So after a dozen emails, contract signed, deposit paid, you are ready for your photo session. Trust me I understand it was a process up until this point! Now comes the most important question for your photography session: What are you going to wear?
Booking with a specialized boutique photographer is an investment. You are spending a good amount of cash on professional quality images to create artwork for your home. Chances are you have booked with your favourite photographer because you love their shooting style. You want to make sure that you are happy with the end result and a part of this largely falls on choosing the proper attire.
So here are some helpful tips not only for my clients, but for anyone out their booking a professional session. Research your photographer.
Odds are you are attracted to what your photographer is offering (you did book with them!). Go ahead, creep away on their website and all of their social media accounts. This will give you an excellent indication of what clothing items work well for their style of photography. Is it a light, clean, airy look? Bold pops of colour? Casual? Formal? Some photographers are also very particular about colour schemes and will most likely tell you what to wear.
And of course, ask them! If they are a professional in the industry, they will have lots of amazing clothing tips for you, or even a guide to send you.
Pinterest
If your photographer hasn’t given you any advice, or you find their work varies in terms of clothing styles, then by all means, Pinterest. I actually have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest, but when it comes to clothing ideas, I love it. (Please don’t ever ask me to recreate a pose on Pinterest, that is a whole other Blog topic).
Gone are the days of denim bottoms and white tops. (Were you a 90’s kid like me?). To be blunt, I find matching outfits extremely cheesy and do not recommend it. You never dress the same in your day to day life, so why would you for family photos? Instead, think of your basics & neutrals: Denim; Black, White & Grey, or Brown, Tan & White. If you pick pieces out of your wardrobe with that in mind no matter what the style is. You are guaranteed to show up looking fresh and ready, but not like you just climbed out of a clown car.
Pick an accent colour
This tip is pretty self explanatory. Once you have your neutrals in place. Decide on one or two colours that can be easily added in by everyone. An easy example is coral & soft blue. These two colours work great with both genders and be seen in any item you choose. If you are really struggling on a colour, just stay with the neutrals! Remember, your colours can appear not only in your clothes, but anywhere else. Include them in
our accessories like scarves, jewelry, & shoes.
Accessorize & Layer
This brings me to my next point. Make your look exciting! Nothing is more fun than adding layers and fun jewellery. Even incorporate your everyday items such as jackets & watches. Bring lots of options that can be easily switched out. This will give you a lot of variety & looks within one session.
Dress for the Season
If you are working with a natural light photographer who primarily shoots outdoors (like me), you want your wardrobe to match the season & the time of day. Warm rich colours with boots, jackets & scarves doesn’t make sense in the middle of July (and who wants to be sweating during their photos anyway?). Think about the time of day. If you are shooting in the evening with soft, warm light, play up the pastels & cozy looks. If your photographer likes to shoot in full sun with lots of colour, then something a bit more fun & cheerful will work for attire.
Avoid Logos, not Patterns
A common misconception is staying away from the strips, checks & plaid. While you don’t want to overdo it (think of a family full of Paul Bunyan’s), you don’t have to avoid it. This is when the communication & organization comes in to play with everyone who will be attending the photo shoot. work together to add some patterning among the group. It will add nice texture to your final product.
One thing to avoid is the ‘branded clothing’. I’m talking the shirts/shoes/hat that have plastered their logo very noticeably across the front of clothing. This can really date a photograph depending on the logo. You want your images to look timeless. As crucial as it is to consider your clothing, the most important thing to stand out in the photograph should be you.
Feel Good, Look Good
Lastly, & most important in my books, you want to feel good. Pick out clothing options that you love! Nothing makes my day better than putting on my comfy jeans or my favourite shirt in the morning. If you pick clothes that you love, your confidence will shine through!
