What to Wear to Your Photo Shoot: 10 tips for everyone to shop by
I often get asked about wardrobe selection and plan to write several blog posts discussing this issue, but lets start with the basics that you can apply to wardrobe selection no matter what your age or your session is for.
Avoid logos and words. Whatever you do, don’t be a walking advertisement for your favorite company. Words are distracting, be it a logo or phrase, and they always take attention away from your face, which is exactly what we don’t want to happen. I know cutesy phrases are tempting for kids, because they are just that, cute, but they simply don’t photograph well. When a person moves, the shirt folds up, and you can’t read it anyway. You’re also limited to angles that photograph well because you can only see the full phrase front on. If you don’t want your photographer to spend more time tugging at your shirt to make it legible than photographing you, just pass on clothing with words.
Avoid activewear and play clothes…unless you’re taking part in a fitness shoot. Athletic shorts, baggy t-shirts, tight leggings, or children’s “play clothes” are something that just doesn’t photograph well and is a little too casual and unpolished for photos. I have a lot of little boys that come in and I am told hate pants, specifically jeans, so parents dress them in sweats or athletic shorts….I beg you to bribe your child or find another alternative. For these little boys, try shopping Zara that offers some trendier pant versions with the comfort of a sweat pant, but stylish accents and design elements. Sneakers are also not the best to complete a look because they are bulky and make feet look big, and typically have color accents that don’t match outfits. I honestly would rather see you go barefoot than show up with sneakers that don’t match your outfit.
Fit your style to the session location. Sure, sometimes total opposites work….like wearing a suit in a grungy alleyway, but for the most part, you want your style to match location. You wouldn’t wear a ball gown to a farm, or a sweater to the beach. If you like a more trendy, city scene…dress up a bit and hit the town. If you prefer to go for more of a natural environment, pick a no fuss maxi dress and head for a field and more of a boho vibe.
Let the season guide your color selections and style. Summer pairs nicely with brighter colors, while the fall works best with darker colors, earth, and jewel tones. Look at nature and let it help guide you with color palette selection- these naturally occurring tonal combinations are a great place to look for inspiration! Also, I see a lot of seniors who schedule a summer session but want wardrobe variety and bring sweaters to wear….not only are you going to get sweaty and look uncomfortable, it doesn’t look natural to have lush green grass and a multi-layered look going on.
Proper fit is key. Baggy clothing does not hide your “flaws” and overly tight clothing doesn’t make you look skinnier. Ladies specifically, choose styles that don’t add bulk and naturally taper at your waist to give more of an hourglass appearance. Trendy items I suggest avoiding are: dolman sleeves, scarves, peasant tops, crop tops, long cardigans, boyfriend style jeans, and overly tight pants that may add a “roll” where you really don’t actually have one. Make sure your kid’s clothes are their size, not bought too big because they will fit in it longer. Pay specific attention to pant length, not too long or too short, and sleeves that fall off the shoulders. Babies under one, I specifically suggest avoiding shirts with collars - the little ones just don’t quite have a neck yet and they always stick up and cover their face.
Pick accessories or materials that add texture and interest. A plain cardigan will photograph more flat than a cable knit sweater, and a single layer tee will have less depth than a tee paired with leather jacket….add depth with material choices or layers for a more polished, eye appealing look. Great layering pieces outside of basic clothing include hats, gloves, suspenders, belts, shoes, and jewelry.
Go for practical. If you aren’t sure you love it when you put in on, you should probably not wear it. I can tell you from many years of experience, you aren’t going to like it any better in your photos than when you tried it on. If you only look good from one angle, or the strap falls down continually, or shirt rides up in the back, or you constantly are tugging at it, don’t wear it. If your kid hates what you pick for them or acts uncomfortable, it will end up being a long photoshoot for all involved. I have a lot of parents who put bows on heads or shoes on little one’s feet even though they know they are going to continually rip it off or cry. Save yourself the frustration and inevitable tears by foregoing those items. Don’t make it more difficult on yourself, or for your photographer to get the perfect shot by setting them up for failure just because of clothing choice.
If you’re completely stuck, look for inspiration online. I love getting on Pinterest, specifically for color palette ideas. Don’t get caught up in wanting an exact replica of a look you find, but take bits and pieces from what you love and put them together for your own unique look. Look up “earthtone color palette”, “engagement photo wardrobe ideas”, “trendy mens clothing”, “cityscape engagement session” etc. It is a great starting point when you’re stuck!
When in doubt, dress up. Having your portraits taken is a special occasion. Don’t make the mistake of going too casual. You want your outfits to represent who you are, but also look put together and purposeful.
Shop at the same store. If you have a hard time putting pieces together that look cohesive, shop at one store. Designers typically design each season with the same color palette and style across the board, and many stores set up pieces that go together beside each other. so that even the non fashionistas can mix and match pieces that go together. This can be especially helpful with family photos and creating a cohesive look for everyone when you shop for everyone at one store.