What Should I Do With My Hair Before Family Photos? A Photographer + Hairstylist Answer

If you have family pictures coming up, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve already thought about your hair.

Maybe before you’ve figured out what anyone is wearing.

Do I need to get my color done? Should I schedule a blowout? Is this a terrible time to finally cut it? Should I wear it up or down? And if Georgia humidity gets involved, what exactly are we supposed to do about that?

Hair is a big part of how most women feel when they look at themselves in a photograph. After nearly two decades of photographing families, I can tell you it matters in front of the camera, too. Not because it needs to be perfect, but because it frames your face, moves when you move, and if you don’t feel good about it, there’s a pretty good chance you’re going to notice it in every picture.

There are parts of that I know very well as a photographer.

And then there are parts where I know enough to call someone who knows a whole lot more than I do.

So I called my friend Stephanie, owner of 1972 The Salon here in Dallas.

Stephanie knows hair. I know what happens to it once you step in front of my camera. Between the two of us, I think we can settle most of this.

First things first: when should I get my hair done before pictures?

Stephanie: If you’re keeping up with the cut and color you already love, the goal is simply for it to feel fresh. There isn’t one perfect timeline for everyone because a trim, highlights, root color and extensions are completely different services.

What I wouldn’t do is wait until the last minute. When you book your photography session, tell your stylist the date. We can help you decide where your hair appointment needs to fall.

And if you’re thinking about a big change, give yourself even more time.

Christi: From behind the camera, I care less about whether I can see that your roots have grown out a little and more about whether you care.

If I know you, I can probably already hear you saying, “Can you fix my roots in Photoshop?”

Let’s just get your hair done.

Is this a good time to finally get bangs?

Stephanie: Maybe. But probably not three days before family pictures.

A photography session shouldn’t become the deadline for a major hair decision. If you’ve been thinking about a big cut, completely different color, bangs or extensions, talk to your stylist early enough that you have time to make the decision properly.

You want to recognize yourself when you look in the mirror.

Christi: And I want you to recognize yourself ten years from now when you look at these photographs.

I’m certainly not anti-bangs. I’m anti-panic bangs because family pictures are Saturday.

There is a difference.

Do I actually need to have my hair professionally styled?

Christi: No.

And I want to say that clearly because photographers can sometimes make women feel as though professional hair and makeup are prerequisites for being photographed well.

They aren’t.

If you know how you like your hair and feel good doing it yourself, do your own hair.

But if a salon appointment means you get to sit down, let somebody else handle it, and leave knowing you feel good while your husband is at home trying to locate everyone’s shoes, I see absolutely nothing wrong with that arrangement.

Stephanie: Professional styling also doesn’t have to mean “special occasion hair.”

It can be a great blowout, your natural texture styled properly, soft waves or simply a more polished version of how you normally wear your hair. The goal should still be for you to look like yourself.

If you’re coming in specifically before photographs, tell your stylist. Bring a picture of what you’re wearing, too. Your neckline, the overall style of your clothes and even whether you’ll be outside can help us decide how the hair should be finished.

So what hairstyle photographs best?

Christi: The one you don’t have to think about every thirty seconds.

Really.

I love hair with movement. I’m going to have you walking, turning toward your children, picking somebody up, leaning into your husband. Your hair is going to move, and I want it to.

What I don’t want is for you to spend the entire session asking me whether one curl has fallen.

If you always wear your hair straight, you don’t suddenly need loose Pinterest waves because you’re having family pictures made. If you love your natural texture, keep it. If you feel most like yourself with your hair up, that’s worth considering too.

Beautiful photographs don’t require “photo shoot hair.”

They require you to feel good enough about your hair that you can forget about it for a while.

And what are we supposed to do about Georgia humidity?

Stephanie: Work with your hair instead of pretending humidity isn’t going to affect it.

How hair is prepped matters just as much as what goes on it at the end. Your texture, condition, products and styling method all affect how well a style holds in humidity.

If your hair changes the second you walk outside, tell your stylist. That’s useful information. We can style for the conditions instead of trying to rescue it afterward with half a can of hairspray.

Christi: Also, we’re outside.

