THE FAMILY SESSION
STYLE GUIDE SESSION STYLE GUIDE
j a m i e l e m a i re p h o t o g r a p h y
FA S H I O N I S A B O U T D R E S S I N G AC C O R D I N G TO W H AT ’ S FA S H I O N A B L E . S T Y L E I S M O R E A B O U T B E I N G YO U R S E L F. O S C A R D E L A R E N TA
STYLE GUIDE One of the most common questions I get asked during the p l a n n i n g s t a ge s w i t h my c l i e n t s i s “ W h a t s h o u l d we we a r ? � Advice on what to wear on your photo shoot has changed over the years. No longer are white shirts and jeans, or ever yone wear the same color (gasp!) on trend. I am more than happy to discuss your clothing choices, help you narrow down your d e c i s i o n , o r g i ve yo u a d i r e c t i o n t o fo c u s o n w h e n i t c o m e s t o h o w t o s t y l e y o u o r y o u r f a m i l y.
coordinate N o w t h i s d o e s N O T m e a n e v e r y o n e h a s t o 10 0 % m a t c h w i t h k h a k i p a n t s o r e v e r y o n e w e a r a b l u e s h i r t ! Yo u w a n t t o complement each other’s outfits by choosing colors that work w e l l t o g e t h e r. I f i n d t h a t i f e v e r y o n e i s w e a r i n g t h e s a m e clothing, people will all tend to blend in together and there wo n ’ t b e t o o m u ch p o p a n d l i fe t o t h e i m a ge s . C o o r d i n a t e V S . Matching…. let’s not get cheesy!
The easiest way to plan your families outfits, is to start with a n e u t r a l c o l o r p a l e t t e a n d t h e n p i c k o n e o r t w o c o l o r s t h a t “ p o p”, s u c h a s m u s t a rd y e l l o w, o r a n g e , o r b r i g h t b l u e . A c c e s s o r i e s s u c h a s h a t s , s h o e s , s c a r v e s , b o w s , o r e v e n f u n s o c k s a re a g re a t w a y t o a d d in that pop of color to your palette.
T H E J OY O F D R ES S I N G I S A N A RT. JOHN GALLIANO
One of my favorite color palettes is muted neutrals. These tones look good on everyone and work in any type of location.
where to shop F O R T H E FA M I L Y H & M – I l ove w h e n yo u c a n s h o p a t o n e s t o r e fo r m o m , d a d , boys and girls. It helps simplify the ‘what to wear’ process. O n c e yo u f i n d a n o u t f i t yo u l ove , i t i s e a s y t o f i n d o u t f i t s fo r the rest of the family in the same color scheme. No r d s t r o m s – A n o t h e r p e rfe c t p l a c e fo r o n e s t o p s h o p p i n g ! No r d s t r o m s ( o r No r d s t r o m s r a ck ) a l s o o f fe r fa s h i o n fo r m o m s , dads, boys and girls.
FOR MOM Anthropology – if unique and eclectic is your style, A n t h r o p o l o g y i s a c a n ’ t m i s s ! Yo u c a n f i n d
the nearest
Anthropology in Beachwood, Ohio. R evolve – Talk about gorgeous dresses! Revolve is a little more o n t h e p r i c ey s i d e , b u t yo u m i g h t j u s t f i n d t h e p e rfe c t d r e s s o n sale! A l t e r ’ d St a t e – O n e o f my p e rs o n a l favo r i t e s t o r e s t o s h o p ! T h e i r B o h e m i a n ch i c s t y l e i s p e rfe c t fo r yo u r c a r e f r e e s u m m e r session at the beach. F r e e P e o p l e - Yo u c a n n e v e r g o w r o n g w i t h a p i e c e f r o m F r e e Pe o p l e . T h ey a r e a l ways o n t r e n d , a n d t h ey m a ke s o m e o f t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l d r e s s e s t h a t p h o t o g r a p h b e a u t i f u l l y. FOR THE LITTLE ONES Pe r s n i cke t y – Pe rs n i cke t y s p e c i a l i z e s i n c l o t h i n g fo r ch i l d r e n . If your style is bold and vibrant, you will love their clothing. They use bold patterns and striking color combinations to c r e a t e u n i qu e a n d m e m o r a b l e o u t f i t s fo r yo u r l i t t l e o n e s . Chasing Firef lies -also specializes in children’s clothing from eve r y d ay we a rs t o fo r m a l h o l i d ay o u t f i t s .
