What to Wear FAQ’s
New clients always ask what should I wear to my session? I often suggest, wear an outfit that makes you feel good, fits well and is timeless; casual-dressy and most of all comfortable. It doesn’t have to be always the matching tops and bottoms for groups, unless it is the look you are going for. Families and Engagement sessions, make sure your colors complement each other but stay away from busy patterns. Bring additional options and keep in mind for outdoors that there may not be a place to change. Go for your best look. Have your hair and make-up done if you feel like it. Everybody loves looking like a million dollars! Do it for your session. Feel free to look on the internet for ideas, on my blog or Facebook and see what my other clients have collaborated together and used, Pinterest also has great ideas too! This is the time to be creative and plan ahead.
Grown-ups and Big Kids
1. The first key to achieving a great look is to find or buy clothing that’s comfortable. It should fit nicely- not too loose or to tight, easy to move around in. Clothing should hang well without creases and folds. You should always dress for full – length shots, so your shoes all the way up to your head should be styled and in good shape. And don’t forget that (weather permitting) barefoot is usually best.
2. Let your personality shine through! We don’t want everyone wearing khaki pants or jeans and white polo’s here. It’s so boring! If it’s a group shot, coordinating – but different colors work best. Wear your favorite color, a bold color that matches your eyes, or anything you love. Simple but not busy patterns and pops of color always look great.
Everybody
3. Layers are lovely! We’re talking about LAYERS and TEXTURES here. Think about scarves, jackets, skirts/dresses over leggings, sweaters, blazers, buttons, denim, chunky knits and corduroy. Accessories are fabulous like flower headbands, hats, purses, chunky necklaces, ties, etc. Favorite toys or books. Bring them all- the more to choose from the better!
4. Pick a theme. What theme you ask? Here are some ideas I LOVE for babies and kids: Bohemian; Vintage Romance; Forest Friends; Jeans and Fur; Punk Rock. For engagement pictures, choose a theme that highlights something special you share. Maybe it’s a love of books or that you spend lots of time hiking, camping, fishing, etc.
Families
5. What to avoid? Well, definitely avoid wearing matching outfits in family pictures. It’s also best to stay away from logos and character wear. We want the focus to be on you, not Dora and Diego!
6. Make sure the clothing fits the season as well as the location of the session, and if it’s a group everyone should be dressed at the same level of formality (dressy, casual, trendy, etc.)
Maternity
7. For maternity photos, be yourself! Jeans with a real waist, stretchy tops that hug the belly, or even a long skirt or flowing dress. We want the focus to be on the belly 🙂
Newborns
8. Newborns should be dressed in just a diaper, since the majority of the pictures will be in the nude or just diaper. Accessories are important for newborn shoots, so if you have hats, blankets, scarves, quilts, headbands, baskets, bowls, etc. And if you have a special outfit you just have to have captured, bring it out!
Additional steps and advice, if you still need help!
Step 1:
Choose clothing for one person first
You don’t have go out and buy all new outfits for your photo. Most times, you can get a great look by building your clothing around one person’s outfit. It’s usually best to start with the person in the group who has the least amount of clothes or who is hardest to pick an outfit for. Look through their closet for a great piece you want them to wear for the photos. You might also consider buying an outfit for that person and going from there.
Step 2:
Build the rest of the group’s outfits based on the first person
General rules to remember when choosing outfits
Keep in mind where you are going to be shooting
Are you going to be indoors or outdoors? Is the area paved, muddy, rocky, or grassy? What kind of colors would look best in that setting? If you will be outside, it’s a good idea to wear clothes you would be comfortable sitting on the ground in.
Stick to one style
Make sure everyone in the group is wearing one style of clothing such as classy (formal wear, suits, dresses, etc.), casual (shorts, t-shirts, sandals, etc.), or contemporary (a mixture of classy and casual–like a dressy top with jeans and heels).
Avoid loud patterns or huge logos or words on an outfit
Smaller patterns on part of an outfit look fine, but keep it to one or two people in your group. Patterns should compliment each other, not draw attention away from the main subject of the photo, you!
Colors don’t have to match, but they do need to go together
Clothing from the same color pallette or based on colors in one outfit tend to create a cohesive look without feeling too “matchy.” We love fun and vibrant colors; they help the portraits “pop” off the screen or print, but remember, the emphasis of the photos should be on your faces, not your clothing.
Think about shades of black and white
Since your package may include images in black and white, you will want to think about how your outfits would appear in those shades.
ring accessories and props that pull together the outfit
Using props and accessories is a good way to get different looks out of a single outfit. Think about things that characterize you and your personality: scarves, purses, shoes, items from your line of work, hobbies, and interests. Props and accessories are especially useful in spot color photography.
Hands and Feet
Often, we will take photos of details like hand-holding, rings, and family feet! Remember to clean and trim nails for these shots. For feet, if you have matching shoes or shoes in the same shade, that’s a plus. Of course, we love bare feet too!!!!
