WHAT TO WEAR for eye-catching portraits and other things to think about as you prep for your session When styling a session, I like to start out by selecting a color palette and then we go from there. You can do this with a neutral and two-three colors for “pop” or you can go with a palette based on a color family- cool colors (greens, blues and purples), warm colors (reds, oranges and golden yellows), neutrals, jewel tones (amethyst, emerald, magenta, indigo…), fall colors (orange, denim, brown and cream) or colors that are currently on-trend (goldenrod yellow, navy and white, for example). If you’re really drawn to the traditional khaki and white or black and white that was once the go-to for portraits, try a freshened-up version with a palette of black & white with a punch of color (maybe red, turquoise, Kelly green or yellow)…or perhaps a palette of timeless neutralscream, taupe, white and denim. Or maybe something that really accents the colors featured in your home- turquoise, grey, yellow and white are current popular home décor colors, for example. They are all great choices- it’s a matter of personal preference- what do you feel best in? What suits your taste and personalities best? What will look best when displayed on the wall in your home? I’ll often start with Mom if she has an outfit she really loves & feels great in and then we can base the color palette off the colors in her outfit and then pull together clothing for everyone else for a cohesive look for the whole group. A great way to work in pops of color from your palette is with accessories such as hats, shoes, bowties, belts, scarves, jewelry, hair accessories/bows or even fun socks! You can mix and match patterns if they are from that color palette previously selected… for instance, if little sister’s patterned dress has tones of mint, peach and gray, maybe mom wears a mint dress and a gray or peach cardigan and little brother is in jeans with an mint pair of Converse and a gray button-up and Dad is in gray jeans with a white shirt. Everyone doesn’t have to represent every color of the palette.
Another note on Accessories add color, visual interest and some personality Accessorize … and think outside the box. Scarves, hats, flowers in the hair for girls, jewelry, sweaters, vests, jackets, etc. – all these things can take a ho-hum image and make it feel “complete.” Don’t let the accessories overwhelm the subject or the photos though. Feel free to bring a bag of goodies that we can pull from if we want or need them- I always say it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it so feel free to bring it all!
I believe that especially with sweet newborn babies and toddlers, they don’t need much in the way of “accessories” … but a sweet headband or cute little hat can add a nice visual element and some personality. I do want the viewer to notice my subject and their sweet face first … the accessories and clothing should complement them – but not be center stage. Show off their unique personality with accessories that suit their personal style! Most importantly, make sure everyone is comfortable! If someone is tugging, pulling or scratching and itching, they won’t look very happy in the photos.
There are a few bonuses to using accessories well (as well as giving your look depth with layers). One is that changing them up a bit throughout the session can give you multiple looks without having to do many wardrobe changes (example adding a jacket). They can also be something that the subjects can interact with … a sassy little tip of the hat, holding the ends of a scarf while running and letting it billow behind you, grabbing the lapels of a husbands jacket while pulling him close for a kiss … all these little gestures and ways to interact (and become more comfortable in front of the camera) can be made possible with some simple styling choices.
Kids love to play dress up … girls are often seen in mommy’s pearls, scarves or other fun “dress up” items and that’s cute to capture…and of course boys love being like Dad in a tie or hat. Bring a bag of favorite items, they don’t have to wear it in every photo but if this is part of their age and stage right now, let’s capture it in a couple of photos in your session because soon they’ll grow on to another age and stage!
Layers and Texture add detail and depth Layers and textures create visual interest in photos. I absolutely love using multiple textures and layers, especially important when working with a color palette a bit on the neutral or softer side. When I say “textures” what I mean is different clothing materials, fabrics and accents – tweed, crochet and embroidery details, lace, hand knit items, , ribbons, ruffles, etc. Dressing with different layers of clothing and accessories can add dimension to the overall look of the image. These details and added depth are especially important in black and white images. And it can be done beautifully with colorful brights or just pops of color here and there as well … follow your own vision and style and stay true to you, don’t try to hard but don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. An example of an outfit with LOTS of textured layers would be a ruffled skirt with a cashmere sweater, cable knit tights, with distressed leather boots and a denim jacket. It can be overdone if there isn’t a common element (such as color palette) to pull it all together and we can always “peel away layers” for varied looks (ex.- take off the jacket and tights or change up the boots to different shoes for a different look). Layers give you options.