Revolve
Free People
Anthropologie
D re s s e s a n d s k i r t s l o o k m o s t s t u n n i n g b e c a u s e t h e y re a l l y f l a t t e r e v e r y fe m a l e b o d y, e s p e c i a l l y o n c a m e r a . I re c o m m e n d a v o i d i n g p a n t s a n d s h o r t s fo r y o u r s e s s i o n , a n d s a y i n g y e s t o a d re s s o r two instead. Lo n g , f u l l - l e n g t h , f l o w y d re s s e s a n d s k i r t s l o o k a m a z i n g o n camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. W h e n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e l e n g t h o f y o u r d re s s e s o r s k i r t s , i t ’ s a l s o a g o o d i d e a t o f a c t o r i n w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e re w i l l b e l i t t l e o n e s i n y o u r p h o t o s . I f y o u h a v e s m a l l e r c h i l d re n , w e ’ l l l i ke l y h a v e y o u s i t t i n g , c ro u c h i n g , o r e v e n l a y i n g d o w n t o i n t e r a c t u p - c l o s e w i t h t h e m . S h o r t e r d re s s e s p h o t o g r a p h b e a u t i f u l l y, b u t i f y o u h a v e l i t t l e o n e s i n y o u r p h o t o s . a f l o o r- l e n g t h d re s s o r s k i r t w i l l m a ke m o v i n g a ro u n d w i t h y o u r k i d s m u c h e a s i e r, a n d l o o k p e r fe c t o n camera too.
accessories T h i n k o u t s i d e t h e b o x . . . s c a r v e s , h a t s , f l o w e r s i n t h e h a i r, j e w e l r y, s w e a t e r s , v e s t s , e t c . A l l o f t h e s e t h i n g s c a n t a k e a b a s i c o u t f i t , a n d m a k e i t m o r e i n t e r e s t i n g . H o w e v e r, d o n ’ t let the accessories overwhelm the subject or the photos. T h ey a r e t h e r e t o “ e n h a n c e ” t h e o u t f i t , n o t b e t h e m a i n fo c u s . If you’re unsure if you should add accessories, bring them along in a bag with you, and we can make the decision together at your session.
I believe that especially with sweet newborn babies and toddlers, they don’t need much i n t h e w a y o f “ a c c e s s o r i e s ”. B u t a sweet headband or cute little hat can add a pleasing visual e l e m e n t a n d s o m e p e r s o n a l i t y. I want the viewer to be drawn to the s u b j e c t ’ s f a c e a n d e x p re s s i o n , n o t their clothing or accessories.
colors & patterns C o l o rs a r e eve r y w h e r e a r o u n d u s a n d b r i n g t h i n g s t o l i fe … w hy n o t b r i n g yo u r i m a ge s t o l i fe a s we l l ! A ga i n , b e s u r e t h e colors you choose coordinate with each other and you don’t just end up looking like one big rainbow family! When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won’t distract attention away f r o m t h e m a i n s u b j e c t / s . U s e p a t t e r n s s p a r i n g ly … . i f o n e p e rs o n i s we a r i n g a p r i n t , t r y t o avo i d p u t t i n g s o m e o n e e l s e i n a c o m p e t i n g p a t t e r n . T y p i c a l l y, I s u g g e s t t o o n l y p u t o n e f a m i l y m e m b e r i n a p a t t e r, t w o a t t h e v e r y m o s t . W h e n t h i n k i n g a b o u t t e x t u r e , ch o o s e d i f fe r e n t o n e s t h a t w i l l g i ve p h o t o s s o m e i n t e r e s t s u c h a s l a c e , c o r d u r o y, d e n i m , e t c . Av o i d l a r g e l o g o ’ s , e m b l e m s a n d g r a p h i c s l i ke “ GA P ” a n d “ O l d Nav y ” b e c a u s e a ga i n , t h e s e w i l l t y p i c a l ly d i s t r a c t a t t e n t i o n away f r o m t h e s u b j e c t . We wa n t yo u r fa c e s a n d e m o t i o n t o s h ow, n o t p r o m o t e t h e c l o t h i n g c o mp a ny yo u p u r ch a s e d f r o m !
