What to
Wear
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Let’s get
ready
3 The Basics 8 Wardrobe by Body Type 14 What’s my Undertone? 21 Styling Tips 24 Define your style
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the basics
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What to Wear Start with solid colors and limit your palette to two or three colors. The goal of the clothing is to harmonize, to create a color theme, and to put the emphasis on your family’s faces. You may want to add a subtle splash of color with the children’s outfits. Bright – jewel toned colors or neutrals. Complimentary layers. Functional clothing: if you want to get the most out of your poses, you need to be able to sit, squat, stand etc comfortably in all your outfits. Dress for the season & location. Classic and thin chained jewelry paired with simple earrings. Dark clothing tends to slenderize. Longer sleeves also thin and flatter. Bare arms often compete with faces for attention. If one’s arms are not tone, consider long sleeves.
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What Not to Wear Winkled & dull clothes or neon colors. Busy patters: camo, plaid, etc. Short length skirts, dresses and/or shorts that expose too much when sitting, squatting or bending over. Wearing clothing meant for other seasons like wearing a spring dress in the fall. Trendy and chunky jewelry that can draw attention away from your face. The same outfit pieces over and over. For example: wearing three dresses/outfit style over the course of your shoot may not show enough variety. Cleavage-baring top & blouses. Clothing that exposes undergarments. Tight fitting clothing that can accentuate problem areas.
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Wardrobe by
Body type If you’re worried about what to wear to best accentuate your body’s shape, have no fear! Over the next few pages, we’ll help you make great selections depending on your body type.
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Rectangular Body Type
Traits: Your slender upper body tends to be the same width as your slender lower body. You may often consider yourself boxy.
Your wardrobe goal: Enhance your figure by creating curves with hemlines and colors.
Do’s and Don’ts Don’t be afraid to experiment with colors – if you want to accentuate your upper body, wear a brightly colored top with darker bottoms, and vice versa if you want to accentuate your lower half. Shapely tops like scoop neck, v-neck, sweetheart and halter necklines can create curves on your upper body. Refined patterns in classically bold colors help give depth and a richness to your frame. High-waisted belts will give you the illusion of a smaller waist which will add curves.
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Hour Glass Body Type
Traits: Your upper and lower body are similar in width while you have a small waist. You often refer to yourself as “curvy” with a small waistline.
Your wardrobe goal: To accentuate your curves without looking suggestive.
Do’s and Don’ts Wear fitted/tailored looks that aren’t too tight or attention drawing. Waistline belts can help accentuate your stomach and show off your figure. Skinny jeans and boot-cut jeans look best on you. Nude high heels can lengthen your legs. Try not to wear your skirts/dresses too short or low plunging tops as it can look suggestive.
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Pear Body Type
Traits: Your upper body (shoulders, chest and stomach) is more slender in comparison to your wider, lower body (hips, thighs and bottom.)
Your wardrobe goal: To balance out your lower body by creating optical illusions on your upper body with appropriate clothing.
Do’s and Don’ts Keep your tops lighter in color than your bottoms. It will bring attention to your thin, upper frame. Wear blazers and jackets that stop at the hip line. Brightly colored cardigans/tops will always draw attention away from your hips and up towards your face. Your pants should be boot or flare cut. Wear A-line skirts instead of pencil skirts. It will help balance out your hips.
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Wedge Body Type
Traits: Your upper body (shoulders, chest and stomach) measure wider than your smaller lower body.
Your wardrobe goal: Minimize your upper body and accentuate your lower body to create balance.
Do’s and Don’ts High-waisted bottoms are great for this look because they help bring attention to your shapely hips. Keep your neckline soft: go for cowl necks, deep v-necks or even scoop necks. Stay away from spaghetti straps as they can draw attention to a larger upper body. Do use a high-waisted belt to accentuate your waistline. Go for simple and darker toned tops, while experimenting with brightly colored or refined, printed bottoms. Wear wide-legged pants to balance out a wider upper body.
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Apple Bottom Body Type
Traits: Your middle body holds most of your weight (chest, upper arms, stomach, hips & bottom).
Your wardrobe goal: Lengthen your torso and create the illusion of a waistline.
Do’s and Don’ts Wear a great tummy shaper to minimize any bulge at the waist and an uplifting bra to create separation between your waistline and bra line. A darker toned, longer length cardigan can help elongate your torso and cut your middle horizontally in half. ¾ length sleeves are best for your tops to draw attention away from your upper arms. Heavier fabrics are best to help hide any trouble area. Any lycra or spandex in your clothing will mean that it may cling to your body. Bootcut bottoms will help lean out your body.