Patterns are great in moderation Patterns can add visual interest as well as a good dose of personality. Just make sure that the patterns are complementary (for instance, a navy and white polka dot tie on a little boy next to his sisters navy and hot pink striped dress can look very complementary but 5 different variations on plaid may be a bit much). Very thin stripes or pinstripes end up looking very distorted and dizzying in a photograph so it’s best to stay away from those and go for thicker stripes if you’re going to do them. Fun prints, plaid or madras, florals, polka dots, chevron and other fun patterns are great and add visual interest to an image. There’s nothing wrong with solids either. And a mix of solids and patterns is ideal. If you’re more traditional or you are drawn to more ethereal clothing and décor, you may lean towards subdued patterns or all solid colors and those are certainly always beautiful and timeless.
Think about your Location and make sure your wardrobe complements the surroundings For example, at a location in a field with a rustic barn in the background would be perfect for a little girl dressed in a simple, vintage style dress with Hunter wellies, pig tails and carrying a little vintage tin pail full of wildflowers … that same little girl might look out of place in an urban setting with a graffiti wall in the background. Also, consider how well the colors and patterns in the wardrobes will stand out against the backdrops of your location … a field of bluebonnets might not be complemented by an outfit with a floral pattern or the same blues and greens in it, but would look beautiful with a solid coral colored dress to pop off of the colors of the flowers and grass. That being said, it can be very cool to have juxtaposition between your surroundings and the subject’s wardrobe- in certain circumstances. For example, I love putting a lovely senior high school girl in a beautiful dress with pretty hair and makeup in a rustic hay barn or in front of an edgy rusted metal train car. I will guide you through what will work and what won’t and will suggest locations to determine the perfect spot for our shoot.
Movement clothing that flows and moves When shooting in wide-open locations (and if it involves kiddos) I love to have some movement and flow in their clothing and accessories. Little ones are fond of jumping, dancing, and being, well… kids! Something as simple as a super hero cape can be fun for the boys as they run through a field or a fun flouncy skirt as a little princess twirls and spins. Kids are naturally on the move- dancing, twirling, jumping and playing- and having clothing that is not only comfortable for them to be themselves in, but that also accentuates all that movement is wonderful in photos.
On Your Feet don’t forget the details! Shoes matter. The choice of shoes can make or break an outfit. Slipping on a cute boots or some colorful ballet flats can tie everything together and complete the feel of your look. Don’t forget some fun socks to add another splash of color or personality if your overall look and vibe of the session is fun and bright. A good, clean traditional pair of shoes is great toothey don’t have to be bold or colorful. But they should be comfortable- nobody likes blisters!
To summarize on Wardrobe, Coordinate Colors and Looks, letting everyone have their own spin on the color palette (and every person does not have to have every color used in the color palette you choose).
For example- let’s say I select Jewel Tones as our wardrobe “theme”. So I may wear a magenta dress with a brown leather belt and an emerald green statement necklace. My husband wears a sapphire blue button up shirt, jeans and brown Frye boots. My oldest son wears a brown, blue & white plaid shirt and a sapphire blue striped tie with brown corduroys. The baby wears an emerald green cable knit sweater with a white collared shirt underneath and cute little baby jeans and a blue belt with a pair of brown Chukkas. Can you picture it? Another example- let’s say Sara Jane picks Navy and Cream for her family’s fall shoot. It really doesn’t matter what patterns or fabrics they select for each family member as long as they have navy and/or cream within the outfits. Sara wears a cream colored sweater dress with a navy scarf, tall brown boots and hot pink bangle bracelets. Hubby John wears khakis and a blue corduroy button up with brown patches on the elbows. Baby Girl Emma wears a cute hot pink sweater with navy and cream paisleys, navy tights and a little denim skirt. Big Brother Jake wears a cream and navy striped rugby polo with brown corduroys. Making sense?