There may be wind. Your child may grab your hair. Your husband may hug you and mess up something Stephanie worked very hard on.

I apologize for him in advance.

But some movement is beautiful. I don’t need your hair frozen in place.

And once we’re shooting, I’ll watch it for you. If it’s stuck in your necklace, I’ll fix it. If the wind puts all of it across your face, I’ll move it. If it needs to come over one shoulder because of the way I’m photographing you, I’ll tell you.

You don’t have to manage your own hair while I’m photographing you.

Does what I’m wearing matter?

Christi: More than you might think.

Hair and clothing occupy the same space in a photograph. Long dark hair can disappear against a very dark top. A high neckline can compete with hair around your shoulders. Earrings can disappear completely or spend the entire session tangled in your hair.

None of this means there are rules about which hairstyle goes with which dress.

It just means we should think about the whole person.

Stephanie: If you’re having your hair professionally styled, show us what you’re wearing. A quick picture on your phone is enough.

We’re visual people. Seeing the neckline and overall look is much more helpful than trying to explain that you’re wearing “kind of a cream sweater but not really a sweater.”

What about everybody else’s hair?

Christi: I’m glad you asked, because apparently Dad lives here too.

If your husband normally gets his hair cut every three weeks and family pictures happen to fall somewhere around week six, go ahead and put that on the calendar.

Same with the kids.

But please don’t turn picture day into a battle over a hairstyle your child hates. For little girls especially, I like hair that can survive actually being a child. She’s going to run. Somebody is going to hug her. She may spin in her dress. She may decide the bow you’ve carefully placed in her hair is suddenly her mortal enemy.

We’re photographing your real family.

Let’s plan accordingly.

So what’s the one thing we want you to remember?

Stephanie: Plan ahead, but don’t reinvent yourself for pictures.

Tell your stylist you have photographs coming up. Give us the date. If you’re thinking about color, a cut, extensions or professional styling, we can help you figure out what makes sense for your hair.

Christi: And once you get to me, stop worrying about it.

I don’t need you perfect. I don’t need you transformed. I don’t need you spending the first twenty minutes of your session wondering whether the back of your hair looks okay.

I want you looking at your people.

Stephanie can handle the hair.

I’ll take it from there.

About Stephanie + 1972 The Salon

Stephanie is the owner of 1972 The Salon in Dallas, Georgia, and also happens to be the person I trust when a photography question wanders out of my lane and directly into hers.

If you’re planning photographs and wondering whether your hair needs a little attention beforehand, she and the team at 1972 are a very good place to start.

Quick Questions About Hair Before Family Photos

How many days before family photos should I get my hair done?

There isn’t one perfect number because a trim, root touch-up, highlights, extensions and a major color change are very different things. For your normal cut or color, give yourself enough time that your hair still feels fresh but isn’t brand new to you. If you’re making a significant change, give yourself considerably more breathing room. Your own stylist is the best person to tell you exactly where that appointment should fall.

Should I wash my hair before getting it styled for family photos?

Ask your stylist. The old advice that everyone should arrive with dirty hair isn’t universal. What works best depends on your hair type and the style you’re having done. If you’re booking professional styling, ask when you schedule the appointment whether they’d like you to arrive with clean, dry hair or something different.

Should I wear my hair up or down for family pictures?

There isn’t one hairstyle that photographs best. Start with how you normally feel most like yourself, then consider your hair texture, your clothing and neckline, the weather, and how much maintenance the style will need. I love hair with movement, but I don’t want you thinking about your hair for your entire session.

Is it worth getting my hair professionally done for family photos?

For some women, absolutely. For others, no. You do not need professional hair styling to photograph beautifully. But if having someone else do your hair means it holds better, you feel more confident, and you aren’t curling the back of your own head while asking everyone where their shoes are, it can be money very well spent.

What should I do with my hair for outdoor family photos if it’s humid or windy?

Plan for movement rather than trying to prevent it entirely. Tell your stylist if your hair reacts strongly to humidity and choose a style that can tolerate being outside. A little wind and movement can actually be beautiful in photographs. And once you’re in front of my camera, I’ll keep an eye on your hair and tell you if something needs fixing.