Choosing what to wear for a portrait session can feel stressful, especially if you are trying to dress more than just yourself! I have created this guide not to overwhelm you, but as a helpful resource so that you feel confident in your choices and end up with images you will love for years to come!
-Wear something comfortable. You will feel more natural and relaxed in front of the camera which will not only make the shoot more enjoyable, but will make your images better.
-Match your setting. You wouldn’t wear a sundress in the snow-capped mountains... dress for your environment! The idea is to make your photos look as authentic as possible.
-Dress in layers. Colorado weather can change quickly. It doesn’t hurt to plan on sweaters/jackets that match your outfit or be prepared to remove them if it’s too warm. Having layered outfits can give your photos more texture, detail, and depth, as well as variety.
-Don’t be afraid to add personality! Are you not a full-length dress kind of girl? Feel more comfortable in jeans and a tee? Don’t feel like you have to wear something you would never wear just because you saw a pretty photo on Pinterest. You will enjoy your photos more years down the road if you stay true to who you are and the things you feel the most YOU in.
-Pick items based on textures & movement. Different textures give photos depth and interest. Natural fibers like linen, cotton, or wool look great in pictures. Don’t get stuck on the idea that photos are just a frozen moment, you WILL be moving a lot while we’re shooting! It’s best to avoid stiff garments, such as collars, as they often get tucked in weird spots or other clothing choices that may need constant adjustments.
-Pick a color scheme. Aim for soft neutrals, earthy tones, and metallics. These colors compliment outdoor environments and look great in prints. Bright colors can be beautiful, but sometimes distract the eye away from the main subject (you!). A good rule of thumb is to choose to either compliment or contrast your environment. Mustard in a deep green field will be striking whereas a busy, hot pink pattern won’t feel cohesive or planned. For famillies, I would say keep it limited to no more than four colors. You can choose one person to wear a feature color and have everyone else’s outfits compliment that. Females have so many different options - I suggest starting with mom’s outfit and building from there.
-Compliment each other, don’t match each other. If you’re all wearing the same thing or same color, it makes it hard to tell where one person ends and the other begins. Choose outfits that showcase a variety of colors, textures, accessories, patterns, and tones. The idea is to have everything look good together without looking the same.
-Be careful with patterns. Avoid large patterns or patterns using images/fine details. Usually, subtle smaller patterns work best such as flannels or light florals when they compliment the location. Be careful with stripes - a subtle, medium size stripe can look lovely but thin pinstripes can often turn your shirt into a crazy, dizzy pattern! Try to limit to one pattern and not one on every person.
-Logos. Like crazy patterns, clothing with writing or logos on it tends to be distracting. I advise to stay away from anything bigger than a quarter.
-Add some fun with accessories. Hats, socks, jackets, and belts can jazz up any outfit. I love wide-brim hats, not so much baseball hats as they don’t photograph well and can make posing together awkward. When it comes to necklaces, I advise against anything large that rests against your shirt. Keep it dainty to keep the focus on (surprise) YOU! Watches are difficult as they often reflect light, so I suggest not wearing them, especially for a couple/family session where your hand may be close to someone’s face. Apple watches -
leave them at home! Use this hour or two as a break away from your device and enjoy the moment!
-Shoes. Ah, the final touch! You didn’t spend hours planning ever other detail only to stop at your ankles. Your feet will definitely be in some of the photos, so don’t forget about them! If you can rock heels and your location is mostly flat terrain, go for it. If you find heels uncomfortable - then by all means, ditch them! Pretend I’m not following you around with a camera and wear what you normally would in your location of choice. Boots look great in the mountains, barefoot makes sense on a beach. I say stay away from flip flops because they are awkward for posing, walking, and just don’t look flattering in photos.
-Make-up, nails, & hair. I suggest wearing your normal amount of makeup with a little blush and lipstick. A full face or none at all, wear what you need to feel confident and beautiful! Nails are something we tend to forget about sometimes, please be sure fingernails are clean and nail polish is not chipped. I suggest wearing a neutral color as bright colors can sometimes be magnified in photos. As for hair, I love the movement that wearing it down gives photos, but if you’d rather wear it up - go for it!
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I hope this helps, but if you need any assistance, feel free to reach out and we can tackle this together!