a few things to avoid these are suggestions not rules • Avoid anything with logos, graphics, characters, labels, etc. These tend to take the “finished” look of a professional portrait down a few notches and can be distracting (who wants people to first notice the Nike or Gap logo before the adorable little kid’s smile?) And trendy brands can often date a photo. I’m having flashbacks to me wearing Esprit tee-shirts with my Guess jeans back in grade school, right along side my little brother in his Gotcha shirt (and if you’re sitting there wondering what I’m talking about, you must not be an 80′s child!) Note: There are a few instances where a more stylized graphic on a shirt can look good if it fits the vibe of a photo, for instance, in my son’s birthday session we did a total rock theme to go along with his Rock Star party … he wore a Beatles tee with his jeans and Vans and baby brother rocked a Ramones onesie, jeans and some cute baby Converse. • If anyone is needing a trip to the salon, for guys be sure to get hair cut a week or so before so it can grow out just enough to look natural but still clean-cut.
• While trying to stay current and fashionable, do avoid obvious trends that will be dated soon. You can absolutely do fashion forward while still remaining timeless. There are certain trends that are crazy awesome (right now) but they are so specific that they will put a “time stamp” on your portraits if you’re not careful. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but something to be aware of and keep in mind. • Be sure to empty your pockets of things like wallets, keys and phones- these add bulk to your pockets and are not flattering in photos. And also be sure to remove fit bits, watches or jewelry that are not complementary to your session look or that you don’t want in the photos.
Props
enhance images and add personal meaning Think about subtle props that blend with the vibe of the session, but keep them simple and meaningful. A little pail full of wildflowers are a natural complement to a shoot for a little girl in a field but there may be some other great pieces we could add … a favorite baby doll or Dad’s vintage toy truck, an heirloom tea set … the absolute best type of prop is something that is meaningful to you (your vintage camera, a neat old suitcase you found at a flea market, your child’s favorite stuffed animal, a quilt made by grandma…) Don’t let the prop be an odd distraction – make sure it “makes sense” being in the photo and that it blends well with the whole vision we have in mind for the shoot. Like perhaps a pretty blanket and picnic basket for our session in the vineyard. Don’t worry, we’ll go over all of this and I’ll have plenty of suggestions and props to suggest and bring from my vast prop closet so you’re not “in charge” of this aspect. But think about it and let me know if there’s something special you’d like to incorporate.
A more styled session typically features props and creates a whimsical environment. They are helpful in getting children to loosen up, have fun and play make believe but they do need to planned in advance to find and procure the necessary props and items. If you’ve got something special in mind that leans more toward a styled shoot- I’m always up for a fanciful, creative styled session. And I’m always FULL of ideas and would love to make suggestions or collaborate. Let’s brainstorm and make some magic happen!
We’ve talked about families, but what about if it’s for one person- a Six Month or One Year milestone session, for example. Most people are multi dimensional and have several interests, moods, aspects of their personality, etc. It’s no different for little ones! So I suggest bringing several different outfits that are some of your favorites of theirs at this age. You can do a mix of casual and a little more “buttoned up” or dressy… or something timeless and something a little more hip. And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with a simple onesiedon’t stress- look in their closets and pick a few of your favorite things they already have or get a fresh selection of onesies. If you are wanting something unique or super adorbs, check out etsy.com There is no shortage of incredibly cute stuff available there! Kids, by nature, typically don’t LOVE changing clothes (only Beyonce is used to so many outfit changes in a day) so maybe bring 4-5 outfits and we’ll pick your 2 favorites, we’ll see how they do and then go from there …
Bring some of their favorite things that make them giggle or smile (you can dance Mr. Boopity Bopp on top of my head while they laugh for the camera). I do have a local artist who can make a custom chalkboard in any size and design, she’ll need some lead time so if you’d like to purchase a custom chalkboard to use for your session- let me know!
