Style Guide

Bringing it all together…

• Taking the season into account, there will most likely be a lot of yellows, orange and browns. You don’t want to blend into the background by matching the foliage with everyone’s wardrobe. You still want to pop against the background. Patterns help do that.

• If you will be in fall florals, there will be more color, but the flowers tend to have darker earthtones (plums, burn orange and burn reds, marigold, etc…).

• Layers & textured or detailed fabrics bring more interest and dimension. Fur, denim or suede vests are a great example of texture AND layering. Overalls and overall dresses (pictured top right) are great layering and when the material is corduroy, it adds a touch of texture. Suspenders in the photo above and to the bottom right is great layering for boys.

• Patterns help break up outfits & people. Having one or two people wear a pattern or print breaks up the solid colors & also adds dimension and layers (which as we know, is a fabulous thing for photos!).

• When choosing colors, keep the color wheel in mind. I know, I am making you go way back to sixth grade art class, but complimentary colors are so appealing to the eye. For example — the photo on the bottom right has red + green in the wardrobe palette. Red and green are opposite on the color wheel, therefore complementary colors.

• Branching out to split/secondary colors is a great way to figure out what colors you might want to have other family members wear to compliment mom’s outfit. This is a great way to get started with extended family sessions, too.

• Another color wheel option is to choose the same color in a different tone, tint or shade.

Start with Mom.

• Yep, you read that right: Mom should choose her wardrobe first and then work everyone else’s outfits around her’s. Mom should feel good about what they are wearing and that doesn’t always happen when she is the last to get her outfit together and is working it around what everyone else has.

• Color palettes are a great starting point. Two to three complimenting colors with neutrals mixed in help you visualize how colors are going to work together (or not) and give you a springboard to start from.

• Neutrals are always a smart place to start when you’re stuck. Gray, cream, brown, denim/chambray — they’re all great to build from.

• I LOVE the way flowy, long dresses and skirts photograph for women. It brings movement to photographs and also is a beautiful feminine touch. This is always my first suggestion to women who don’t know where to start if you are a dress or skirt person, consider looking into maxi dresses or flowy skirts.

• If you aren’t looking to wear dresses, wearing a flowy blouse or loose sweater with a skinny pant is a way to bring movement into clothing, too. Check out the bottom photo for a great example — off the shoulder blouse also is flattering and adds flair compared to a regular crew neck or subtle v-neck blouse.

• Earth tones and jewel tones work very well with my editing style and the fall colors found in nature.

• Accessories polish off an outfit. Jewelry is an easy way to add a little “umph” or pop to your wardrobe. Hats (very bottom photo in her hand), scarves, watches, an antique 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.

• Shoes. I am biased, but shoes can really take an outfit to the next level. Take the photo below — the cute boots both girls are wearing pull their wardrobe together and looks polished. Boots are a perfect fall shoe.

What to Avoid

• Neon colors. Please steer clear of neon colors. 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.

• Small lines. Think pinstripe lines. Those close together, thin lines don’t photograph well and almost appear in photos like they are dancing. It doesn’t look well on a computer screen and it prints funky.

• Clothing with logos and a lot of writing. It draws the eye straight to the writing/logo instead of going straight to the people and their connection.

• Wearing the same colors or clothes. Everyone wearing the same color or the same pattern shirt looks super flat and is dated. This might be my biggest suggestion to avoid. Group shots turn into floating heads in a sea of the same shirt.

• Anything that makes you or anyone in the family self conscious or uncomfortable. It’ll show in photos & it’s best to go with clothing everyone feels good in.