What To Wear Guide

One of the most stressful parts of preparing for a photo session can often be deciding what to wear… but it doesn’t have to be! The most important thing is to ultimately choose clothing that you feed confident and comfortable in, because if you are uncomfortable it will show in your photos. I have put together this “what to wear” tip sheet to help guide you when planning your session outfits.

Coordinate! — These days, “matchy-matchy” is out and coordinating is in (and some of the old “rules” don’t apply anymore)! Often having everyone in the same color or outfit comes across a bit awkward in photos. Go ahead and let each family member’s personality show in your photos! To get the flow going I recommend starting with one outfit that you absolutely love and building the rest of the family’s wardrobe off of that outfit. For family sessions, sometimes it is best to pick out Mom or Dad’s outfit first. It can be easier to match children to your outfit choice (they look cute in anything, after all) and it is important that YOU love what you are planning to wear.

Bring your color palette together by mixing shades of your chosen colors onto each family member. Do keep in mind that everyone does not need to be wearing every color, splitting the colors up makes things more playful and less uniform (which is a good thing!).

Add Interest! — Layers, texture and patterns all are great ways to add interest to your wardrobe and add dimension and depth. I always encourage having at least one person in a pattern of some kind (think florals, stripes, plaids etc) and mixing patterns is OK too as long as the fit the same color palette!

Layers are an easy way to elevate an outfit… adding a cardigan, vest, statement necklace or scarf can help your look to appear more complete. Accessories are encouraged! Adding texture to the mix is another great way to increase the visual interest- lace, chunky knit, tights and mixed fabrics all work very well.

Dress For The Weather! — We do live in Wisconsin after all! Dressing for the weather is an important thing to consider when planning your outfits because you want to be comfortable during your session. Adjust for the weather that day, even if it doesn’t go with your original plan. Being flexible by adding or removing layers, such as tights, cardigans and fitted jackets, ensures you will be able to focus on interacting with your family and enjoy your session.

Don't Forget Your Feet! — Remember to include footwear in your planning process, and keep in mind your session setting when making choices. I usually recommend keeping shoe choices neutral and classic and encourage you to avoid your favorite old pair of tennis shoes. I definitely want you to be comfortable, but we don’t want your shoes stealing the show, so keeping your footwear neutral will allow the rest of your outfit to shine.

For in-home sessions it is perfectly acceptable to go barefoot, however if you’d rather not then I recommend wearing shoes as socks tend to stand out and look unnatural in your photos.

Mix It Up On Bottom! — One easy rule to follow for outfit planning is making sure to mix up what your family members are wearing on their bottom half! Try putting your family in a variety of bottoms, such as jeans, khakis, a flowy dress/skirt, colored shorts or textured leggings. This will keep you all looking unique while your overall color palette keeps you meshing well.

Wear What You Feel Good In! — Moms and dads, this tip is especially for you! If you can’t find a dress you love but you rock a pair of skinny jeans, do that! If you can barely walk in heels, there is no harm in cute boots or pretty sandals. I want you to love your images and that starts with loving how you feel in the clothing you choose.

I am always here to assist you with your outfit planning, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you need suggestions or opinions. I love seeing how your family shines in your outfit choices and I am more that happy to be part of that process if you would like!