What should we wear to the session? Wear what makes you feel rad. Wear what makes you feel cool. Sexy. Fun. Please just don’t come to your family session with everyone in khaki pants and white shirts… You will be hastily rerouted to the Sears Portrait Studio. =0
Since you are coming to me for a photo session, it’s probably because you’re not looking for mottled canvas backgrounds and cliché poses. You want to look vibrant, fun, energetic and REAL. Bring the AWESOME to your session by bringing clothes you love to live in.
With ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS we’re looking to tell a bit more of a story… Bring a series of outfits that let’s us start out casual, move to dressed up a bit (like for Easter brunch at your parents) and then dressed to kill with your night-out-on-the-town look. You can enhance each of these looks by modifying your hair, changing jewelry, transitioning your make-up from daytime to nighttime, etc.
For my SENIOR SESSIONS we want to show all the sides that make you unique and capture where you are in your life journey at the time of your portraits. Bring your jersey, your school uniform, your favorite jeans, tops and even the items that enhance and accessorize your life like iPods, journals, sunglasses, skateboards and more. Like an ENGAGEMENT SESSION, we too are looking to tell a story and it’s great to start off casual, move to something a little more formal and then finish with your best look for important occasions.
In addition to the general ideas mentioned above, here are some guidelines:
Wear similar tones of clothing
Think in black and white tones; if everyone wears dark blue and one person wears white, the eye will be drawn to the person wearing white. If there’s a reason that one person should stand out, then do it. If not, change your color selections. Denim in any color for pants and jackets works well. It’s classic, it’s informal and it comes in lots of great colors. Best of all, it never goes out of style. Groom your hands and nails; they usually end up in some pictures.
Avoid patterns, logos, branding, and busy designs
Stripes, plaids, checks and busy patterns like paisley all tend to be distracting.
Avoid anything shiny or reflective
Avoid large, shiny objects like belt buckles, bold jewelry and reflective watches, but please bring an assortment of necklaces, bracelets, scarves, etc. as they provide a finished polish. Unless your watch has a story, it’s best to take it off during your portrait session. In fact, it’s best to take it off well before you arrive so the marks on your wrist have a chance to fade. Classic, elegant jewelry like pearls always looks appropriate.
Beware the color red
It steals attention from the face! If you want to stand out on purpose, wear red. If you choose red for everybody, it’s best if the reds match…
Portrait Tips for Women
- Wear long or 3/4 length sleeves
- Choose v-necks, square-necks and turtlenecks
- Avoid cowlnecks and other floppy necklines
- Avoid buttondowns and crewnecks unless you have a long neck
- Classic jewelry like pearls always make a great choice
- Blouses with collars that open and lie flat over a jacket look great
- Layers look great. A single-breasted jacket over a tight fitting square-neck top looks fabu
- Fitted tops always look better than loose fitting clothing
- No matter what you choose, make sure you can cross your arms comfortably without the shoulders riding up
Portrait Tips for Men
- The more formal the portrait, the darker your colors should be. You can get away with light colors for an informal portrait or location shots in the summer or someplace like the beach
- Turtlenecks look great, especially under jackets
- Don’t wear a jacket that is much lighter than what you’re wearing underneath it.
- Crewneck sweaters or layers work great on guys.
Portrait Tips for Children
- Dress kids in similar tones. Even though kids may be attached to princess dresses and superhero t-shirts, let them wear them to the session – Just not during it!
- Kids can get away with brighter colors and patterns, but avoid logos and branding