FAS H I O N I S N OT N EC ES SA R I LY A B O U T L A B E L S . I T ’ S N OT A B O U T B RA N D S . I T ’ S A B O U T S O M E T H I N G E L S E T H AT C O M ES F R O M W I T H I N YO U. RA L P H L AU R E N
color palettes C o l o rs a r e eve r y w h e r e a r o u n d u s a n d b r i n g t h i n g s t o l i fe … w hy n o t b r i n g yo u r i m a ge s t o l i fe a s we l l ! A ga i n , b e s u r e t h e colors you choose coordinate with each other and you don’t just end up looking like one big rainbow family! When picking patterns, choose smaller ones that won’t distract attention away f r o m t h e m a i n s u b j e c t / s . U s e p a t t e r n s s p a r i n g ly … . i f o n e p e rs o n i s we a r i n g a p r i n t , t r y t o avo i d p u t t i n g s o m e o n e e l s e i n a c o m p e t i n g p a t t e r n . T y p i c a l l y, I s u g g e s t t o o n l y p u t o n e f a m i l y m e m b e r i n a p a t t e r, t w o a t t h e v e r y m o s t . W h e n t h i n k i n g a b o u t t e x t u r e , ch o o s e d i f fe r e n t o n e s t h a t w i l l g i ve p h o t o s s o m e i n t e r e s t s u c h a s l a c e , c o r d u r o y, d e n i m , e t c . Av o i d l a r g e l o g o ’ s , e m b l e m s a n d g r a p h i c s l i ke “ GA P ” a n d “ O l d Nav y ” b e c a u s e a ga i n , t h e s e w i l l t y p i c a l ly d i s t r a c t a t t e n t i o n away f r o m t h e s u b j e c t . We wa n t yo u r fa c e s a n d e m o t i o n t o s h ow, n o t p r o m o t e t h e c l o t h i n g c o mp a ny yo u p u r ch a s e d f r o m !
choose timeless pieces Fo r s o m e fa s h i o n i s t a ’ s , t h i s m ay b e a d i f f i c u l t c o n c e p t , however you are going to want these images to stand the test o f t i m e . P i c k o u t f i t s t h a t a r e n ’ t c o n s i d e r e d t o o t r e n d y, b u t w i l l b e a b l e t o b e e n j oye d a n d d i s p l aye d fo r m a ny ye a rs t o c o m e . One example of something that is timeless is a neutral color p a l l e t e ( t h i n k o rga n i c t o n e s ! ) . W h e n i n d o u b t g o fo r a c l a s s i c look and style that still allows you to incorporate your own flair into the outfit with fun accessories. S t i l l b e YO U, n eve r fo rge t t h a t !
