What to Wear to Your Photo Session
What to Wear to Your Photo Session
One of the most stressful parts of planning your family photo session can be choosing what to wear for yourself or your whole family. This step doesn't need to be the reason you put off getting photos taken. Let yourself have fun, get creative, and always remember that what's most important are the people in front of the camera, not the clothes.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Illustrate who you are. Find the outfit that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful. You may look unnatural in your photos if you feel uncomfortable in your clothing. Wearing something that enhances your mood will brighten your confidence in your images. You'll want your outfit to be comfortable, but opt for something that flatters your figure rather than something too tight or loose. After you've found the outfit that makes you feel like you're ready to take on the world, move on to coordinating the rest of the family with yourself. Try to visualize the artistry from the output of your photo session. Where do you want these photos showcased in your home? The colors should coordinate with the vibe in your abode. If you want to add more pizzazz to your home, opt for more layers, patterns, colors, and textures.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Don't be afraid to be bold. Branch out and make a statement! Adding those layers, patterns, and textures can enrich the mood, contrast, interest, and depth captured in your images. Pops of color that compliment other clothing can add intensity and spunk! Mike Glatzer is a photographer out of Atlanta, Georgia; I found what he wrote about colors to be pretty fascinating, "As a result of evolution and societal development, people assign specific meanings to different colors. We do this unconsciously and automatically. Therefore, it’s important to select colors that fit your personality and the tone of the message you’re trying to convey in your pictures. Once you learn the common meanings of colors, you’ll never look at branding the same ever again! You’ll also be pickier with what you wear on an interview or a first date!" Glatzer went on to list different colors associated with their emotions. He said red is associated with passion, energy, intensity, and determination. Orange is linked with optimism and sociability. Yellow is a cheerful and intellectual color. Green is about balance and growth. Blue emits trust, peace, and loyalty. Purple is girly, nurturing, and loving. Brown is the color of comfort and security. Gray is an unemotional and transitional color. Gold embodies success, triumph, and luxury. White is pure, perfect, and innocent, and black is mysterious and hidden.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Would you prefer to stay neutral? You can never go wrong with a more natural, muted, and earthy color palette for your photos. It's all about illustrating who you are and what you want to be captured! These will be sure to coordinate with any home and have such a timeless feel. Remember, even with the more neutral palette, you can branch out with those added layers, textures, and patterns.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Care to add more? Creative props can also add more depth to your photos! Photographer Bec Zacher from the Gold Coast suggests blankets, picnic rugs, linen throws, wraps, hats, blankets, or shawls. If you plan to bring these additions, make sure they coordinate with what you already have going on.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Bring on the pets. If you've got a furry friend that's a part of the family, bring them along for the fun! Pets can bring more warmth from your home, a piece that draws everyone together. They make for fantastic action shots and an interesting subject to include. Do I need to mention that they add texture and color? Consider bringing a leash and friend along to help entertain your pet for photographs they won't be included in.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Location and weather. Look ahead at the weather forecast for your session date. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather conditions that day. Be aware of your surroundings; photographs taken in the mountains instead of the beach would have very different clothing and foot attire.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Glasses and jewelry. If you wear glasses most of the time, you should wear those for your photos to capture your authentic self. If you wear jewelry regularly, put it on for your photos! Make yourself visible as who you are on the daily! If you don't prefer to wear jewelry, don't over-accessorize for these candid moments.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Reach out and bring options. Contact your photographer if you still need to decide what to wear for your photo session! They may have some good suggestions and sources for your big day. If you need more clarification on a couple of outfits, bring those with you to your photo session to help narrow down what you'd like in that environment.
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Where to shop. If you still need something in your wardrobe that will fit the bill for your photo session, here are some stores offering spectacular wardrobe options! Try shopping online at Joyfolie, Zara, Free People, Buckle Old Navy, Target, Gap, H&M, Pink Lily, and Shein. You may even hit the lottery and find some gorgeous options at a local thrift store, so don't rule out that option!
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Get a visual. I'll drop some links below with some good visual resource guides!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77124212357688179/
https://www.pinterest.com/tishoconnorphotography/families-what-to-wear/
https://styleandselect.com
https://azphotojax.com/blog/2020/3/18/high-school-senior-portrait-style-guide-ideas-and-inspiration
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Photo copyright: Shea Finley
Take away. Remember, what matters the most is that you get the photos taken. What's important is that you and your loved ones are captured. In years from now, you won't fret or obsess over the outfits you were wearing, but you will obsess over those familiar faces staring back at you. Regardless of what you have available to you, schedule that session, take those photos, and remember those moments.
Tips from fellow photographers.
Maren Elizabeth, out San Tan, Arizona says, "The outfits you choose to wear for your session should reflect your style, both individually and as a family-however, the colors, textures, and styles will play a huge part in the way your photos turn out!"
Style and Select, a group interviewed with Unscripted, say a mistake they often see is "Women think, the baggier the better, but that can't be further from the truth! ALWAYS wear something that is shape defining"
Kristen with KM Photography says, "Many of the guys love to mix a suit coat, blazer, or sport coat with a different pant color. It adds some visual interest and breakup the color tones. I'm a big fan of this fresh take on a timeless look."
Kristen also has this tip, "As you're coordinating your outfit with your family, keep in mind that your outfits will look the most cohesive on camera when the color palette and wardrobe pieces coordinate, but don't actually match. In fact, I recommend that you avoid thinking about matching and instead think about what fits together. This will create more visual interest, and allow each personality to shine through."
Resources.
AZ Photo Jax. High School Senior Portrait Style Guide/Ideas and Inspiration. https://azphotojax.com/blog/2020/3/18/high-school-senior-portrait-style-guide-ideas-and-inspiration
Bec Zacher. What to wear to your photo session. https://beczacher.com/blog/what-to-wear-to-your-photo-session
Glatzer, Mike. How to Choose the best Colors to Wear to Your Photos. https://mikeglatzerphotos.com/how-to-choose-the-best-colors-to-wear-for-photos/
Kristen. The Portrait Session Style Guide For a Stress Free Experience. https://kristenmarcusphotography.com/portrait-style-guide
Maren Eleizabeth. Style Guide. https://www.marenelizabethphotography.com/style-guide/
Pinterest. Families/What to wear. https://www.pinterest.com/tishoconnorphotography/families-what-to-wear/
Pinterest. Photography Style Guide. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77124212357688179/
Style And Select. A Photography Style Guide For Clients. https://unscriptedposingapp.com/blog/styling-guide-for-clients-by-style-and-select
Style And Select. Photographers, tired of hearing What Should we Wear? https://styleandselect.com
Shea Finley.