Some people love doing Smash Cakes for a One Year session and I love it too- I save it for the end of the shoot and I suggest bringing just a simple onesie for them to wear for that portion (and maybe a birthday hat/crown)… and bring plenty of wet wipes- you’ll probably head straight to the tub when you get home but we’ll get them clean enough for the car ride!
VERY important sidenote- please don’t stress about your kids being “overactive” at our session. I have kids- 2 very busy boys, in face- I get it! Their boundless energy is a blessing and something I want to bottle up and swap out for my Starbucks! Just know that one of my gifts is patience. And something you will quickly learn about me- I do not judge. This is a judgefree zone. I’m not analyzing your parent skills or grading your kiddos manners. I’ve seen it allmeltdowns, busy body cartwheel competitions to get the wiggles out, crying teething babies, snot bubbles, boys burping the alphabet, everything you can imagine. 2 boys, remember?
So please don’t stress or worry about being “perfect” or being judged or your kids being on their best behavior. For this brief hour we have together, just relax and have FUN (they will pick up on your energy and follow your lead). The kids can call me Princess BoogerBoo for all I care- I will probably make toot sounds with a whoopee cushion or ask you all to tickle one another at some point. If any of this offends you or makes you uncomfortable, by all means please let me know- I want you to be comfortable! But I want you to know that our time together will be low-key, low-pressure and just good, genuine, relaxed fun. I love and appreciate all aspects of childhood and family dynamics and I am here to cherish your family and the unique wonderfulness you are so just rest easy in that.
How will your images be displayed? think about where you’ll be using these images How will the images be displayed? Think about the primary reason you are doing the sessionwhat’s your overall goal with this session? What do you want to do with these images? Where do you want to display them? This helps me guide your choices for location, props, time of day and year to do your session and I shoot with all of that in mind. I shoot differently if I know you want an album full of details and little moments or if you want one big showstopper art piece over your mantle with a statement portrait of your family different uses need different styles, sizes and compositions and I customize your session and shoot with our end goal in mind. So think about where the images will be displayed- for a gallery canvas in your living room, think about coordinating with the colors and feel of your décor in that space. For the trio of canvases we created for a family of 3 sisters’ playroom, we dressed the girls in twirly, pink dresses and they ran dancing through the sand on the beach (yes, I offer beach sessions in the summer), which meshed perfectly in the girly room in their home that’s always filled with giggles and playtime and decorated in soft beautiful pinks and pastels. For a boy’s nursery decorated with bright bold primary colors we chose a playful hot air balloon themed shoot with big brightly colored balloons! It looks great in his room and is really cohesive with the design and décor of that space.
I encourage clients to select a wardrobe palette that complements their home’s style and colors so everything is cohesive when displayed. These images won’t just live on a USB in your kitchen drawer like our iphone pics, they are living, breathing, vibrant pieces of art of the people you treasure most in the world and they belong on your walls, bookshelves, mantles and bedside tables. Just like when selecting a piece of art from a gallery or a favorite store to display in your home, you would select a piece that has the colors, style and overall feel that matches the style of your home. The same goes for your portraits. Even the most amazing portrait in the world won’t feel “quite right” hung over your fireplace if it’s a jarring diversion from your family’s style and tastes and doesn’t really capture the essence of your family or if it doesn’t work with the space in which it’s featured. This is why working with a full-service boutique studio is such a bonus- I’ll look at your space, listen to your vision and your style preferences, make suggestions and learn more about what you want and need and then hold your hand and guide you through the process of selecting when, where and how to make your session happen, what to wear, how to display your favorite images and everything in between. No wondering what to do, no guessing games, no unnecessary stress… I’m here for you, let me be your guide.