Listen, I know it can feel like an impossible task to pick out what to wear for photos. You suddenly feel like you have nothing to wear, but chances are everything you need is already in your closet! Here are a few guidelines I’ve put together so you can be sure to look your best, while still making sure the images are focused on your love, not what you’re wearing.
Full disclosure, I'm no fashion expert. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s easier for me to help others than it is myself and I barely meet society's standards on a regular day. I wear mostly athletic clothes and Birkenstocks with socks people so chances are, you're doing alright. Keep in mind, these are only guidelines, not rules. The most important thing to me is that you guys feel and look like yourselves, so you can look back on your photos and know that was you in this phase of life. I'll take care of the rest!
what the heck
SHOULD YOU WEAR?
the details matter
How do you envision your photos? Do you picture a classy city session, mountainous adventure or romantic beach session? Is there a hobby that brings you together or is there a location that is meaningful to you? Hiking, camping, campfires, kayaking, movie dates, library and coffee shop adventures - whatever it is you love to do! Are you drawn to fun and adventurous photos or calm and editorial? Are you constantly laughing or more serious? We take all of those things into consideration when planning your engagement session and what you should wear!
if you're still feeling lost
First off, I always recommend that you start thinking about this early and have options. To get the best results, I’ll pick and pull from pieces you've brought for you to change into. This way I can make sure the outfits compliment the environment so that the focus is on you, not on any distractions, which yes, can be your outfits. Locations and outfits go hand in hand for me because they play a huge role in how I shoot, edit, and ultimately how the final images turn out.
Don’t feel like you need to bring your whole closet though. It will take too much time for me to go through everything and will take time away from your session. For couples sessions, most people bring a couple of casual options and a couple of dressier options. If either of those aren't you, don't worry about it! Just a head's up - depending on where we are shooting, you’ll most likely be changing in the back of the car or in a forest. If you aren’t comfortable with that, prefer to go with one outfit or someone that would rather plan it all out in advance, that’s totally fine too. Just email me a few photos of the outfit options you have and we can pick it out together beforehand. I am here to help your vision come to life from picking out your outfits to delivering your final images - don’t forget that!
start here
Think about the conditions and locations we are going to be shooting in and plan around it. If we are going to be hiking around the mountains, bring shoes with good grip that you won’t twist your ankles in. You can change into your nice shoes (if necessary) when we get to our final destination.
If we are shooting on a sandy beach, just go barefoot. If it’s freezing cold outside, bring lots of layers and warm clothes with wool socks and boots. Ladies, this means no short and sleeveless dresses in the snow! If it’s going to be hot, bring clothes that can breathe more so you don’t have sweaty pit stains in the photos. Be as comfortable as you can be!
P.S. heels are almost always a bad idea in most scenarios, unless you’re freakishly good at walking in them haha.
it makes sense
MAKE SURE
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
I typically recommend sticking with neutrals and earthy tones - these tend to photograph best and also go with almost any environment. Earthy tones doesn’t mean just grays and browns, there’s neutrals of every color (mustard yellow, forest green, navy blue, burnt orange, etc).
Stay away from bright, fluorescent distracting colors. The only specific colors I typically recommend to stay away from are pinks, bright oranges, neon greens and reds.
Coordinate but don't match "too" perfectly.
Scroll through these images to see how the colors they're wearing interact with their environment
COLORS
It’s important to make sure what you’re wearing flatters your features. Everyone, regardless of their shape or size, has something that they are self conscious about and recognizing that when choosing your outfit is important. Here’s a few tips on how to help find a silhouette that compliments your body type.
+Fabric matters. Thinner fabric will cling to you and is recommended for looser/flowy dresses. If you’re wearing something tighter, thicker fabric, a simple pattern or texture will help smooth it out.
+Long hair will catch in thick collars or scarfs and can make it difficult to sit nicely. If you choose an outfit where those elements are essential, opt for wearing your hair up.
+Three quarter length or long sleeves create an awesome slimming effect on arms.
+Steer clear from shirts that bunch around midsections.
+If you’re self conscious about your legs, long dresses or jeans are the perfect solution.
+If you plan on wearing a shorter dress, make sure to have something under it in case it's windy!
FLATTERING
IS IT...
You will MOVE during your session! Whether that be dancing, piggy-back rides or running along a mountainside, these moments are what give your gallery life! You want to make sure that the materials you wear will keep you comfortable during the shoot not only for temperatures but also for being able to move around in. If you're in brand new jeans that are still stiff and tight, you might be distracted during the shoot trying to make sure everything stays in place as well as lets you sit and run and move around in. I recommend bringing clothes that are "broken in" so that you'll be as comfortable as possible.
MOVEMENT
- you can never go wrong with a good hat or unique accessories -
Avoid loud, chunky, crazy patterns. The more subtle, the better! You don’t want the pattern to be too busy or it can be distracting. I usually try to avoid pairing too many patterns together because, you guessed it, it makes the photos feel a little hectic and distracting from your faces and the location. Also, be sure to iron your clothes before so there’s not huge wrinkles distracting from your faces either!
Patterns
coordinate...don't match
I find it easiest if you start with women’s outfits first and then find something coordinating for him or the kids. Keep in mind, what you wear should be cohesive but not too “matchy matchy.” You should try to wear a different dominant color from each other but stay within the same family. So for example, if you are wearing a prominently cream floral dress with hints of soft blues and tans with nude flats, he could wear khaki pants with a soft cream shirt, a bold navy jacket and brown leather shoes. You’re going to primarily photograph in cream and him in navy.
Laying out your outfits in advance to make sure they coordinate well together is KEY.
A lot of people ask me whether or not they should get your hair and makeup done by a pro. Personally, I think whatever will make you feel best - do that. I want you to look and feel like YOURSELF. If you need help finding the perfect person for hair and makeup, I can connect you with some local amazing artists!
Choosing to DIY? That’s perfectly alright. I recommend applying makeup like you normally would with a little umphhh. Makeup with photograph lighter than it appears in person so don’t be afraid to apply it a little heavier than you’re used to. You can even add some bold lashes or a lip color that pops!
Avoid any drastic hair changes before you shoot. A nice trim or color you’re used to is a great way to prepare but a drastic change could leave you with photographs that don’t feel like you.
I know we all love tan skin but I really recommend that you steer clear of spray tans before taking photos! Cameras heavily bring out orange tones in your photos and your natural skin tone will always photograph nicer than an artificial one. With that said, I totally understand not wanting to be crazy pale, so if you insist on a spray tan, be sure to get a suuuuper natural airbrushed spray tan rather than one from a salon/tanning place. We don’t want you looking like an oompa loompa!
HAIR + MAKEUP
If you have anymore questions, just let me know. I am here to help! Don’t forget to relax, just be your yourself and have fun. There’s nothing you can do wrong if you are your authentic self! You do you, and I promise the photos will turn out amazing.
P.S. > That's me!
that's a wrap!
