Since I photograph both high school seniors, children and families mostly, I wanted to offer some tips on choosing clothing that will help lend itself to stunning senior or family portraits that you can display for many years to come. What to wear, what to wear, that’s the daunting question as you get ready for your photo shoot. The following gives a little information about color, how it works together, what looks best in front of the camera, as well as helpful hints for seniors, couples and families. That’s the best part about being the photographer, I don’t have to worry about what I’m going to wear.

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Hopefully, the following information in helpful, but if you are stuck, confused, or just downright ready pull whatever smells best out of the dirty laundry, give me a  email (alblueowlphotography@gmail.com), and we will brainstorm together to come up with an outfit that will rock your socks off, or on, depending on how cool your socks are.

A LITTLE ABOUT COLOR: 

Colors can be divided into two main camps, warms and cools. Warm colors consist of yellows, reds, and oranges – basically the colors of a sunset (think warm sun across your face). Cools are blues, greens, and purples (like a chilly forest on a mountain). When deciding what to wear, especially with a group of people (such as family shoots or couples) it is helpful to stick to the same families of colors to have a cohesive look across the photo. Browns and creams go well with warm colors. Grays and blacks go well with cool colors. Jeans match everything. I encourage people to avoid stark white, as it washes out your face and overtakes the photo, pushing the important subject (you!) to the background. Blacks can be very classy, but can also become boring without detail – if you are going to wear a cute black dress, throw in a bright green scarf or deep red lipstick to add some shebang. I recommend colors because they pop the subject of the photo out against the background. However, muted, softer colors flow the best between the subject and the background (think sea-foam green, mustard yellow, maroon, etc.).

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PORTRAITS (INDIVIDUALS): 

When it’s just you, looking cohesive just doesn’t apply, so this is where it gets really fun! If you are doing individual portraits, especially senior pictures, I recommend bringing several outfits. Usually, most people bring something somewhat formal, something casual, and something uniquely them (think soccer star jersey, cowgirl with her hat and boots, or super retro fashionista – don’t forget the props!). As before, colors are fabulous, but so are browns, creams (even really light creams), and grays. Props are always fun too. Flowers, soccer balls, golf clubs, your favorite mirror sunglasses, whatever makes you, YOU. We’re going to be laughing, telling embarrassing stories while hanging from trees, and meandering across session location , so comfortable, casual, and in whatever you feel most beautiful (or most handsome, boys), and especially most CONFIDENT, is what will make you shine. If you just can’t decide – bring it all, and we’ll put you in something legendary.

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

Clothing to Avoid

1. The best thing a family can do is coordinate around a general color scheme, and then mix and match with different types of fabric, prints, patterns, solids, and accents. I recommend families stick to the same camp of colors (warms or cools), or choose three colors next to each other along the color wheel (like blue, green, and yellow). However, avoid being too matchy-matchy as it draws too much attention to the outfit and not enough attention to the subjects (you and your gorgeous family!).

2. Avoid stark white, it does not photograph well.

3. Avoid neon as it casts strong colors on the face and other individuals in the photos.

4. Avoid black as it casts dark shadows in already dark areas, like under the eyes.

5. Also avoid logos and writing across your clothes.

3. Patterns can add a nice contrast and pop to a photo, but stick to one or two people with a pattern, too many patterns run      the risk of visual overload. remember bold prints can sometimes lend themselves to attractive photographs when on a skirt or paired with the right coordinating outfits, but often times they look too busy in portraits if not put together by someone skilled in coordinating outfit selections.

4. Nice jeans look great in portraits, but I do not recommend an entire family or group wearing jeans. I always recommend breaking up jeans with some members wearing solid colored pants or skirts so you don’t have multiple people overpowering the photograph with denim legs.

5. Don’t forget the shoes! They will almost definitely show in some photos, so make sure they go with the outfits..

 

Clothing that Photographs Well

I always tell families or groups to all coordinate but not match exactly. The look of the 90’s of all white shirts and khaki pants or jeans is dated. You want to have texture and movement in your photos. This might mean in the spring a family wears complimentary shades of pastels such as pink, light blue, teal, and cream and in the fall jewel tones such as mustard, navy blue, plum, and cranberry.

Layers look great in photos, as well as fabrics that have texture such as lace and chiffon.

 

Choose Outfits that are Flattering

Typically fitted, but not tight, outfits photograph best. For women, you want a waist line so long skirts with a fitted shirt, nice slacks/jeans and a fitted shirt, or a tailored dress photograph best. Often flowing loose garments without a distinct bodice and waist line tend to make everyone appear heavier in photographs, no matter their size.

Many women are self conscious about their arms, so if you fall in that category, I recommend wearing short, 3/4, or long sleeves in your photographs.

 

Men look great in button down collared shirts, suits and sport coats, well fitting polo shirts, and nice slacks or jeans.

You want to wear something you feel confident in that accentuates your best features and minimizes the ones you are more self conscious about.

 

Think About the Decor in Your Home

Our goal is for you to have portraits that you can hang on your walls for many years to come. I always tell clients to think about the decor in their home when selecting outfit and location choices. You want colors that will compliment your walls and go seamlessly with your decor.

 

Places to Shop for Clothing

For girls- Dollcake, Trish Scully, Joyfolie, Bailey’s Blossoms, Mr Pretty Skirt and Janie and Jack.

For women, men, and boys- Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Dillards, Gap, and Amazon.

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Most importantly, you are here to have fun, and you aren’t going to have fun if you don’t feel like yourself. My biggest and most important suggestion about clothing? Wear what makes you feel good, what makes you feel confident, and what makes you want to keep looking at your pictures for years to come. Don’t know if you should wear your cute new skirt, or if dad should wear stripes or plaid? Throw it all in the back of the car, and we’ll put together something to make you and your family FABULOUS! We’re going to be laughing, jumping, swinging, climbing, running, rolling in the grass, and basically just having a grand ole’ time, so remember, comfy families are happy families! 

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Hair and Makeup

Please make sure your hair is styled (flat ironed or curled or swept up in a flattering style). Please make sure your roots are dyed if you color or highlight your hair and your nails are not chipping. In up close shots you will see your nails, so if you wear polish please make sure your manicure is fresh.

For portraits of women, wearing at least a moderate amount of makeup photographs best. Even if you do not always wear full makeup in daily life, you will find that your face will have more dimension and your eyes and and features will be more stunning if you have full makeup (full makeup does not have to be heavy makeup) for your photos. I do have a makeup artist I work with and recommend for high school seniors or any women that would like professional makeup and/or hair.

Grooming

Please make sure that children have a clean face. I always try to make sure moms use a baby wipe right before photos to remove any food, drool, or fluid from runny noses. Make sure your children have clean hands, as little ones often like to grab snacks or dirt can accumulate under their nails.