Tips on how to dress you & your family for pictures!
I get a lot of messages from clients asking what to wear for their photo session. There really are so many different combinations of style, looks, and color options you can choose from and it's easy to get lost in a sea of endless possibilities! Outfit choices are really a HUGE part of your pictures and how they will turn out. If you're spending the money to get professional pictures done, I know you want them to turn out amazing and one of the first steps to making that happen is putting some forethought into your wardrobe!
So I've put together a little list of tips to help you pick the perfect outfits! Follow these few simple suggestions to make the most of your session!
*Disclaimer - for each tip there are certainly exceptions to the rule and scenarios in which something I normally wouldn't suggest might just work perfect for your session! So don't view this as a list of rules! . . . Have fun with your choices!*
Tip #1 - Coordinate your outfits, but don't match.
This is number one for a good reason! Overall symmetry in your photos is great but everyone does not need to wear the same exact shirt in the same exact color to achieve this! If you have a color in mind, use it as your base color then play it up with complimenting colors!
Here's a perfect example of coordinating without matching! . . .
Tip #2 - Dress in layers . . . and don't forget the accessories!
This tip is not just for women! It's for the guys and kids too! The great thing about layers and accessories - not only do they completely transform a plain outfit and add so much interest but they can also be added or removed quickly to give you some variety in your pictures. Here are just a few layer and accessory ideas to think about . . .
- scarves
- hats
-gloves
- vests
- cardigans
- tights
- belts
- ties (bow ties!!!)
- hair bows for the kids
- suspenders
- jewelry
- boot socks ♥
Guys - Try wearing a sweater over your dress shirt! And maybe a hat? Check it out! . . .
And this little one knows how to layer! Look at that vest! ♥
Tip #3 - Consider where your images will be showcased!
Are they going to be hanging in your living room or another part of your home? If so you may want to consider your home's color scheme and room themes (nautical, vintage, country chic, etc.) when picking outfits. Or perhaps you're a recently engaged couple and your pictures will be used for invitations / save the date cards. In this case you may want to consider your wedding colors and theme when picking outfits! You may want your outfits to reflect your wedding color scheme!
Tip #4 - Lay your outfits out on the bed!
This seems pretty common sense but it's simple and it works! If you have a hard time visualizing what your outfits will look like together, lay them out next to each other on the bed! Pull different layers and accessories out of your closet until you find a combination that you love!
When I booked our first photo session back in 2012 for my husband & I was a little overwhelmed trying to pick outfits! Here's a throwback Instagram pic I took while I was putting together outfits and accessories on my bed! :) . . .
Tip #5 - Avoid Graphics!
Graphic t-shirts can be very distracting in a photo. I would strongly suggest to completely avoid them for a "normal" session . . . UNLESS there's a purpose to wearing it and it fits the theme of your session!
Here's a great example of when a graphic t-shirt works. It totally fit the feel of her senior session and reflected her personal style... Good choice, Tessa! :)
Tip #6 - The dreaded color - AVOID it!
This is very much my personal opinion . . . but if I had to pick one color that I would tell you to avoid at all cost . . . It would be this neon yellowish green color. I'm not hating on the color but in my experience it's bad for pictures. Do you remember as a kid putting a buttercup under your chin and how the color would reflect on to the skin of your neck? That's exactly what happens when you wear this color neon shirt! It reflects onto your skin giving you an unnatural yellowish green glow. I normally don't get a lot of adults wearing it but for some reason it's a popular choice with the kids and it looks cute on but does not do well for pictures.
Tip # 7 - Empty your pockets before your session begins
Once you've picked the perfect outfits, got everyone dressed and ready, and you've arrived to your session on time (good job, parents!) . . . There's one last thing to remember before your session starts. EMPTY THOSE POCKETS! You definitely don't want keys, cell phones, sunglasses, or an action figure your son may have brought along hanging out of your pockets!
Tip #8 - HAVE FUN with it!
Last but not least I encourage you to just have fun with it! Don't stress out over your outfits. Don't stress if something happens the morning of and you have to rework outfits! Just laugh it off and roll with it! The best accessory you can put on your whole family for your pictures is laughter and a good attitude! Get your family involved and make a fun day of it for everyone so that the next time it's picture day everyone remembers what a great experience it was the last time!
Hope this helps you pick the perfect look for your family!
For more tips and ideas visit my "Client Outfit Ideas!" Board on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/angelstanworth/client-outfit-ideas/
♥ Angel
