What to Wear

So you've booked a session, yay!! Your excitement is building and you're envisioning beautiful photos, natural smiles, and special moments unfolding in slow motion. But then your daydream is halted to a record scratching stop in the form of a single question: What are you going to wear?!

Have no fear, friend. You’ve come to the right post. Here, I'll share all my tips and notes to keep in mind when you're choosing your outfit(s) for your session.

• Be yourself, be comfortable
  Dress like yourself! Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. You don’t want to be second guessing every move and pose based on clothes you aren’t used to. If you want to dress up or down, it’s your choice. What matters is that you are in an outfit you love and are ready to have fun in!

• Keep location in mind
  You might not wear the same style of clothes for an outdoor location that you would for an indoor spot. Keep in mind what your surroundings will be, what type of style you are aiming for, and compliment accordingly. For instance, you might wear a flowy floral dress for a photoshoot in a field or park, but would opt for a more fitted or formal dress for photos in a fancy hotel bar. This is not to say you shouldn’t wear the flowy floral dress at a fancy bar, but only that it will produce a slightly different mood of photos!

• Use colors to compliment
  Aim for neutrals, earthy tones, and metallics. And by neutrals, I mean softer tones that you can find in nature. These colors will compliment any environment you are in and won’t overpower the main subject, you! For families, it is best to keep your color scheme limited to four colors. One person can wear a feature color, and the rest of the family’s outfits can compliment.

• Play with subtle patterns and texture
  Tight patterns always photograph better than large patterns. Again, we want the focus to fall on you! Texture is also a great way to add some dimension to your clothes. Sweater knitting and waffle fabrics can add that extra element!

• Hair and makeup, natural vs not
  For hair, down is a great way to add movement to your photos. I personally love the look of hair getting caught in the breeze or letting your partner sweep it over your ear. When it comes to makeup, opt for your natural look! The goal is to be able to look at these photos and recognize yourself. You don’t want to be constantly checking if that new brand of lipstick is smudging. Do a test run if you are planning on using new makeup before your session to give that extra piece of mind.

• Shoe selection
  Don’t leave out your shoes! They’re a key part of a look and should compliment the rest of your outfit. Select the right shoes based on your location. If you’re going to be on uneven ground, it’s probably best to leave the heels at home. Boots are beautiful in the mountains and sandals always win over flip flops.

• Accessorize
  Hats, jackets, sunglasses and socks are great way to jazz up your accessory game. Throw some fun items in your bag, but be careful with large or distracting pieces. Leave the smartwatch at home, please!

• Bring the props!
  Bring whatever you would like to be included in your photos and what will help your personality shine through. Whether that looks like a furry friend (just make sure you have someone to hold their leash!), your favorite adventure picnic blanket, jerseys and awards for my seniors, or anything you want!

All of this is up to you, but I’m here to offer you the “what would be best for photos” tips. As always, do whatever feels comfortable for you! When you book with me, I’ll send you my full style guide with example photos included.