subtle pattern and pretty ruffles add the perfect amount of texture to make those photos pop.

Born to Fashion Dress in Mauve and Ivory

Get it here!

You were Born to Fashion in this dress! Cute for spring or summer, this dress was family photos. Pair it with a cute necklace and denim jacket for some great layers, and you’ll be turning heads everywhere you go.

Button-up Split Floral Print Maxi Dress

Get it here!

Make a statement in this pretty Button-Up Split Front Maxi Dress. From the darling pattern to the sassy tassel ties, this dress is the perfect pick for your next photo shoot. If the floral isn’t quite your style, no worries, you can get this in 23 other colors and patterns!

Midi Skater Dress

Get it here!

How cute is this V-Neck Midi Skater Dress?! Answer: ridiculously! I’m a firm believer that every woman needs this in her closet, pictures or not. It comes in seven different colors and has pockets!!! What more do you need?!

Elven Enchantment Lace Maxi Dress

Get it here!

If you’re looking for something a little more formal, this pretty little number will do the trick! The stunning lace overlay adds a touch of romance while the bell sleeves bring a little drama (and helps your arms look slimmer). It’s the perfect combination! Even better, this would look darling on a baby bump for maternity shoots.

Bonus: For the Rust of Us Jumpsuit

Get it here!

Looking for something dressy that’s not actually a dress? Then you’re in luck! The For The Rust of Us Jumpsuit is the perfect combination of dressy and casual. It’s gorgeous color and darling functional buttons make this a family photo must have.

Common Questions/FAQ About Choosing Family Picture Outfits

  • What colors should I choose for our outfits?
    • Add interest to your photos by choosing coordinating colors rather than matching colors.
    • Play off of the colors in mom’s outfit (if she’s not in a solid) to help tie everything together.
    • Go with what you love! Look around your home. Do you gravitate towards muted tones or vibrant hues? Choose colors that would work well with your home decor. Your walls will look as fashionable as you do.
    • Avoid all white or all black clothing, it makes proper lighting much more difficult.
  • How do I work in patterns?
    • Patterns are a great way to pull in lots of different color and interest, but you definitely don’t want to over do it.
    • Having one or two people in patterns adds interest without going overboard.
    • Having one outfit that pulls all the colors together will help everything look cohesive.
  • What else should I consider when putting outfits together?
    • Add in some layers with jackets, vests, ties, and necklaces (probably not all at once though).
    • Create visual interest with some texture! Mix and match lace, metals, denim, leather, knits, wool. Cotton is great, but too much of it will lend to a boring picture.
  • What about my makeup?!
    • Check out the ultimate makeup tips for moms here.
    • Remember, pictures wash you out, so go darker and more dramatic than you usually do so that your makeup shows up in the picture.

The Last Thing You Need to Know about Picking the Perfect Dress

Let’s be honest, ladies, if you don’t love the way you look in the picture, you’re not going to put that up in your house or on your Facebook feed for all to see. Show of your darling family by taking care of your self first. When you love your outfit, it shows in your face, and you’ll have an easier time taking pictures you’ll love. Pick the perfect dress that makes you feel good and compliments your best features. All the other outfits can work around you. You are the heart of the family, let it show.

What is your go to look for family pictures? Do you prefer to wear dresses or pants? Let me know in the comments!

Add a Comment

« That Busy Family Life
7 Reasons Why Your Marriage Matters to Your Kids »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Take my color match quiz!

Hey there!

As a mom of five young kids, I find myself perpetually busy. I often hear, "how on earth do you do it all?" Well, let me fill you in on a little secret: I don't! I have learned instead how to find the good among the chaos, making it more manageable. I'm still learning. I hope this space can help you do the same. Because life may be crazy, darling, but that is where the beauty lies.

View My Blog Posts

Never Miss a Post!

Has your inner voice been bringing you down? It mi Has your inner voice been bringing you down? It might have sounded like this:

- You are not enough
- You aren’t lovable
- You are a failure
- You’re overreacting
- It’s too late

Honestly, the list could go on and on. After all, we’re our own worst critics. Right?

But it doesn’t have to be that way. It shouldn’t be that way. It’s time to take back your power and stop believing those lies. Make it RAIN!

1️⃣ Realize you’re being a jerk to yourself. 

2️⃣ Accept and acknowledge that the thought happened. Don’t beat yourself up further!

3️⃣ Investigate what is truth, exaggeration, or false perception. 

4️⃣ “NOPE” to the negativity and switch to a neutral or positive

- I love myself for who I am now
- I trust that ______ loves me
- Failing is okay, it means I tried
- These feelings are okay
- I can start now

Slow down. Analyze your thoughts. Flip the script.

You deserve a happier you.

#selftalk #selftalkmatters #positiveselftalk #selftalkpositive #mindsetmatters #youdeservehappy #youdeservehappiness #changethenarrative #changeyourmindset #changeyournarrative #goodbyeinnercritic #goodbyeinnermeangirl #goodbyenegativity #flipthescript #nopethenegative #beautyinbedlam #beautyinbedlamcoaching #beautyinbedlamcommunity
“We didn’t set out to be superheroes, but some “We didn’t set out to be superheroes, but sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned. 

Who are we?”

#halloween2021 #familyhalloweencostumes #disneyfamily #disneyfamilyhalloween #familycostumeideas #disneycostumeideas #bighero6 #bigherosixcosplay #bigherosixcostume #bighero6cosplay #bighero6costume #bigherosix #disneyobsessed #homemadehalloween #homemadehalloweencostume #homemadehalloweencostumes #halloweenfromscratch #beautyinbedlam
Good things come to those who wait. 3 years and 8 Good things come to those who wait. 3 years and 8 months, almost to the day, and I’m a braceface no more! It’s crazy to think this was the first time my youngest has EVER seen me without braces. 

