What to Wear

FAMILY PORTRAITS

  • START WITH MOM when coordinating outfits for the family. If mom doesn’t feel like she looks fabulous, she will not love the portraits. ALWAYS start with mom.
  • When deciding what to wear for your portrait session, pick a palette of 2 - 3 colors. Think in terms of tones: blues, earth tones, neutrals, pastels, etc. Everyone in the family can express their own sense of style AND the whole group will coordinate beautifully.
  • COORDINATE, don’t match! It's best to avoid "matchy-matchy" (e.g. everyone wearing the same color top), instead COORDINATE within your chosen color tones / palette.
  • Avoid wearing all white or all black clothing. If everyone wears it, the image may feel a bit dull and pop less.
  • Skip logos and character/branded items (e.g. Mickey Mouse or Nike swoosh t-shirt). They don't photograph well.
  • Mix mostly solids and some subtle patterns and textures. Patterns are great in small doses and add a lot to your portraits.
  • Avoid excessive use of bold, large prints that can distract from the image. You want your portraits to be about you and not merely your outfits.
  • When in doubt, opt for timeless and classic over ultra trendy – unless that's your vibe.
  • Jeans are always in style.
  • Flowy shirts and dresses may be really comfortable or currently in style; however, they can hide your shape and be less flattering in portraits. Look for clothes that are neither overly baggy nor too tight. Think about balance between your upper and lower half. If you have a flowing skirt, choose a fitted top or with a loose top, choose skinny jeans.
  • Play with layers! Layering (cardigan, shawl, scarf, etc) can make a huge difference in tying together color palettes and adding small pops of color.
  • Accessorize. Bring a hat, use a scarf in your hair, add bracelets and / or necklaces.
  • Remember the shoes! Shoes have the power to complete an outfit or... completely destroy it. Avoid bright white shoes, athletic sneakers and kids’ shoes with cartoon characters and sparkles. If you can’t find shoes you love, consider having the family go barefoot for the session (just bring shoes to walk around at the location!).
  • Keep your outfits simple and comfy. If the outfit makes you feel self-conscious, it will show in the portraits.
  • Bring outfits that allow you movement and the ability to change positions (sitting, standing, walking.)
  • Iron, steam, lint roll your outfits right before you start the portrait session. Wrinkles are very noticeable in portraits and often canNOT be taken care of in post production.
  • Feel free to text me a photo of your outfit choices and I can offer advice regarding what will photograph the best.


HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

  • Choose diverse outfits – one casual, one formal, one that showcases your personality or passions. 
  • Jeans are always IN and never out of style.
  • Iron, steam, lint roll your outfits right before you start the portrait session. Wrinkles are very noticeable in portraits and often canNOT be taken care of in post production.
  • Avoid excessive use of bold, large prints that can distract from the image. You want your portraits to be about you and not merely your outfits.
  • When in doubt, opt for classic over ultra trendy (unless that's your vibe.)
  • Remember shoes for each outfit! Shoes have the power to complete an outfit or... completely destroy it. Don’t forget socks, if applicable to your look.
  • Accessorize. Bring a hat or sunglasses, use a scarf in your hair, add bracelets and / or necklaces.
  • Hair, makeup, and nails may seem like minor details. However, these decisions may still require some planning and should not be left for the last day. Do not leave chipped nail polish on for portraits. It will show.
  • Plan ahead with hair. Most haircuts look their best within 0 to 2 weeks after the initial cut. Guys should shave the day of the shoot but be careful with nicks or razor burn rash.
  • Consider the location of your portrait session. The location(s) of your senior portraits can significantly impact your overall look.
  • Consider glasses glare. If you do not have non-glare coating on your lenses, consider asking your optician to remove your lenses from the frames for the portrait session. Most will do this at no charge, but give them plenty of notice so there is no rush.
  • Short skirts and plunging necklines may look cute in person, but they are going to severely limit the photographer’s ability to pose you without accidentally showing more skin than intended. For outdoor portrait sessions, you may want to sit on the ground or lean against things.
  • Prepare for Senior Portraits. Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, avoid sunburn or major makeovers. Consider how the weather may affect your look.
  • Feel free to text me a photo of your outfit choices and I can offer advice regarding what will photograph the best.
  • Above all: Just be yourself. Relax and have fun!


PERSONAL BRANDING / SELF-MARKETING

A personal branding photo session isn’t just any photo shoot. A lot more goes into it. More planning. More intentional thoughts about your brand messaging. It’s deeper than the average photography session. You have to be intentional about how you want to come across through your images.  

  • Plan outfits in their entirety ahead of time. This is a big one. Take the time to try things on ahead of time to make sure you love each outfit on you. Make sure you’ve got everything cleaned a few days in advance and hang them up to reduce any wrinkles. There’s nothing worse than a cute outfit with creases down the front!
  • Wear outfits that make you feel confident!
  • Plan accessories for each outfit, such as jewelry, sunglasses, hats, etc.
  • Play with layers. A well-fitting outer layer will enhance your body’s silhouette and photograph nicely.
  • Pockets make for a great posing option.
  • Avoid horizontal stripes. Instead, opt for vertical stripes if you do stripes.
  • When in doubt, opt for timeless and classic, over ultra trendy (unless that's your vibe.)
  • Remember shoes for each outfit! Shoes have the power to complete an outfit or... completely destroy it. Don’t forget socks too, if applicable to your look.
  • Iron, steam, lint roll your outfits right before you start the portrait session. Wrinkles are very noticeable in portraits and often canNOT be taken care of in post production.
  • Incorporate brand colors into your clothing choices. Small pops of colors are a great nod to your brand colors.
  • Each person’s skin tone is made up of unique overtones and undertones. Here is a helpful article with easy ways to determine your skin’s undertone.
  • Feel free to text me a photo of your outfit choices and I can offer advice regarding what will photograph the best.