10 Wardrobe Tips for Your Portrait Session
If you have invested in custom, lifestyle photography I bet that even though you are excited about your upcoming session you may also be a little stressed at the thought of figuring out what everyone should wear for your family portrait session. While I don’t style my families (I want you to look like you!), I do help with tips for putting outfits together because I want your photos to look good just as much as you do.
Here are my top 10 tips for putting together outfits:
- Be yourself! If you usually wear jeans, wear your best jeans. Don’t force your daughter to wear a dress if she hates dresses. If your son can’t stand button down shirts don’t put one on him. Find clothing that fits your style; it should fit well, be comfortable, and clean.
- Coordinate, don’t match. Dressing everyone in the same shirt and jeans is, quite frankly, boring. Rather, pick a color that you like and add 2 or 3 more that compliment each other.
- Avoid graphics and florescent colors. Graphics are distracting and go out of style so save that SpongeBob tee for another occasion. Florescent colors, and bright red, look great on-screen but do not print that well.
- Mom, this is your time to shine! Choose something you feel amazing in and build the family’s outfits around yours. Blow out your hair and kick your makeup routine up a notch, but just one!
- Dress in layers. Layers add visual interest and allows you to add or remove clothing based on the weather. Think scarves, cardigans, blazers, jackets, tights, boot cuffs, etc.
- Accessorize. Take your outfit to the next level by adding accessories such as a necklace, watch, belt and headband.
- Shoes. Shoes can make or break an outfit. They should be clean, in good condition, and coordinate with your clothing.
- Do a “test run”. Once you’ve selected your outfits, lay them out side-by-side to see if you like your pairings. Take a shot with your phone to see how it looks.
- Hair. Clean and styled hair never goes out fashion!
- Don’t be shy! Ask your photographer for help, they’ve done this a time or two and will be happy to give you some advice.
If you need some visual inspiration for what to wear to your family portrait session check out a site like Pinterest.
