What to Wear Guide
Dressing for Photos
What to Wear Guide
the time to select clothing that not only compliments the individual but also suits the environment. The way each person’s wardrobe pieces come together can create the potential for stunning photos. Considerations such as comfort, fit, weather conditions, and personal preferences are all important. Here are some detailed ideas for dressing your family for a photo session.
Coordinating Colors, Not Matching
Choose a few colors and select clothes that fit within this color scheme. Typically, focusing on three complementary colors works best. Aim to alternate tops and bottoms; for example, instead of having everyone wear a blue shirt, you could have one person in a blue shirt and another in blue pants.
Simple Patterns
Limit patterns to just one person in the group. The rest can wear solid colors. For example, if one person is in a plaid shirt, the others should choose solid hues. If mom is wearing a floral dress, the rest of the family can opt for clothing with minimal patterns.
Clothing Collections
Consider shopping for the family at a single store. Many retailers carry coordinated clothing across different sections. For instance, options for boys, girls, men, and women in the same store may have similar colors and styles.
Accessories
Accessories like earrings, necklaces, bracelets, ties, hats, scarves, belts, watches, headbands, and rings can add interest to an outfit. Just be sure that one person doesn’t wear all the accessories at once.
Textures
Different types of materials create visual texture in an image. Fabrics such as scarves, sweaters, denim, vests, lace, crochet, and linen can add great depth to your photos. Linen, gauze, and flowy materials photograph particularly well, while clingy fabrics should be avoided.
Consider Your Surroundings
If you plan to be in a lush park, avoid wearing green to prevent blending into the background. Conversely, if the backdrop is white and simple, consider wearing a pop of color. The key is to avoid camouflaging yourself within your environment.
Footwear
Shoes should coordinate with the style of your clothing. Women can choose from sandals, heels, or boots depending on the season, while men should opt for loafers, dress shoes, or casual athleisure shoes. Sneakers should be avoided, and be mindful of socks—they should match your pants and shoes. We want to avoid white socks showing between dark-colored pants and shoes.
Keep It Classic
Aim to wear timeless clothing styles that withstand the test of time. Portrait sessions are not the best time to showcase overly trendy outfits or hairstyles, as they may quickly become outdated. Classic outfits help keep the image timeless. For ladies, consider the length of skirts and ease of movement; overly short or tight clothing can be challenging to photograph well.
Grooming
Take a moment to check your hair, nails, and facial hair. Freshen up any nail polish and ensure you are clean-shaven or have a well-groomed beard for the best appearance.
Hair and Makeup
Investing in a professional hair and makeup artist is highly recommended. These specialists can apply makeup that photographs beautifully. While the makeup may appear heavier in person than what you typically wear daily, it will look great in photos. A skilled artist knows how to choose tones and techniques that enhance your features. I work with several artists who are active in the photography industry and can recommend them.
Details Make a Big Difference!
When preparing for photo day, it’s important to choose amazing outfits. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Avoid Matching Outfits: Coordinating outfits are not in style.
- No Neon Clothing: Bright neon colors can reflect on the skin.
- Skip the Casual T-Shirts: Avoid shirts with phrases like “My dog ate my homework.”
- Limit Graphics: Choose clothing without pictures, phrases, or large logos.
- Steer Clear of Small Patterns: Tiny plaid or small designs can create an odd effect on camera.
- Leave Sneakers at Home: Please do not wear your yard shoes.
- Grooming Matters: Remove any chipped nail polish and ensure everyone is well-groomed for the photos.
- Check for Food Residue: Be sure to check children’s noses and teeth for any bits of food or other remnants left on their faces.
Following these tips will help ensure everyone looks their best on photo day!
Shopping Suggestions
- Feltman Brothers
- Boden
- Janie and Jack
- Trish Scully
- Hope and Henry
- JCrew
- Sherri Hill
- Lulus
- Altar’d State
- Dollcake
- Joyfolie
- Ivy City
- Hill House
- Nothing Fits But