What to Wear to Your Session
Preparing for your session can be a pretty daunting task. Not only do you have to worry about dressing yourself (hardest part for me, right here!), you also have to figure out what the rest of the family is going to wear. Lucky for you your trusty photographer (Hi!) has a few pointers on how to make this part of the process as pain-free as possible. So, let’s get to it!
When is your shoot? The season of your session is going to drastically determine some key components of your outfit choice. Fall/winter sessions call for deeper colors, layers (think: that furry vest hanging in your closet) and texture, whereas spring/summer sessions are better suited for lighter fabrics, such as linen, and a lighter color palette.
Now, let’s talk location for a second. Where your session is going to take place should impact your outfit selections from both a practical and aesthetic stand point. Stilettos are not going to work in a field…unless you are being paid to aerate it. If you are doing a summer beach session, you probably don’t need to worry about shoes at all!
**THINGS THAT ARE AMAZING NO MATTER WHEN OR WHERE: HATS, DRESSES, AND NEUTRALS. Give me all the hats and dresses!
Are kids involved? Kids are unpredictable creatures. I know this first hand. While it is nearly impossible to predict how they will react to a camera in their face, there are a few things you can do to start off on the right foot. Which is a great place to start…the feet. Make sure they can walk in the shoes you choose! Seems obvious, right? But there is a reason I had to add this tidbit in. Next, make sure their outfit is comfortable. I know, I know. This is almost an impossible task. My son whines every time he wears pants because “they touch his ankles”. But just try your hardest! Make sure the clothes fit. Make sure they are secure and don’t need constant adjusting. And perhaps most importantly, make sure they are weather appropriate. Sessions can last up to an hour and no photo session is worth freezing for, or worse, getting sick for. Especially when there are so many cute vests, coats, and hats out there, which add variation and texture to your overall look (see below!)
Okay, great! You know when, where, and who. Now let’s start piecing together your look. First things first, start off with the pickiest person. Chances are if you are taking the time to read this post, this person is you. Pick an outfit that makes you feel confident (move over Beyonce!), but also comfortable because you will be asked to do some light acrobatic work (just kidding — kind of). No but seriously, we will stand, sit, and chase after kiddos. A mini skirt probably won’t work, but a flowy maxi dress? YES, QUEEN.
Gone are the days of matching oxfords and khakis (although, I do love a good Oxford sprinkled in). Instead of matching, try to coordinate. Choose a few colors to work with. Keep patterns small and understated, but DO use them if you like! A tasteful plaid flannel for dad can add a touch of personality and dimension to your look. Just maybe let the Hawaiian shirt sit this one out…And lastly, avoid bright and neon colors. Unless your shoot is taking place in a graffiti park (totally have seen awesome shoots like this), stay away from bright or overly bold colors. One, they cast weird reflections onto your skin and two, should you choose to print your pictures (which, PS, you totally should), you want them to go with your home decor and/or be just as pleasing to you 10 years down the road as they are the day you hung them on your wall.
Layers are always great! Hats, vests, suspenders, scarves, you name it. Things that can be put on and easily removed will add variation to your gallery and the depth of layers and textures add dimensions to your photographs.
Below are links to some of my curated Pinterest boards. These are constantly updated to give you a visual of what’s on trend and to inspire you to put together your own amazing look. Contact me with any questions!
Can’t wait to see what you choose!