What to wear for a photo session? 

You’ve booked your session, and are already envisioning your family in my photos and can’t wait to get them hung on the wall. But then you realize you have no idea what to wear! I think picking what to wear is the hardest part of a photo session(it always is for me at least), there are too many options and you want everyone to look the best! Hopefully booking me as your photographer was the easy part, but I want to make choosing your outfits easy as well. Follow these tips for ideas on what to wear to your next photo session. At the bottom I have also listed some ideas on where to shop for your outfits. 

As always, feel free to bounce your ideas off of me leading up to your session.

• Steer clear of fluorescents. Fluorescent colors tend to color cast on faces, necks and hair. They’re harsh sometimes. I always recommend versions of primary colors. Yellow (mustard), red (maroon, brick), and blue (navy, royal).

• Stay away from wearing a lot of green when having photos taken in grassy/wooded areas. It’s just too much green. Green as an accent color is great, though! You want to stand out amongst all the greenery you’re surrounded by.

• To get the flow going with wardrobe for your family, start with one outfit that you really like. From there, build from it for everyone else. In the image below, it was the dress their daughter is wearing that started the whole theme of their wardrobe.

• Wear what you feel good in! Moms and dads, this tip is for you specifically. If you aren’t comfortable in what you’ve chosen for pictures, it will show. If you can’t find a dress you feel good in, but you rock a good pair of skinny jeans, do that. If you can barely walk in heels, there’s no harm in doing cute and comfy flat boots or pretty sandals. If you can’t do a heel (like me), a wedge is a great alternative, too.

• Layer, layer layer!Layers add dimension and depth. In the summer? Layer your dress with a cute belt and pendant necklace. In the fall and winter? cardigans, belts, statement necklaces, scarves, hats, blazers, etc.

• Purchase clothes to fit, And fit well. I know we all have a hard time buying clothes for our kiddos that don’t leave a lot of room for growth, seeing as they do grow so fast. However, keep in mind that for pictures, too large of a polo shirt, saggy ill-fitting jeans or a jacket that’s falling off the shoulders looks sloppy. You’ll be purchasing outfits specifically for pictures, most likely, so choose something that fits perfectly, or even just a little bit snug. Make it look almost tailored. Go a size smaller in jackets, cardigans or blazers. A too-big jean jacket will not compliment shape. It hides hips and waist for moms. If you typically wear a size medium jacket, try on the small. Even if it’s just a little snug in the shoulders, it should lay nicely around your hips and waist, creating a tailored look.

• Matching is out. Coordinating is in. And anything goes nowadays! We know your family is together. We’re photographing you together! So, wearing the same colored shirt, pants, shoes, etc. looks a bit awkward. Coordinating color is what really brings wardrobe together. I usually choose two to three main colors of wardrobe, and maybe one accent pop of color. Also, mixing stripes with plaids and tweeds is okay! Expression is important. We want to see your personality through your wardrobe.

•  Dress for the weather, and be flexible. I’m sure you know this by now, but it can be 50 and cloudy one day, 75 and sunny 12 hours later. So, be prepared to be flexible with wardrobe, in case you have to switch it up last minute. If you have plans for a cute sundress for your daughter, and the weather ends up being 20 degrees colder than you were anticipating, switch it up a bit by adding layers. Tights, boots, scarf, slouchy hat, cardigan. Dress appropriately for the weather that day, even if it doesn’t go with your original plan. If your child is sweating profusely in a sweater during his shoot, he won’t be happy. And on the same token, if your child is wearing a tank dress and the weather dips too much in the evening, she’ll be a grump, and it’ll reflect in the final images. I speak these words from experience. There are a couple of instances I can think of that I should have taken this advice with my own kids!

Women’s Clothing Tips: 

1. Maxi dressesare flattering on every body type. Keep that in mind while shopping! Maxi dresses are usually a slam dunk for shoots, and they’re so versatile. Add a belt or a statement necklace with strappy sandals for the summer, or a belted fitted cardi and a scarf in the fall.

2. Skinny jeans are flattering on most women, even the curvy ones! Pair them with cute heels or wedges, and your legs look a mile long. If you’re overweight and don’t feel comfortable with the tighter fit, I recommend a fit called “skinny boot cut.” You can find them at American Eagle, Gap, and sometimes Old Navy.

3. Flaunt your best asset. If you’re self conscious about your stomach and upper arms, but like your legs. You will probably be comfortable in a shorter dress with a fitted blazer or cardi over it. Showing off your legs, but hiding the parts that you don’t like so much.

Child Wardrobe Tips

1. Dress your kiddos in clothes that fit perfectly, not with room to grow.

2. Shoes are a very important part of wardrobe.  Stay away from character shoes, flip flops, crocs, etc.

3. Remember, coordinating your childrens’ outfits is key. Not matching.

4. Hair piece tips. For babies, toddlers and older girls, I always recommend keeping hair accessories simple. When they are too big (think “gerber daisy” big), it distracts from their faces. 

5. The most important part of putting together your child’s wardrobe is allowing their personality to come through in what they’re wearing. If your daughter has a favorite pair of boots, let her wear them (at least in a few pictures). 

Favorite Places to Shop

Price points: $-cheap, $$-average, $$$-high, $$$$-expensive

1. Gap.com. They provide a great option for “basics.” Just about anything you’d need, you’ll find on their website. And Gap frequentlyoffers sales and discounts if you sign up for their email list, plus their sale rack prices are amazing! $$-$$$
2. Oldnavy.com. Great casual styles for the whole family. $-$$
3. Anthropologie.com. It’s a little bit more on the expensive side, but the clothes are quality, unique and last forever. $$$$
4. Jcrew.com.Their Crew Cuts kids line is probably one of my top 5 sites for kids clothes. Also, their shoe selection for kids alone makes me giddy. $$$$
5. HM.com. I consider H&M the holy grail for all things boy and men. And, they just recently started selling clothes online! Eep! Their price point is ridiculously low, and the clothes are my favorite. My boys’ closets are stuffed full with H&M swag. Their trouser pants are around $10 and are amazing quality. Amazing. Also, the cutest little cardigans, sweaters, button downs and other great accessories for super low prices. Keep in mind that H&M sizes are a little different, and they run big. If your son is an average size 4, buy him the size 3-4 pants. The 4-5 seems like the obvious choice, but they’ll be too long and too big around the waist. $-$$
6. Forever21.com. Cute clothes for women of allsizes (and men!) on the cheap. Take someone with you if you choose to shop in-store. It’s a little overwhelming. But honestly, they have some amazing wardrobe choices and the best (cheapest) jewelry that won’t break the bank. $-$$
7. Gymboree.com. Cute clothes for kids and if you shop at the right time you can get great sales. Avoid their clothes with logos or sayings on them. $$-$$$