What to Wear
‘What should we wear?’ I get asked this a lot, especially by Moms that have to decide on outfits for the entire family and by fiancées who dress their guy-which is pretty much every fiancée that ever lived, am I right? 😉 I know it can seem like a daunting task, but it’s easier then you think!
First of all, COORDINATING is great, matching is not! Completely matching outfits are not visually appealing in photographs because each person blends into the next one. You definitely don’t want to look like you’re all in uniform! And it’s not too sexy when a young couple in love look like twins dressed by Mommy. Individuals and their personalities should stand out! You want coordinated outfits that flow well with one another but not match from head to toe. Let’s face it, we don’t walk around dressing alike, so why photograph ourselves that way?
A good place to start is by first picking a few select colors to bring the whole look together. Choose items with rich color. Also, items that are textured can be great detail in photos-even if they’re neutral colors. For example, knits, ruffles, denim.
Next, don’t forget the accessories! A scarf, a hat, a chunky necklace, a great shoe (my favorite) … so many simple options! Gone are the days of “props” in portraits (you know we’re all guilty of a “propy” photo… fake Christmas tree, anyone? Hahaha! – ok, I don’t have any photos of my family with a fake Christmas tree, but I do have one of my oldest as a baby with a fake teddy bear background… yikes! Who came up w/ that one and why did I ever think it was cute?) Modern portraits are about showing the personality of the person. So, instead of thinking about “props”, think about accessories that will bring your outfit a finished look and visual interest… but make sure it’s not so big it takes attention away from the person… a hat, cute… a huge umbrella hat, not so much.
Lastly, layers are important! You can add or remove them creating almost an entirely different look… think jackets, scarves! Structured jackets are also a great way to “hide” the things you don’t want center stage and can give you a polished look. So feel free to bring a bunch of options to your portrait session. Even though they may not all be used, it’s always nice to have options at your disposal.
If you are still unsure of where to begin, go to online stores and check out their current lines for inspiration. Many stores feature their new lines with outfit photos instead of just individual pieces. It doesn’t mean you have to purchase that new line of clothing, but looking at them may give you inspiration on how to put a visually appealing outfit together… you may find you have all you need right in your own closet.
Once you have that first outfit together, pull colors from it to use in other family member’s-or fiance’s- outfit. Use the colors in different pieces, a scarf, skirt or shirt, then throw in some neutrals like jeans or khakis and voila, you all coordinate!