Learn: What to wear for your photo session

Yes, I’m a photographer, I photograph lots of families, but the truth is…I H-A-T-E picking out outfits for photos, guys. Seriously, I hate it. I never know what to wear, I second guess every decision I make and I start getting purchasing anxiety. Many people don’t schedule family photos just because they don’t know what to wear!

That’s pretty normal.

And since it’s pretty normal, I wanted to give you a little heads-up on a few things when you are thinking about what to wear for your maternity, newborn, or headshot session.

So here are my tips that have helped me guide clients through the analysis paralysis of what to wear for your lifestyle photography session:

1. Go with what you know.

If you know it or not, you instinctively wear certain colors. You are always drawn to the same style of home decor. Trust it! That’s probably a good place to start! I like to tell people to dress pretty neutral for photos, that way it will always look good hanging on your wall with your current decor and your decor in your new home 10 years from now! Does your home decor style lean toward the blue family? Make that your neutral and start there. Do you stick with the creams and whites? Look toward that family of colors! “Neutral” isn’t always white and kaki. It’s got its own meaning to everyone!

2. Coordinate, don’t match.

Unless you really want to, not everyone in your family needs to wear white collared button-ups and jeans. Or all the same shirt color. You can coordinate (not match) and everything will come together! String a similar color through everyone’s outfit in different ways and you will have a photo that seems seamless and put together!

3. Think about your problem areas.

Everyone needs to love themselves. Everyone’s body is perfect. This is something we should all know, but sometimes things will still bother you. It’s human nature. If showing your arms makes you uncomfortable, that insecurity won’t magically disappear once you receive your photos back. Have 3 young kids? Maybe the mini skirt isn’t the right choice for your rambunctious gang. It’s hard to pick up toddlers gracefully and worry about your skirt coming up! Think through these things with your outfit before stepping in front of the camera so that you’re making a good positive choice for your future self!

4. Use a sourcing service.

This one is a game changer for me. I’m NOT a shopper (any more, thanks kids). I don’t even know where to start in shopping for dresses or cute kids clothes. I’ve discovered a site called Style and Select…and I’m never turning back. This service leads you to a questionnaire that helps you figure out what each of you will wear! Bonus points that it coordinates your family automatically! NO THINKING INVOLVED (except for picking what you like and don’t like out of the bunch, then hitting the purchase button if you want to buy something new for your people). Personally, I filled out my family member’s information, my favorite colors to use in pictures (pinks, whites and blues – you all know I’m a neutral lover) and then chose items that looked like things that we already had. Of course, Mom definitely got a new dress out of the deal – but Dad’s outfit was easy to pick out of the lineup of suggestions with things he already has in his closet! It’s like pinterest, but way easier and with direct shopping links. This is a service that’s available to all of my clients and I couldn’t be more excited!

I hope that was a little bit helpful to someone out there! Make sure to ask me (if I don’t already just send it to you out of pure excitement) about your access to Style and Select when you book a session!