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What is my
Undertone? An undertone is the color from underneath the surface of your skin. It affects your overall hue. When selecting your wardrobe, always consider your undertone for best results. Turn your arms over: Cool undertone: purple or blue veins (you probably also burn in the sun) Warm undertone: green (you probably get a great summer tan)
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Cool Skin Tones Skin tone: blue, rosy and pink The colors that look best with your skin tones are considered sea shades (teals, blues & greens) as well as frostry shades (berries, blue grays & icy tones). If you’re in the mood for neutral colors, check out crisp whites.
Quick Tip: If you have blue eyes, wear blue. If you have green eyes, wear green.
Complimentary Colors: blues, greens and purples
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Warm Skin Tones Skin tone: green, yellow, golden and olive The colors that look best with your skin tones are rich, earthy tones in shades of reds, oranges, yellows, greens and browns. If you’re in the mood for neutrals colors, check out the warm grays like mushroom and off-whites.
Quick Tip: jewel tones still look good on warm tones, but deeper in color (eggplant instead of purple, deep teal instead of electric blue)
Complimentary Colors: khaki, gray, olive green, orange and coral.
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Neutral Skin Tones Skin tone: ivory, beige and light olive The colors that look best with your skin tones are blush toned pinks, pastel yet rich berries. If you’re in the mood for neutral colors, check out off-whites or grays.
Quick Tip: most neutrals have hazel eyes and can accentuate the green in their eyes by wearing purples
Complimentary Colors: jade green and placid blue
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Hair Do:
Do: wear your hair down and styled.
Don’t: try out a new trendy hair style or chop off your precious locks.
Pro Tip: we have a partnership with Panache and we can make a hair appointment for your session.
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Make Up opt for a natural or classic look. At minimum, wear foundation, blush, mascara and a lip color otherwise you can look washed out.
Don’t: go overboard on make up (except if you are going for a glam look).
Pro Tip:
go to your salon or we can book an appointment with Panache.
Nails Do:
Skin Do:
go neutral. Your hands (and sometimes feet) will be in your portraits. Nude, light pink or clear are your best options.
Don’t: wear bold or neon polish. Your nail polish will compete with your face and outfit. If you do opt for color polish, make sure it isn’t chipped (or bring extra nail polish with you).
Pro Tip: treat yourself to a manicure & pedicure a day before your shoot.
stay out of the sun or wear sunscreen for the two weeks before your shoot. If you burn easily, redness will show along with tan or burn lines. Remember to keep it natural. If you don’t normally tan, don’t.
Don’t:
lay out before your session. Don’t use self-tanner unless you know you are great at applying it! An exfoliator will help for self-tanner issues.
Pro Tip: go to a professional if you want a spray tan for your session.
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Define your
Style
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Beach Where to start:
Vibe
Our most popular destination is the beach. When selecting your outfits, make sure your style fits. We start on one beach and move to another during your session so you will have the opportunity to change. Mix it up with dresses, jeans and tops. For the most part, you will be barefoot so don’t stress about your shoes.
Extra Tips: Denim is a casual classic. Whether it’s shorts, boot cut jeans or denim skinnies, you can always transform this look into whatever you want it to be. To keep this look casual, keep your top loose fitting and/or flowing. Keeping your colors light and airy works beautifully against a colorful backdrop. You will most likely be barefoot for the shoot. Ladies: make sure to have your toes polished. Neutrals always work best unless you want to match your outfits. Guys: We find long-sleeved, collared shirts work best over t-shirts. It is casual, yet structured and we can roll your sleeves up for a relaxed look.
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Perfectly
Park
Where to start: Portraits in the park are beautiful. The lush greens in the summer to the spectacular display of color in the fall, you cannot go wrong. Choose a local park or your backyard, we will make it work.
Extra Tips: While keeping your color solid, add some texture by wearing a lace, a textured sweater or a fur vest. Make sure your boots or shoes are in good, polished condition. We recommend sublet or delicate jewelry. Layering during the fall can bring a lovely color palette of berries and browns.
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Studio
Classic
Where to start: For a classi look, start with solidy colors and limit your palette to two or three colors. The goal of the clothing is to harmonize, to create a color scheme and to put the emphasis on your family’s faces. You may want to add a subtle splash of color with the children’s outfits. For the adults, accessories like scarves, hats, jewelry, necklaces, etc. are encouranged.
Extra Tips: Dark clothing tends to slenderize. Longer sleeves also thin and flatter. For ladies, it is better to have an ourfit with a waist. For a formal portrait, start witha blend of rich, understated colors. Add a little darkon-dark with accessories. Don’t be afraid to spice it up with a subtle color splash, jewelry or flattering necklines. Lay out everyone’s clothing in the room where your portrait will live. Replace outfits and add accessories until you achieve a complimentary and exciting look. Some eyeglasses flect light and cover the eyes. This is not retouchable. Considering borrowing a similar pair of empty frames from your optometrist or going without.
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