5 Tips for Choosing Your Wardrobe
Whether it’s me taking your photos, or another awesome photographer; here are some tips to help!
Choosing the perfect outfit for a photo session can get frustrating, and putting together a cohesive look for a family can be, um, a bit of a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be! Even when choosing outfits for more than one person at a time, I’ve found that creating a breathtaking look for your session -- if done right -- can actually be a whole lot of fun!
The key is to plan ahead, dress for your body type, and communicate with your photographer. But beyond those three simple tips, here are my five tried-and-true tricks for helping clients create the perfect wardrobe for a photo session!
1. Secure your own outfit before assisting others
Once you find an outfit you love and feel comfy in, finding a look for the rest of the crew will be so much easier! The dress levels will drop, and you’ll have a guidepost to follow as you put the rest of the collection together. I’ve also found this saves on time. Because you know your own wardrobe best, choosing the first outfit from your own clothes makes this the quickest way to set the tone for a session. And don’t forget: you’re the one planning this whole shindig, after all! So you deserve to look like a queen!
2. Play around on Pinterest
If you don’t have an outfit ready to go -- or you’re struggling to build a look from what you’ve selected -- don’t be afraid to hop on trust old Pinterest! I swear by a good Pinterest search when I’m looking for inspiration! Just try typing in something that fits your session, like “fall engagement photos” or “winter photoshoot outfits.” Try different searches until you find the one that works. Then scroll away, screenshotting your favs! You can even find some killer color palette recommendations. So, if you’ve already chosen to wear a maroon t-shirt dress, use Pinterest to find the perfect color pairings for the rest of the wardrobe!
3. Keep the outfit changes to a minimum
I know it’s tempting to bring your entire closet to play with during a photo session, but trust me! The simpler you keep your session, the more relaxed you’re going to feel. If you need help narrowing down your outfits in advance, feel free to give me a text! But on the day of the session, I really recommend sticking with two outfits: one dressy and one casual. That way, we will have a wide variety of looks with the least hassle.
If you really want to see more range than what two outfits can give, consider accessorizing over changing! Bring a jean jacket, plaid blanket scarf, or a floppy hat! This way, we can swap them out for different photos to get different looks if you want to. But I promise you, on the day of your session, you’re going to be thankful you kept things as simple as possible!
4. Consider your photographer's editing style
You know all those warm tones and creamy neutrals that drew you to a photographer in the first place? Well, if you loved the look of your photographer’s Instagram feed or website, using it as a guide on what to wear is a great idea! For example, I feel that oranges, mustard, pinks, and maroons look so beautiful in my editing style. However, bright blues...not so much. Can I make it work? Of course! But if you came to me for my signature style hoping for photos to match, choosing outfits that look best within that style are an excellent idea!
5. Add a little something-something to fancy up your look (even if it’s just for a few photos!)
Finally -- and probably most challenging for me when I step in front of the camera -- think about jazzing your look up a bit! If you (like me) spend your days with hair in a ponytail and absolutely no makeup on, try something a little new and different! Grab a fun shade of lipstick from Target or get some mascara from Sephora! Nothing fancy, but just a little something extra. Or, if you’d really like to make a day of it, consider booking a hair and makeup artist for the morning of your session. This way, you’ll look absolutely incredible without having to lift a finger!
At the end of the day, the best photo sessions happen when everyone involved feels comfy and confident! So, if all else fails, have everyone stick to looks they love and clothes that fit just right. And don’t forget to bring snacks! Then, I’ll take it from there.