Just booked your photo session? So exciting! A family or branding photo session is a wonderful way to capture your unique personality. Your outfits can really enhance how your photos turn out, so they should reflect your style and make you feel confident.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by wardrobe choices, don’t worry. Choosing the perfect clothes for a photo session can feel challenging—especially when coordinating everyone’s outfits—but I have some easy-to-follow guidelines that’ll make wardrobe planning a breeze!
Coordination > Matching
While matching outfits can be tempting, don’t do it! It’s often better to coordinate instead because it allows everyone to express their own style and individuality while still looking pulled together.
Coordination involves choosing complementary colors and styles that create a cohesive look without being too uniform. For instance, instead of everyone wearing the exact same outfit, consider selecting a color palette with tones that work well together. For example, a family of four could choose different shades of blue or a variety of neutral tones for a cohesive yet varied appearance.
Beyond color, coordinating outfits also involves considering styles and textures. You could choose a mix of casual and semi-formal attire, such as jeans and button-down shirts for men, dresses or skirts for women, and casual pants or shorts for children. This combination creates a balanced and beautiful look without feeling overly rigid.
Choosing a Color Palette
When deciding on a color palette for your outfits, think about the location of your photo session and the time of year. Bright colors might be more appropriate for a summer outdoor session, while darker tones might be better for a fall or winter session. Color greatly influences the vibe of your photos, so if you’re unsure of what you’re going for, reach out to your photographer (hi!) for some guidance.
If your family is leaning towards black, you’ve GOT to break it up with another neutral color. This will keep your photos from looking too dark and gloomy. You can always add shades of gray, beige, or white to create a more balanced look while keeping black in the mix.
Comfort is Key
It’s essential to choose clothing that you feel comfortable and confident in—trust me, it’ll show if you’re uncomfortable in your photos! To make sure you can move freely and fully participate in the session, try to avoid anything too tight or restrictive. When you can’t move around, it’ll not only affect how you pose, but you’re much more likely to lose patience with the photo-taking quickly.
I highly recommend opting for super comfortable fabrics like cotton, linen, or jersey.
Keep the Location in Mind
The location of your photo session should also influence your outfit choices. For example, you don’t want to wear a blazer if we’re taking your photos in the woods (a client DID pull it off one time, but let’s not do it again). If the outfits are out of place in the chosen location, it’s going to draw attention away from your beautiful face and pull the focus to the clothing.
For example, if you’re planning to take photos on the beach, consider wearing light, flowy dresses or shorts. If you’re having a session in a park, you might want to choose more casual clothing like jeans and a T-shirt. I promise it’ll make a big difference in the end product!
Am I Your Photographer? Reach Out!
If you’ve booked (or you’re thinking of booking) a session with me, I’m here to help! I totally understand how overwhelming choosing and coordinating outfits can be, so please let me know if you need additional guidance.
I offer full, personalized styling recommendations to all of my clients, and I even have a Pinterest FILLED with shoppable items. It’s truly that easy!
Ready to Book Your Photo Session? Here’s What You Need to Do:
- Learn more about my family and portrait services here.
- Find out more about branding sessions here.
- Choose which type of session you want and book directly on the website. Or, if you have questions, fill out my contact form to inquire!
