☽ As you prepare for your session, it’s important to consider the how your clothing and color choices will impact the final outcome of your photos. First and foremost, wear what you feel good in. If you aren’t comfortable in what you’ve chosen for pictures, it will show.

☽ Dress for the weather, season and location. It’s always best to dress appropriately for the weather. If someone is sweating in the summer heat or too cold to function, it will reflect in your final images. If your session is scheduled for a chilly time of year, consider layering – layers not only add texture to photos, but they also give us the chance to shed articles of clothing to create different looks. Using the location to assist you in determining the style and color scheme you’re aiming for is always a great idea.

☽ Be stylish. Don’t be afraid to mix prints and textures. This is the best way to create feeling in your images.  If you’re choosing outfits for a family session, I always suggest beginning with an inspiration piece. Start with one outfit that you really like and build from there. And if there are multiple people in your party, choose a general style and stick to it. If dad’s in a suit and his son is in a tee-shirt and jeans, both with look out of place.

☽ Be mindful. Consider the way in which accessories will stand out in your photos. Belts, hats, vests, bowties, simple hair accessories, cardigans, necklaces – all of these elements can make for a dynamic look, while clothing that contains text or graphics is distracting from what is most important in the photo, you!  If you’d like your images to stand the test of time, opt for clothing that’s classic rather than super trendy. And… don’t forget about your shoes! They will appear in some of the photos, so choose wisely. Or just go barefoot, if you're like me ;) 

☽ Consider color. It’s best not to dress everyone in the exact same color; it can make a group of people positioned in close proximity fade together and get “lost” in the photo. I suggest choosing two or three main colors to work with. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to dressing the entire family. It will also make your photos pop. It’s always a good idea to coordinate, rather than match, so choose the colors you want to work with and find different pieces that incorporate some or all of the colors you’ve chosen. And keep in mind that not every person has to have on every color you have chosen. Splitting the colors up among everyone’s outfits will make your photos look more playful and less uniform. A few other tips on color: a) Steer clear of florescent; they will cast an unflattering glow on subjects’ faces. b) If you plan to include your pet(s) in your photo, be mindful of the color of their collar and leash. c) Avoid wearing a lot of green if you plan to have photos taken in grassy/wooded areas. You’ll want to be sure you stand out among the greenery, so choose colors that compliment: blues, neutrals, etc. 

☽ When including kiddos, you can never go wrong if you go timeless. A white lace dress with a simple bow, a plain diaper cover, sweaters and jeans are looks that are bound to stand the test of time. Dress your babes in clothes that fit rather than outfits that have room for them to grow into. Most important of all: choose outfits and/or items that allow your child’s personality to shine through. If they feel good, their truest character will come alive and be captured in the photos.

What to wear

Places I love to shop: 

Amazon
Target
Baltic Born 
Wren + Ivory
Lulu's 
Dry goods