As I’ve been looking at pictures of Prince George over the last few days, I couldn’t help but notice one thing that kept coming up in the photos. No matter the photo, the Duke, the Duchess, and the Prince look very at ease, very comfortable and the photos, with the exception of the Christening at Clarence House, all have a very informal and easy air about them. Even the ones at Clarence House have a feel of fun and love to them, but they just have the formality that a suit and tie bring out in anyone.

I thought we’d take a look at Catherine’s approach to family photos.

When it is possible, Catherine has opted for light and flowy, no muss-no fuss dresses for the portraits we have seen.

Bringing Home Baby

On the day that they bring home baby lots of women choose to exit the hospital in a wheelchair and wearing sweatpants or a really loose t-shirt dress with hair in a messy ponytail.  Catherine opted for a comfortable, yet very presentable custom blue dress from favored designer Jenny Packham and a favorite pair of wedges with her hair looking wonderful after a fresh blowout

Baby at Home

Not long after bringing home baby many families are excited to get a proper family photo together and might opt to do so in the back yard (or back garden as the Brits say) if the weather is nice. Often times a friend or family member will be the one to snap these special photos. If the family pets are in a cooperative mood they might even be included since no family is complete without the four-pawwed members. William and Catherine took little George to Bucklebury almost as soon as he had had a chance to be introduced to his Great-Grandmother the Queen. It was in the back garden of the Middleton family home that the first official photos of Prince George were taken as he slept in his mother’s arms. The photos are no doubt even more special to Catherine as they were taken by her father Michael Middleton.  In one photo the family dog Lupo made an appearance looking just as pleased as a pup can… and the Middleton’s dog Tilly even snuck into the shot.  Milly opted to nap close to Catherine.

For these historic photos that would be added to history books and seen around the world within moments of release, Catherine went for a beautiful fuchsia dress from Séraphine. The dress looked great for the laid back photos, and it no doubt felt comfortable as well.

Christening means Getting Dressed Up

Sometimes, no matter how casual you may want to dress for photos with baby getting all dressed up is what is called for. A formal Christening is one of those times…especially when the photos will be historic.

Jason Bell via The Daily Mail

For this historic day, George was the one in the historic (replica) gown. Catherine opted to have guests dress in either cream or a navy blue with Her Majesty the Queen opting for a different, yet still complimentary shade of blue. Catherine chose a bespoke version of a dress by Alexander McQueen and a beautiful bespoke hat by Jane Taylor Millinery

By working closely with their photographer William and Catherine were able to get a lovely set of photos that while formal and historic, felt like most other family portrait occasions…with moments where the Queen could not take her eyes off George, and moments where George just was so excited he had to let everyone know.

Jason Bell via The Daily Mail

Let’s Look at this from a Different Angle

Credit Jason Bell via the Daily Mail

With this shot photographer Jason Bell went for a different, very informal photo and while it is not a picture of Catherine raising George into the air or one of William with George on his shoulders…it shows the family as just the “family next door”. Shooting into the apartment from outside and below gives this a very warm and cosy feel. Don’t you catch your self expecting them to wave at you? I bet you want to wave back, right?

Play Time and Cuddle Time Make Great Photos

Sometimes the best way to get a great photo is to have someone snap a photo while a young child is playing with an interesting or favorite toy or while they are getting a cuddle with Mum or Dad. I’d say it worked pretty well at George’s Plunket Playdate. For this outing you might remember that Catherine wore a flowy and fringed Tory Burch dress, the first time we’d seen her in the designer.

Courtesy of the Governor General’s Office

A Great Setting Makes Great Photos Easy

William and Catherine (and whoever planned the tour) were so smart to have George’s public appearance in Australia be at the Zoo! For that occasion Catherine went to her closet and pulled out a pale yellow, Broderie Anglaise dress that we first saw on the Jubilee tour in 2012. This seemed a perfect fit for a fun afternoon at the zoo.

When it comes to important pictures that you also want a fun setting for, Catherine struck gold again while wearing this Suzannah Dress to take George to see butterflies at an exhibit at the National History Museum.

Overall Catherine has opted for outfits for family pictures that are easy and give her more time to focus on Prince George who is no doubt the true star of these photos. With careful planning and attention to detail all of the photos featured here manage to have a very easy and accessible feel