It was a long, long road with lots of frustrations, complications, and delays, but it just makes today that much sweeter. Now to eat Indian Korma without the fear of staining brackets and caramel apples without worrying about knocking anything off.
Oftentimes women put themselves at the end of thei Oftentimes women put themselves at the end of their to-do lists—or don't even put themselves on the list at all! This is scary when you think about health care to-do lists.

Studies found that most women ranked their time spent managing health care in the following order:

1. Children
2. Pets
3. Elder relatives
4. Spouse or significant others
5. Themselves

I put myself as priority #1 today and went to the optometrist to update my prescription. (Hello crazy dilated eyes!) Turns out that my eyes have changed so much that I jumped 5 whole lines in the eye exam. No wonder I’ve been struggling with blurred vision and headaches!

Do you struggle making your health a priority? What if there was a way for you to easily manage not only your family’s needs, but yours as well? Are you ready to make yourself a priority?
Do you ever feel like the grief you carry isn’t Do you ever feel like the grief you carry isn’t legitimate? That it’s too small or too old or you’re too blessed? 

I’ve felt that.

Ten years ago today I experienced my second miscarriage. The first time it happened so early I didn’t even realize what was happening until a nurse at my university clinic told me. This time we thought we were far enough along it was “safe” to tell our families. I was so devastated I asked my sister to tell everyone for me because I couldn’t bear saying the words another time. Yet, I didn’t feel like it was right for me to grieve for long because I had a healthy seven month old baby to love and the pregnancy had been a surprise. I thought I was wrong to feel so sad when I had friends who hadn’t been able to get pregnant at all. I didn’t believe I was allowed true grief. But the hole in my heart remained.

Over the years the pain of loss dulled and the thoughts of what could have been became less frequent. Yet the guilt of grief was still there when they came. Who was I, mom to five beautifully rambunctious girls, to mourn such early losses from so long ago?

I’ve come to realize that grief isn’t bound by size or time or blessings. We don’t recover from grief, we grow in it. Grief provides perspective on our immense capacity for finding strength and becomes part of how we share our humanity.

So if you’ve ever felt like the grief you carry isn’t legitimate, I’m here to tell you it is and you are allowed to feel it.
. Repeat after me: "I 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 resp .
Repeat after me: 

"I 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 responsible for how others respond to my boundaries. I 𝙖𝙢 responsible for setting and honoring my boundaries."

✨ Are you ready to build greater self-esteem?

✨ Are you ready to clarify who you are, what you want, what you value and believe?

✨ Are you ready to focus on yourself and your well-being?

✨ Are you ready to enhance your mental health and emotional well-being?

✨ Are you ready to develop independence?

✨ Are you ready to gain a greater sense of identity?

It can be tricky navigating how to identify, set, and enforce boundaries, but you don't have to do it alone. If you are ready to see boundaries work their magic in your life and don't know where to start, I have the guidance you need. In just a few weeks I'll be launching my flagship course, The Boundary Breakdown, where I'll walk you through the five steps to becoming a boundaried person, guilt-free.

Are you ready?
I’m an enneagram type 6, which basically means I I’m an enneagram type 6, which basically means I’m a natural worrier. If you look it up, often the first thing noted about type sixes is we “anticipate life’s dangers.”

When I walk into a building I note where exits are.

When I’m driving, I’m hyper-vigilant about what other drivers around me are doing, anticipating mistakes they might make.

When I’m planning any event I think about all the things that can go wrong, what I’ll do to minimize the likelihood of it happening, and how I’ll respond if it does.

For me, thinking of the worst calms me because I know I’m prepared should it happen. I handle chaotic situations extremely well because, more often than not, I’ve played through a similar scenario in my head already.

I’ve spent the last few days updating our “bug out bags” or 72-hour kits. It’s been on my to-do list for a while and knowing it’s finally done has brought me an immense amount of peace. Hopefully we won’t ever need them, but they’re ready in case we do.

I’m fascinated by enneagrams and what they can teach us about ourselves. I always felt like such a weirdo for thinking the way I do, until I read about the enneagram. Turns out I’m not alone! Though probably still weird. 😉

Tell me, what’s your enneagram number? How have you seen it manifest in your life?
This is pure pride and joy. After over a decade o This is pure pride and joy.

After over a decade of changing majors three times, transferring five times, putting school on hold to raise babies and support my husband through medical school and residency, I just put in my application for graduation. I still have a few courses and an internship to complete, but there is an end in sight. It’s finally actually real.

Tell me, what’s something big you’ve always wanted to accomplish? What’s holding you back from getting it done?
School starts one month from today and this little School starts one month from today and this little lady will be starting first grade. Here in Idaho kindergarten is only half day, so this will be her first time experiencing lunch at school. This made me super nervous because they only get about 15 minutes to eat. A challenge for most kids, but especially for this girly with ADHD who often takes an hour (or longer) to actually eat her food. 

To quell my worries we started practicing today. I made her lunch just as I would on a regular school day. She got to grab her lunchbox, unzip, unbuckle, open packages, eat, and clean up all on her own. I also let her know I set a 15-minute timer and once it went off all food was to be put away, wether she was done or not. I thought this first day would be a struggle, since most days are, but she surprised me by doing everything on her own AND finishing all her food in ten minutes. 🤯

We’ll keep practicing to make sure the time limit really sinks in, but today reminded me that people are often more capable than we give them credit for. This is true for adults, kids, and even ourselves. When we understand the task at hand, what is being asked of us, it’s easier to rise to the occasion. We might surprise ourselves and nail it the first time or it might take a few tries to really get it down, but we can accomplish anything we set our mind to.

Copyright © 2022 · Beauty in Bedlam site designed by Erika Senneff