Styling Your Session


As a photographer, I find myself getting asked, "what should we wear?!" ever so often. The idea of picking out outfits can be challenging! Which is why I have put together this blog post full of my best information for planning your session!


First, Ill start with the what to avoid/no-no list:

  • ball caps (dressier fedora type hats or cowboy hats are fine)
  • logos
  • patterns, especially large patterns such as plaid, large floral or stripes
  • neon
  • very short skirts (it limits poses)


Start with you (The Woman) Many women find picking out outfits for themselves the hardest. They find adorable little outfits for their kids & partners but then they are stuck when it comes to themselves. My best advice on this is... Make sure YOU feel confident and good about yourself in what you are wearing!! When you pick something you feel great in, it will show through in your expressions and the way you interact in photos. Then pick the other outfit(s) off yours! My poses are based on playfulness and movement. Pick clothes that will allow you to move freely and happily. Want a maxi/midi dress? Do it girlfriend! I'm a sucker for long flowy dresses and skirts because it shows movement and can be tossed around and played with during your session. Feel like flaunting Levis jeans, boots, and a pretty blouse? You'll rock that too! Pinterest is also a great resource for inspiration. Here is my link to my Pinterest board. https://pin.it/5CV1kIZnm


next up...THE MEN - I suggest neutral colors with no pattern (white, grey, taupe, beige, ivory, white or black). You can’t go wrong with a chambray/denim button up with sage, khaki or black pants as they match with almost everything you choose!

Color


Stick to earthy tones, pastels, or neutrals!! Choose a palette of 3-4 colors, including nuetrals. Use sublte notes of navy, earth tones like khaki, mustards/rusts, or pastels, all alongside neutrals (white, gray, beige, black). By choosing one or two colors that blend nicely together, and having the rest in neturals, the couple or group will be able to express their outfits creatively, but also blend together ever so nicely. Pinterest is a great resource for this as well! You can even find color palette examples to find tones that look good together.


  • COORDINATE, NOT MATCH: the days of matchy-matchy are over, and coordinating color palettes are in! Lay out the outfits on a bed to gain a good view, and pull colors from your own outfit to dress the rest. Layers and accessories can make a great statement when tying it all together.
  • USE SOLIDS: Its best for the focus to be on the beauty of the connection of the people. Neutral or soft earthy colours, solids, and lowkey texture vs. prints, works great. I would advise against logos, wording, large or bold patterns, neon colors, and ball caps as they all draw away from what I want to capture - your love!
  • CONSIDER LOCATION: Keep in mind where your session is taking place.” Does your oufit fit?" If your session is at a beach, match the vibe with something more casual or a maxi dress with sandals or bare feet, as heels likely wont make sense. Urban settings may require more dressing up with heels and a fancier outfit choice. A winter wonderland photoshoot would require boots and possibly dressy jackets for the family. Another rule I like to live by is... Bold busy location = soft neutral outfits. Natural or neutral locations= easy to wear almost anything with.
  • CONSIDER YOUR HOME DECOR: If you know forsure where abouts in your home you want to frame and hang your photos, you may want to consider the colors of the décor in that room. For example, If you wear mustard yellow to your session but your home accent colors with red, it may clash. Navy and neutral outfit coordination, with green home accents, on the other hand, would fit nicely.
  • DRESS UP: Your family, couples session, or engagement is something you will cherish and look back at for years to come. Don't be afraid to get dressier than you normally would, it’s fun, and you will really feel your best!

Winter Shoots


  • DRESS THE KIDS WARM: this is my biggest advice. Why? because children have tendency to get cold and cranky faster when exposed to cold, which can potentially cut your photos short. So, whip out the matching tuque and mitt set! Instead of a ski winter coat, opt for a wool dressy coat with a warm sweater under. You'd be surprised how many cute ones you can find nowadays!
  • USE VISUAL LAYERS: Try layering a collared shirt under a sweater with an opened long dress jacket, two sweaters with a cute vest, a dress jacket with a scarf, or a sweater dress with a blanket scarf. Pull out your strongest layering game and get cozy!
  • WEAR HIDDEN LAYERS AND HOTTIES: I want you to be comfortable and warm during your session, which is why its best to put as many hidden layers underneath as possible. Extra socks, under pants, under shirts, etc., anything that will look hidden and keep you warm. My best tip is to shove hotties (hot pack hand warmers) wherever possible! in your shoes, tape them to your legs and belly/back, and in your pockets! Its all about survival, folks!
  • INCORPORATE WINTER ACCESSORIES: knit beanies, toques, mitts, scarves, and boots are all great ideas and match the winter aesthetic!




Contrast


Contrast is the styling principle that will keep you from looking like monochromatic blob.


Simply put, contrast says put each family members in different values so they stand out from each other.


Heres what it looks like: let’s pretend Im shooting a couple they both wear black. When I edit their pictures, their black clothes blend together making it hard to tell where one person ends and the other begins. But if she wore black and he wore white they’re contrast and stand out from each other.


So if mama wants to wear a dark dress, dad should be in a lighter shade and baby in a medium tone. Or if someone is dark on bottom and light on top, then whoever they’re most likely to stand next to should be light on bottom and dark on top.


Contrast!