Styling Stress-Free
Finding outfit inspiration for your photo session shouldn't be stressful! Use this styling guide to assist in planning your outfits for your upcoming photo session.
01. Choose Your Outfit First
When planning outfits for your session, it can be so stressful trying to decide what everyone should wear and tearing endlessly through everyone's closets to try and find coordinating outfits. I always tell my booking client to choose their outfit first and then plan everyone else around it! Your confidence will shine through if you are dressed feeling your best and it will be easier to pick coordinating pieces once you have your outfit chosen.
02. Coordinate outfits for everyone else
Finding coordinating outfits for your spouse or family is the fun part of outfit planning! The pieces you choose for your session allows your personal style to shine through. Try not to focus on matching so perfectly with exact colors, but plan around a color scheme and choose 2-3 colors to incorporate into your wardrobe. Complementing tones will always look great visually and avoiding neon or bright colors is always a safe choice.
03. Textures & patterns
The safest choice may seem to be keeping everyone in solid colors and to avoid patterns, but adding different patterns and textures to your outfits will add dimension to your photos. When it comes to patterns and textures remember that less is always more, dressing half the photo party in stripes can be too busy when photographed. Instead, try to incorporate subtle differences. For example mom dressed in a long silk dress, dad dressed in jeans and cotton collared tee, one child in a corduroy overalls with a long-sleeve tee underneath, and one child in a simple patterned short hem dress.
04. consider the weather
We all know Florida weather can be very unpredictable, but most of the time it can be rather hot. The heat and humidity during "Fall" photo sessions definitely doesn't always match the vibe you may be trying to achieve for photos. The best choice is to layer outfits, and be prepared for a backup in case weather is unruly. Long sleeves & jeans are also a big no-no for summer sessions. The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable during your session.
05. things to avoid
Certain outfit choices can greatly distract from an otherwise beautiful photograph. Bright and bold colors can be harsh to the eye, it is best to stick with neutral, natural tones. These colors can also distract from the main focus of your photos which should be you and your family! Another key thing to avoid is shirts with busy graphics, logos, or writing (unless for a themed session). One final tip is if you or someone in the photo session wears transitional glasses, it is best to refrain from wearing them unless absolutely necessary. These glasses darken in the sunlight and can hide the eyes of the wearer which doesn't look great in photos.
06. how will this look on your wall?
When planning your photo session always take into consideration the aesthetic of your home and what kind of photograph would complement your home's style, especially if you are planning on displaying your images. If you have rustic, farmhouse decor in your home bright, modern beach photographs may not look well framed. The same thing goes if your home is more sleek and modern, rustic family photos in the woods, may not look best. Plan your outfits and choose your location according to what makes the most sense for your family!
