Why what you wear to your next photo session could make or break your images.
Have you ever seen an image that made you feel something? You know what I’m talking about, an image that made your heart skip a beat. There are so many components that go into that image but, today I am going to talk about wardrobe.
I know what you’re thinking, wardrobe…what does that have to do with an image and the way it makes you feel? Wardrobe is a huge piece in the overall puzzle of a final image. Think about your favorite TV show or movie. The clothes that those characters wear help to bring the story to life. Picture the long red cloaks and white bonnets from the Handmaids Tail, the story wouldn’t be the same without that visual! The same thing happens with a beautiful image, the clothes paired with emotive storytelling bring the whole image to life and helps to really tell your story.
What Not To Wear
That hot pink dress may be beautiful but, when you wear that for your family photos the first thing your eye will be drawn to is the dress, making it the subject of your image. The same thing goes for any bold patterns like huge blocks of yellow and orange or other bright colors like neon green. There are certainly situations where these colors and pattern can be fun and appropriate but for most lifestyle and portrait sessions, they are a little overbearing.
Let’s talk about shoes for a second. These are tiny details that sometimes get overlooked. I see this the most in men. They have on a nice pair of dress pants and a button down with dirty old tennis shoes. This is just a no. I am not saying that you have to run out and get loafers or an expensive dress shoe. My wife wore white vans with her white pants suit at our wedding and looked beautiful! I’m just saying make sure your shoes match your outfit and that they are clean and in good condition. There is a time and place where old dirty shoes with a beautiful dress can add to the story but, for most sessions this doesn’t look nice.
What should I Wear Then?
As a dark and moody photographer I prefer to see my clients in deep tones like hunter green, burgundy, mustard yellow or even copper. These tones are rich and deep and bring a beautiful pop of color while still allowing the focus to be on you! I love to pair these with sophisticated neutrals like cream, brown, navy or even a sage green. Black and white are classics that will never go out of style. You can always throw on a black dress and be pretty much assured that it will look beautiful!
For the ladies I like to recommend a long flowy dress because the skirt creates movement which adds interest to your images. There are also so many shots we can create with a long dress or skirt! If a dress or skirt isn’t your thing that’s totally fine, you can always wear a pair of skinny jeans, dress pants or even dressy shorts paired with a beautiful top. There are a ton of different combos here so don’t be afraid to experiment and step out of your comfort zone. For the men in your life, I recommend a solid-colored pant or shorts and a nice button down or polo. If you are doing a family session then your brood should match you, if you are very dressy then dress everyone up, if you are more casual then keep everyone else casual as well. I like to tell my clients for reference, very dressy would be attending a wedding and dressy casual would be a nice dinner out with your family.
If you want to add some pattern into your style you can certainly do that by adding stripes or small checks, pin stripes are my personal favorite here. You can also go floral with a small print or more neutral-colored flowers. Small polka dots and wide stripes can be beautiful as long as they are not bright or bold, overpowering colors.
Don’t Forget About the Accessories
Photo sessions are supposed to be fun and what’s more fun than bringing some accessories for your shoot. A wide brimmed hat or beautiful scarf can infuse your personality into the session. If stilettos are your thing, then put those babies on, maybe just not at the beach or in the dirt…lol! If you partner loves bowties then wear the bowtie! Maybe you have a quilt that your grandmother made that means the world to you, bring it along and we can incorporate it.
The goal with accessories is to add your personality and uniqueness into the images. We want each image to tell the story of who you are as a person. It is also very important to make sure that you are comfortable and relaxed, so if heels aren’t your jam, go with the flats!
The Ultimate Take Away
I’ve given you a lot of information, these are all just suggestions according to what I’ve learned. These suggestions will give a beautiful look to your session but, they are not set in stone. Ultimately if you want to wear the hot pink dress to your family session because that is what you had your heart set on, then wear the dress and rock the session! What you and your family wear is not nearly as important as capturing true authentic emotion and telling your story well. Feeling relaxed and having fun is the true goal and will produce the most beautiful images!