What to Wear?
Hi! :) I’m so happy you’re here and I can’t wait to capture your life’s special moments!
There’s no doubt that my number one priority is for you and your family to be comfortable in whatever your outfit choice is. However, from my experience, there are certain tones and styles that photograph better and are more consistent with my editing style, which will give you the best end product.
My number on suggestion is to KEEP IN NEUTRAL! Neutral colors photograph the most beautiful in natural light. No matter what color scheme you’re going for, you can find neutral or muted tones in just about anything! Neutral and muted colors, rather than bright and vibrant ones, allow for the attention of the photos to be on YOU, which is where it should be! Here are some color swatches to look for when planning you and your family’s outfit(s).
Blues Greens Greys Creams Beiges Pinks
These color pallets can differ from session to session, but keeping this general framework in mind will make styling your groups outfits much easier!
LADIES, SAY YES TO THE DRESS! On womens’ bodies, dresses tend to look the most flattering in photos. Plus, your photos are an investment and something you will cherish forever. This is a perfect opportunity (and excuse to your hubby) to go get that perfect dress you’ve been wanting. A long flowy dress will not only stand out, but will also bring a playful nature to your session as we capture movement in your photos. Here are some Amazon suggestions below on the style of dresses that I love to photograph (all are linked):
These are just a handful of suggestions to give you an idea. Amazon is a great place for you to find budget friendly options for your shoot. Other websites I recommend for those on a budget are Lulus, Say Yes To The Dress, H&M and Red Dress Boutique. No matter where you get your dress from, make sure it brings out your personality because that is what matters most!
Also ladies, PLAN YOUR OUTFIT FIRST! Whether you’re the mama of your tribe, or the girlfriend or wife to the love of your life, majority of the time the photos will be planned around you. You will get to pick your “good side”. Your significant other and/or kids will be posed around you. Decide what you feel your best in — solid, pattern, or floral — and then plan everyone else around that.
Styling Men —
While it’s no secret that photos may not be a man’s most favorite thing, YOU are. I suggest having a conversation with them about how important these photos are to you, because it will make it important to them too. When it comes to styling their outfit, make sure it compliments yours. If you’re wearing a dusty pink dress, maybe have them wear a dusty pink bow tie. Or if you’re wearing some sort of patterned dress, make sure their button down is one of the colors included in the design of your dress. In my experience, button downs photograph the most naturally on men. Short sleeves give a more casual look, while long sleeves give a fancier look. A good pair of khaki slacks are always a great option, but jeans can look okay depending on the style that you’re going for. Layering items also tends to look very flattering on men. Below are some suggestions for your man:
Styling Kids —
Whether you have younger or older kids, I suggest also having a conversation with them about your photo session (as long as they’re old enough to understand of course). For your little girls, talk to them about how beautiful they are going to look in their outfits. For your little guys, tell them how grown up they are going to look. Try to mix up the styles with your kids, especially if you have multiple. For girls, maybe have on wear a dress and one wear a top with a skirt. For boys, maybe put one in slacks and a button down and the other in slacks, a plain tee and a sweater. Keep the colors consistent with your and your spouse, but not the same. We are WAY past the days of everyone in the same “uniform” for photos. Keep it fun for them — for your daughters, a cute bow or hate is always a fun accessory; for your sons, throw on a cute beanie or bowtie.
Incorporating Bold Colors and Patterns —
Bold colors and patterns are by no means “not allowed”. Incorporating these pieces, if you choose so, the correct way can actually give your photos some dimension and depth. My recommendation is to limit these pieces as much as possible. If you have a family of 5, maybe *ONE* of you has something in a darker tone or pattern. I would also choose colors that aren’t ‘loud’ in nature. These include colors like navy, black, rust or brown. Anything bright, such as hot pink or red, are colors I would steer clear of as they are going to overrun the photo. Below are examples of bold colors and patterns being incorporated correctly:
Hope this has helped you a bit in deciding how to style the outfits for your shoot. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! I can’t wait to work with you! :)
