Top 5 What To Wear Tips For Your Next Photo Session
The question I get asked THE most as a photographer is “What do we wear for our photo session?” It comes as no surprise, though. It’s probably the hardest part of the process. And rightfully so — wardrobe can take an image from wonderful to fantastic. But, it doesn’t have to be scary, stressful or overwhelming. Promise!
I put together Style Guides and styling tools to make the wardrobe planning process easier and simpler for my clients. I share my knowledge from years behind the camera photographing just about every color and type of outfit you can imagine and I pair that with what I learned first hand working in front of the camera as a TV news reporter and anchor. It’s always fun to hear what tidbits clients found the most useful. Here are the top five favorite tips from my guides clients found most helpful when planning wardrobe:
Start with Mom. Yep, you read that right: Mom should choose her wardrobe first and then work everyone else’s outfits around her’s. Why, you ask? Well, 90 percent of the time, it’s Mom who books the photo session with me. The session is probably most important to her, so Mom should feel good about what she is wearing. That doesn’t always happen when she is the last to get her outfit together and is working it around what everyone else has.
Accessories ARE important. They polish off an outfit. Jewelry is an easy way to add a little “umph” or pop to wardrobe. Hats, scarves, watches, a vintage hair accessory, belts, bracelets, suspenders on boys etc… are all examples of accessories that can pull an outfit together and add a bit more detail to give dimension to the photograph.
3. Take the season into consideration. Choose colors that compliment the scenery. Think of the location of your photo session and the dominant colors — is it summer? There will be a lot of greenery. Rust, plums, marigold — all compliment the scenery. Going with a shade of green as a dominant color in your wardrobe can make you blend into the scenery when you want to stand out.
4. Steer clear of neon. Just say no to bright, neon shirts and dresses. They are just so vibrant and because of that, they cast their color on your skin. A neon green shirt will make your face and neck have a green tint to it.
5. Do not wear the same colors, patterns or shirts. Just don’t do it. Please. Everyone wearing the same color or the same pattern shirt photographs super flat. This might be my biggest suggestion to avoid. Group shots turn into floating heads in a sea of the same shirt.
Okay. I lied. I want to share six tips.
6. If you remember one thing from my tips, let it be this last one — whatever you choose to wear, feel comfortable and confident in it! That’ll shine through in your photos. If you are self conscious or don’t feel beautiful in what you wear, that will reflect in your photos, too. When you look back on your images, you’ll remember that instead of the love + moment captured.
Another way I love to help make the wardrobe planning process easier (and dare I say fun?!) is my client closet — I have hundreds of clothing and accessory options for babies, kids, teens, women and pregnant mamas. It’s totally complimentary and a simple way to find outfits that photograph beautifully without spending a dime! I also can plan your entire family’s wardrobe and provide links and flat lays with options. I do this quite often for my family session clients. Planning your photo session shouldn’t be stressful. It should be fun — that’s one of my goals and I’m here to make that happen!