let your personalities SHINE Pe r h a p s t h e m o s t i mp o r t a n t “ r u l e ” i n my b o o k . T h e p u r p o s e of these photos is to hopefully capture each individual as t h e y t r u l y a r e , t o c a p t u r e t h e f a m i l y, t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s , a n d people in the photos just as THEY are. Forcing children to we a r o u t f i t s t h a t a r e u n c o m fo r t a b l e a n d u n fa m i l i a r t o t h e m m ay c a u s e s o m e a n x i e t y a n d s t r e s s t o t h e m w h i ch i n t u r n w i l l inhibit really capturing their personalities during the session. S a m e g o e s fo r a d u l t s . We a r c l o t h i n g t h a t YO U fe e l g o o d i n a n d t h e p i c t u r e s w i l l e l i m i n a t e t h o s e fe e l i n g s . I f yo u r ch i l d we a rs a pair of rain boots everywhere he goes, it makes the most sense t o h ave h i m we a r t h e m fo r p i c t u r e s a s we l l - we ’ l l j u s t p l a n t h e s e s s i o n fo r a r a i ny d ay a n d b r i n g a l o n g s o m e f u n u m b r e l l a s = ) . R e m e m b e r, y o u w a n t t o c a p t u r e e v e r y o n e a s t h e y a r e N O W !
dress for the season and location Obviously you want your images to make sense. One typically wouldn’t be wearing jeans, boots, and a jacket to the beach in t h e S u m m e r s o w hy wo u l d yo u fo r p i c t u r e s ? D r e s s t h e p a r t a n d be aware of your location. For example, if you are shooting at the beach, ladies wear a pretty dress and sandals, put dad in a short sleeve shirt and shorts or pants, put your little girl i n a s w e e t S p r i n g o r S u m m e r d r e s s , e t c . Yo u w i l l w a n t t o m a k e sure that everyone is on the same page and coordinates in both colors AND styles. For beach sessions we’ll all kick off our s h o e s s i n c e we ’ l l e n d u p s p l a s h i n g i n t h e wave s a t s o m e p o i n t ! S o m e l o c a t i o n s a r e b e s t s u i t e d fo r f l a t s o r we d ge s , a n d t h i s is something we will discuss as part of styling your session. If you want to rock those fancy stilettos, let’s pick a location that’s suitable, but if we’ve decided on Big Sur
- put on those
s a n d a l s o r b o o t s ! We d o n ’ t wa n t a nyo n e b r e a k i n g a n a n k l e !
wear layers O n e o f my favo r i t e “ t i p s � fo r c l o t h i n g ch o i c e s ! I n t h e S u m m e r m o n t h s , t h i s m ay b e m o r e d i f f i c u l t t o p u l l o f f b u t d u r i n g a l l o f t h e o t h e r s e a s o n s , d e f i n i t e ly l aye r yo u r o u t f i t s . No t o n ly w i l l it provide more visual interest in each photo but it will also allow a lot more variety in your shots and poses. If you want to add a little more variety to your images within the same session, throw on a little sweater or jacket and a hat and you h ave e n t i r e ly d i f fe r e n t l o o k .
think bigger picture (literally) I a l w a y s e n c o u r a g e c l i e n t s t o t h i n k a b o u t t h e i r h o m e , d e c o r, colors, and style of their homes. Chances are, at some point af ter your session, you will be ordering prints or digital files. W hy n o t ke e p yo u r d e c o r i n m i n d a n d e n s u r e t h a t i t a l l b l e n d s i n t o yo u r h o m e . T h i s w i l l e n s u r e t h a t a ny l a rge p o r t r a i t s w i l l c o o r d i n a t e b e a u t i f u l l y.
one final note I know that all of this is a lot to think about. I created this guide to help make your family session experience something yo u ’ l l l o o k b a ck fo n d ly o n fo r ye a rs a n d ye a rs t o c o m e . At t h e e n d o f t h e d ay t h o u g h , t h e l o c a t i o n yo u ch o o s e a n d t h e o u t f i t s you select won’t matter nearly as much as the memories you m a k e t o g e t h e r . Yo u r f u t u r e m e m o r i e s a r e t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o m e , a n d I wa n t yo u r s e s s i o n t o b e a t i m e fo r yo u t o j u s t b e y o u r s e l v e s a n d e n j o y i t ! H a v e f u n t o g e t h e r. L a u g h a l o t . And I’ll take care of the rest!
