What Should I Wear?

General Tips

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Most important tip. Be yourself!! Dress your best in your own style. (If this is a Maternity Session, we provide the outfits.)

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Coordinate, but don't match! Go for a similar color palette and mix up solids and prints, etc. I would suggest choosing three main colors to work with.  This will give you more flexibility when it comes to dressing the entire family, but doesn’t become too matchy either. Consider hues that complement each other for a more cohesive look. Also consider outfits with muted colors and soft tones. A good portrait will   withstand the test of time. This is one of the reasons your outfits should have a cohesive appearance.

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It all starts with Mom! I suggest you start with your outfit first. Once this is done, you can style the rest of the family.  I like to suggest flowy dresses and skirts. Pay close attention to texture, the fine details, and fabric quality. Clothing that drapes and flows with the wind is always flattering and offer beautiful movement in your photos. Remember: Texture, movement, and quality.

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Maxi dresses are flattering on every body type. 

 

If a dress doesn’t feel like you, or isn’t the vision you are going for, that’s ok! Skinny jeans to the rescue! Pair them with cute heels or wedges to make your legs appear longer. If you don’t feel comfortable with the tighter look, I recommend a fit called “skinny boot cut.” (You can find them at American Eagle, Gap, etc.). 

 

Know your body type and what styles will flatter your figure.

Don’t dress in a way that is out of character for you, but look polished. Be mindful of the small details, such as your manicure, hair,  and moisturized skin. 

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Stay away from graphic Tees, distracting patterns, logos, and primary colors. Shirts that are bright neon orange or yellow will reflect back the color onto the faces of the people wearing them. Graphics tend to really take away from the quality of the portrait as a whole, as well as the personal style of the photographer. I strongly recommend taking this into consideration when thinking about your family’s wardrobe. However, do not be afraid to tastefully mix prints and textures. 

 

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Make sure the clothing you choose fits the kids, keeping in mind that baggy or too tight is not ideal. Dress your kiddos in clothes that fit perfectly, not with room to grow. An outfit that fits properly will look much better than something that is too big. Go a size smaller in jackets, cardigans or blazers.

 

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Like clean or painted fingernails, shoes and accessories are important details not to overlook in preparing for your session. A great outfit with old, stained shoes won't look as great. Be sure that the shoes match clothing and accessories such as necklaces and headbands. These items serve to add a pop of color and style to your images.

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For maternity sessions only: Are you nursing?

You want to be sure to wear something that you can easily nurse in if you want nursing to be a part of the session outside of in-between feedings for a newborn.  Several clothing stores offer gorgeous nursing-friendly dresses and tops that will allow you to easily breastfeed while looking beautiful.

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Accessorize

Consider getting headbands or cute bows for the little girls and cute hats for boys, Attention to jewelry and shoes also goes a long way. OshKosh is highly recommended for accessories. Using accessories helps add character to the photos, making them more personal and stylized to your taste.  Accessories can also be used to tie outfits together between subjects.

 

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Dad's Outfit

Choose a comfortable neutral outfit for dad that coordinates with the rest of the family.  Consider a muted color button down paired with either pattern free shorts or pants. 

 

 

Layers

When putting together an outfit, layers are what make the outfit look polished and complete!  Add a vest, jacket, cardigan, bowtie, hat, scarf, suspenders for boys, belts, jewelry, etc.  This also gives better composition. Hats, glasses, vests, bow ties, cardigans, tights or leggings under a skirt for girls. I recommend making the outer layer (blazer, cardigan, jacket) fit snugly.

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Avoid waiting until the last available moment to put the right outfits together. Identifying the best outfits in advance helps to avoid the stress and pressure that comes with having to rush.