The Wardrobe Chronicles: How to Choose Outfits for Your Next Portrait Session
OMG! I have nothing to wear.
Booking a portrait session encompasses so many ups and downs! First finding your trusted photographer, but no worries, you’ve found me (insert check mark) and then fitting the session into an already jam-packed schedule…and then the number one question, besides, ‘okay where do I put my hands,’ ‘What do we wear? Selecting the right outfits is crucial to ensure your photos turn out as stunning as you imagine. Today, we’ll take a journey through my thought process, and I’ll guide you through the process of choosing the perfect outfits for your photo session.
Location and Theme
First things first, start with the basics. Picking your location and theme is the foundation of yoru photoshoot. Before you go out and get a whole new wardrobe think of the vibe you’re going for and what’s the plan for the photographs? I’m an album and folio box type of gal, but there is this one spot in my house I’ve been dying to put up a beach family photo, but it’s so hot in Houston and come on Galveston, can you give me a heads up when you’ll have the clear blue water days? Are you shooting at the beach, in a park, or in a studio? Is it a casual, formal, or themed shoot? Your choice of outfit should harmonize with the surroundings and the mood you want to convey.
Coordinate, Don't Match…
Or match if you want to. Some photographers will argue, gone are the days of everyone wearing the same color or pattern in family photos, but it works for some families. I had the cutest family show up in your casual jeans and white t-shirt look and I was like OMG what’s going on, and it is really one of my favorite set of images of them! Plus I love finding matching outfits for my kids, so if you’re a matcher…I say match on. Now if you’re a non-matcher, like you could wear two different color socks and be okay, (me…and it drives my hubby nuts…sorry babe)…opt for coordinating colors and styles. Choose a color palette of 2-3 complementary colors that work well together. A quick search on google for color pallets is usually what I use to coordinate colors.
Dress to Impress
Select outfits that flatter your body type. If you're not sure what suits you best, I’m here to help! I love coordinating outfits and seeing my vision come to life from start to finish! I’m sure I’m one return away from getting my Amazon Prime membership cancelled, but hey…a girl (and kids) need options! I tend to stick to solid colors, subtle patterns, or textures and I usually gravitate towards neutral and earthy tones.
Have a back up plan
Plan Multiple Outfits-it’s great to have a back up option just in case. As a boy mama, I know how hard it is to keep a shirt and pants clean. I mean, its absolutely necessary to do a flip or slide when you get somewhere, especially around water, dirt or mud. This is normal, right?
Fashion Show…Fashion Show
I remember when we would go back to school shopping and we’d come home and have a fashion show so we could see just how the outfit look ed one more time. Test drive your outfits and make sure you look and feel good. Pay attention to the details grooming and accessories are small details that can make a difference. Try not to get too hung up on shoes, most of the time your feet won’t make it in my photo.
SMILE
Picking the right outfits for your photo session is an important part of ensuring beautiful, timeless photos. By considering the location, theme, and your body type, and by coordinating rather than matching, you can create a stunning visual story that reflects your personality and style. Remember, the key is to feel comfortable and confident in what you wear, as this will translate into beautiful and authentic photographs. So, put some thought into your wardrobe, and get ready to capture memories that will last a lifetime.
